Axel's POVJosh sits alone, hunched over with his face buried in his hands. The moment he senses my presence, he looks up, revealing eyes red and puffy from crying. The raw pain etched on his face is unmistakable."Josh," I call softly. He stands up slowly, and we meet halfway. Without a word, we embrace tightly. I can't find the right words to comfort him, but I feel his tense body relax slightly in my arms. He clings to me as if trying to convey a silent plea. I let him hold on, knowing he needs every ounce of support. After what feels like forever, he pulls away."Thank you, man," he says, his voice hoarse.I nod. "It's a pleasure, man. What are friends for? Have you informed the rest of the family?""Seriously, man, I don't know how I'm going to relay the news. Jane has been devastated since she saw Mum in that state.""I can tell. But you have to inform them," I say gently."I will," Josh replies. His eyes flicker to Amelia, standing a few steps behind, giving us space but stayin
Harper's POVI burst through the hospital doors, the cool night air hitting me like a shock. Tears blur my vision as I run, my chest heaving with each breath. The world outside is a blur of streetlights and shadows, but I don’t slow down. I just need to get away, to find some space to breathe. I find it suffocating staying around Josh.“Harper, wait!” Axel’s voice calls out behind me, but I don’t stop. I can’t.Lost in my turmoil, I don’t notice the approaching headlights until it's too late. The screech of tires on asphalt pierces the night air. I turn, eyes wide with shock, but there’s no time to react. The impact throws me to the ground, the world spinning around me. Pain radiates through my body as I lie on the cold pavement, struggling to make sense of what just happened.Everything is a haze of noise and confusion. I hear the frantic shouts of bystanders, the blaring of a car horn, and the approaching footsteps. Faces loom over me, concerned and panicked. I recognize one—it’s Am
Ava’s POVAmelia's call jolts me awake, my body aching from a restless night. I haven't slept well, feeling on edge, like something bad is about to happen, but I can't quite figure out what it is."Ava, hurry! H-Harper's been in an accident. She's unconscious," Amelia's voice trembles, choking on her words. My heart races, erratic and wild, as I jump out of bed, fumbling and disoriented. I can't seem to gather my thoughts, moving from one spot to another, unsure what to do next.Harper was home with us—when did she leave? I rush to her room, hoping against hope that I've misunderstood. My heart sinks when I find her room empty, her bed neatly made, no sign of her at all. Panic rises as I dash back to my room, trying not to wake Mom. I quickly throw on some clothes, my mind racing with fear and questions.Her car is still in the driveway, so she must have taken a cab, just like I plan to do. How is she? Is she getting the help she needs? I hope she's okay. The thoughts swirl as I rush
Josh's POVMy chest feels like it’s being crushed. Each breath is labored, and my steps out of Harper’s room are unsteady. The hallway blurs around me as I see the nurse stopping Amelia and Ava from entering. Their faces, etched with worry, search mine for answers.I force a deep breath, struggling to steady my voice. “She’s stable,” I manage to whisper, my throat tight. “But... the doctors are still worried. They’re running more tests.”Ava’s face softens with relief, while Amelia clutches her hands together, her knuckles turning white. Fear shines in her wide eyes. I can’t meet their gazes for long; the weight of guilt is overwhelming. I feel like I’m drowning, with no escape from this nightmare.The hallway is stifling, the low hum of hospital machines fills the air. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my disheveled hair, trying to pull myself together. My mind is a chaotic swirl of regret and sorrow. The image of Harper, lying so still, flashes endlessly in my thoughts
Harper's POVJosh stands tall, and I can’t help but admire his rugged, captivating look. His gray eyes lock onto mine, full of hope, as if wishing their intensity could spark a flicker of recognition. But it's as though an invisible wall blocks any sign of familiarity.I glance at my finger and notice a ring. I try to piece together when and how I got engaged to this Greek god, but each attempt sends a sharp ringing through my head. I wince and cry out in frustration.Ava and Amelia rush to my side, their faces etched with concern. “Are you alright?” they ask, their voices filled with worry.Josh moves closer, gently squeezing my hand. “Don’t force it, Harper. I’ll wait as long as you need,” he says softly, his tone a mix of patience and sadness.The door swings open, and a doctor walks in. We all turn to him, hoping for answers. He’s the same doctor who had earlier checked my vitals and promised to return with more information.Amelia and Ava step back, giving him space. The doctor a
Josh's POVAs I step out of Harper's hospital room, each step feels heavy, and the hallway stretches out before me like it's never-ending. My heart feels like a weight, heavy with guilt and regret. I'm to blame for what Harper is going through right now."Josh!" Axel calls out to me. I look up instantly and see him standing near the exit, waiting for me. With a few long strides, I make my way to him."Have you called everyone on the list I gave you?" I ask, approaching him."Yes, I did," Axel replies. "Jane helped.""Oh, that's good," I responded, relieved."How's Harper? Is she awake now?" Axel asks, hope evident in his eyes.I lower my gaze, feeling a painful tug in my chest, my jaw clenched. "She could remember everyone except me," I say slowly, hitting my other hand with my fist.The look on Axel's face is almost comical—his eyebrows raised, eyes bulging out, mouth agape as if he's just heard the most astonishing thing.Seeing his expression, I let out a long, weary sigh, running
Harper's POVTrue to my mum’s word, I’m discharged from the hospital and pampered by her every step of the way. Yet, I can’t shake the worry about why I can remember everyone except Josh.I glance at the ring still on my finger, wondering if I should take it off since the wedding is postponed indefinitely. My father has decided he won’t walk me down the aisle until I can recognize the man I’m supposed to marry. Coupled with his grief over Mum’s passing, it seems the wedding is on hold for now.I’ve been advised not to force my memory but to live each day as it comes. The bruises on my face are starting to fade, and I trace the scars on my face and arm, feeling their rough texture.Josh hasn’t come to check on me, though my heart often aches for his presence. I’ve been told he’s dealing with his grief and preparing for his mum’s burial.I give myself one last look in the mirror, adjusting my hair and smoothing down my black dress. Heading out of my room, I join the rest of the family d
Harper's POVGathering my thoughts, I take a deep breath and look up at him. “Josh, I want to be honest with you. I’m afraid of diving into something new while I’m still trying to understand what happened to me. I can’t promise you anything right now, but I need to take things slowly.”I notice his expression change, the hope in his eyes dimming slightly at my words. My heart tugs at the sight, but I know I need to focus on understanding myself first.“I get it, Harper. Take all the time you need. I’m here for you, and I’ll wait as long as it takes,” he says, a touch of self-reproach in his voice. "I know I was too forward in asking you out on a date. Gosh, what was I thinking?"I smile gently. "Oh no, Josh, don't beat yourself up over that," I say, reaching out to him. His eyes catch sight of the ring still on my hand, and a small smile crosses his face. "You still have this," he observes softly.I smile brightly. "Yes, I hope it will help me feel that connection with you again.""Ok
Josh’s POVI shut the door behind me, and the sound rang in my ears like a blow. I’m left standing in the hallway, my heart feels heavy with Harper’s words. I can barely breathe, the air thick with the realization that I’ve lost her—truly lost her this time. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. How did it get to this point? How did I let everything spiral so far out of control? All I wanted was to protect her, to make things right, but all I’ve done is push her further away. My mind races back to every moment, every decision that led us here. The anger, the jealousy, the lies. All of it is crashing down on me now. And Nolan… Damn it, Nolan. The thought of him with Harper, the betrayal—it makes my blood boil. But I can’t even blame him entirely. I’m as much at fault as he is.I’ve been a fool. I let my pride and fear dictate my actions, and now, I’m paying the price. I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong. I couldn’t c
Josh’s POV Greg's face pops into the room, and my blood boils instantly. What the hell does he want now? My anger surges, as I seethe, “Can you fucking leave? I’m having time with my fiancée.”Greg opens his mouth to protest, but one look at the fury in my eyes makes him hesitate. He glances at Harper, then back at me, before finally taking a step back, and retreating into the hallway.I can feel Harper’s eyes on me, questioning, unsure of what to make of the situation. The unease between us deepens, and I can feel that something is about to break, something that might be beyond repair.I turned to Harper, my eyes searching hers, desperate to find some sense of hope.“I feel something strong for you, Harper. Please, let's start all over again, I promise to be the man of your dreams, the man who wakes up every morning just to see your face.”Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel the mucus in my nose threatening to spill over. This level of vulnerability was something I had n
I hurried to the doctor as the door opened, my heart racing with hope. “How is she?” I asked, desperate for good news.Amelia and Axel stood close behind me, their expressions tense as they awaited the doctor’s update.The doctor took a deep breath before speaking. “She is stable for now. We’ve run some tests and carried out x-rays on her brain, considering her condition and the memory loss. It seems like she’s beginning to recall bits and pieces. It’s a positive sign, but we need to be cautious. Memory recovery can be unpredictable, and it’s crucial to provide her with a supportive environment.”I nod, taking in the information. “So, there’s hope she might regain more of her memories?”“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “There’s potential for her to remember more as she recovers. The process can be slow, and we’ll monitor her progress closely.”I held my breath, waiting for more information.“The tests show no severe damage,” the doctor continued. “Her brain activity is normal, and there ar
Josh's POV Seeing Harper with Greg ignites a surge of fury in me. It’s like déjà vu of what happened between Harper and Adams. The sight of her arm linked with Greg’s is unbearable.I almost stormed over to them, ready to yank her away from Greg, but Axel grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I had intentionally cut our Atlanta trip short after overhearing Greg's plans to take Harper to a club. Harper, I trust, but I don’t trust Greg at all. He’s involved in shady dealings with women. There are rumors about him drugging them and then using his father’s wealth to cover it up, making it look like the women were at fault. I can’t let Harper become another victim.As I struggle to control my anger, I watch helplessly as Greg, with Harper in his arms, heads for the ground floor. The panic in Axel’s voice only adds to my frustration. I know Harper’s health is the priority right now, but the sight of her with Greg makes it hard to think clearly.Axel’s firm grip on my arm is the only thing keep
After a warm bath, I collapse into bed, finally feeling the exhaustion. The weekend is a welcome break, and I spend it relaxing and doing nothing in particular.Amelia visits and excitedly talks about her relationship with Axel. I'm happy for her; it seems like she’s finally found love.But as Monday approaches, I dread seeing Josh. His silence over the weekend has only made me more anxious, reminding me of how he acted before our trip to Atlanta. No matter how much I try to think about something else, his face keeps popping into my mind, along with the unsettling dream I had about him.I can’t seem to shake these thoughts, and it’s clear that Josh still has a big impact on my life, even when he’s not around.Monday arrives, and I drag myself out of bed, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I get dressed quickly and head to the kitchen for a brief breakfast, trying to brace myself for what's to come.At work, I bury myself in tasks, especially preparing the report on everything that h
I find a space and settle in, pulling out my headphones and plugging them in. As the music starts, it helps calm my racing heart a bit.I wonder if things will be awkward between Josh and me now. His new behavior is confusing, especially when my whole body is still craving his touch.Relaxing back into my seat, I glance at him frequently, but he never turns to look at me. It feels like this is going to be a hell of a ride.I try to focus on the music, letting the rhythm fill the silence between us, but it’s hard to ignore the tension. My eyes keep drifting back to Josh, hoping for any sign that he might look my way. But he stays engrossed in his tablet, completely detached.I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look away and focus on the window. The clouds outside blur as we ascend, and I try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. This is going to be a long, torturous ride, I think to myself, trying to shake off the ache in my chest.I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I
I open the door and find Mia standing there. I sigh in relief when I see it’s her. “Oh, you made it,” I say, still breathless.“Are you okay?” she asks as I step aside to let her in.“I’m fine, Mai. I just woke up,” I reply.“Girl, you didn’t tell me you just woke up! You look all flustered like someone was giving it to you from behind,” she teases."Oh my God," I groan, collapsing onto the bed, realizing I've got another Amelia in Mai.She gives me a skeptical look. “Harper, don’t tell me you just had a sex dream.”I sit up quickly, eyes wide. “Is it that obvious?” I ask.“Oh my goodness, Harper, don’t tell me my theory is right!” she exclaims.My cheeks burn at Mai’s words, her knowing grin only making it worse. I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strangled. How did she guess so easily? I haven’t even processed the dream myself, yet here she is, already connecting the dots.I drop my gaze, fiddling with the edge of my robe. The images from the dream flash behind my eyes v
Harper's POV I nod and say, "Hi Greg. Yes, I know him. He is my..." I trail off, unsure of what to call Josh.I can feel Josh's eyes on me, waiting to hear how I’ll address him. We're not engaged anymore; I need time to process the emotional rollercoaster he’s putting me through. "Yes, he’s my boss," I finally say.I glance at Josh and notice he's visibly angry, his frustration almost palpable.I make my way back to my room, feeling drained after the exhausting five-hour meeting. I drop my bag on the table and quickly change out of my work clothes, wanting nothing to disturb my sleep. It's a relief that I’ve checked out of Josh’s room.In just my panties and bra, I collapse onto the bed. As I settle in, Josh’s presence lingers in my mind, but fatigue overtakes me, and soon I drift off to sleep.I hear a knock on my door and groan loudly. Hastily, I throw on a bathrobe, tie it firmly, and make my way to the door. Unlocking it, I grasp the doorknob and open it. “Josh,” I whisper his n
“Oh, don’t worry, Axel. When we meet in Seattle, I’ll fill you in,” I say, laughing. I know he’s eager to hear what I’m talking about.“Don’t you dare, Josh? Why would you say something like that and then leave me hanging?” he responds in his tone, a mix of playful and frustrated.I laugh loudly, feeling a rare moment of relief. It’s a welcome distraction from everything I’m dealing with regarding Harper.“Okay, okay,” I say between laughs. “I know you can’t wait.”“Spill it, man. What’s the news?” Axel presses.“Trisha’s son isn’t mine,” I say, watching as he falls silent. “Say something, man,” I urge, wondering if he knows something I don’t.“That’s a relief, Josh. I’m happy for you, man,” Axel finally responds.“That’s all you’ve got?” I ask, knowing Axel usually has more to say.He gives a nervous laugh. “What do you want me to say? It’s a relief, isn’t it?”“But there’s something about that child’s appearance,” I continue. “He looks like someone I know but I can’t place it. His e