Page 125 of The Truth of Us

“Did your father approve of him?”

“Miss Montgomery, is history repeating itself?”

I saw her flinch. Barely. Not enough for the cameras, but enough for me.

It felt like my stomach dropped.

A reporter pushed louder. “Was the affair scandal the reason Alexander hid you?”

The mob of reporters was pushing in closer. Alexander turned, and security tightened around them. But Harper stopped walking just for a second, but I saw it happen. The brief pause, her breath catching, the girl under the woman. And finally, finally, I understood what choosing someone looked like. It was not a contract or a strategic arrangement. It was not saying the right thing when it was convenient. It was stepping into the line of fire when every smart person in your life told you to stay back. I got out of the car. One reporter noticed me. Then another.

“Mr. Vale!”

“Elliot!”

“Mr. Vale, did you know Harper Montgomery’s identity?”

Half the crowd turned. I stepped forward. Security moved toward me, but Alexander saw me.

His eyes narrowed. For one second, neither of us moved. Then he looked from me to the cameras, to Harper, and then back to me. He understood before I said a word. His expression did not soften, but he gave the smallest nod.

I walked directly toward the press line.

“Mr. Vale, did you target Harper Montgomery?”

“Were you aware of the fortune?”

“Was this a PR relationship?”

“Did she leave you?”

“Did you leave her?”

“Did Alexander Montgomery threaten Northwell?”

“Enough.” I didn’t yell; I didn’t need to. Cameras shifted, and microphones lifted in my direction. Behind me, I could feel Harper still standing there. But I did not look back. If I looked at her, I might lose the nerve to do what needed to be done.

“You want a statement?” I said.

The crowd quieted by degrees.

“Fine.”

A camera flash went off, then another, but I kept my eyes forward.

“Harper and I were in a real relationship.” A ripple moved through the reporters as I continued, “She did not pursue me. She did not use me. She did not gain access to Northwell through me.” I swallowed. “I pursued her.” My voice remained steady. “I wanted her.” The admission hit differently. Because it wasn’t planned or polished. It was true. I wanted Harper with every fiber in my body; I just didn’t understand the magnitude of why. “And I hurt her.” I heard a few reporters shout, but I kept going. “That is the extent of what any of you are entitled to know about our relationship.”

A woman near the front called out, “So she ended things because of your reputation?”

“No,” I said. The word came out sharp, but I continued. “She ended things because of my choices.”

Silence, beautiful, damning silence.

“And I will not let anyone in this crowd or any publication twist that into something ugly about her.”

A man pushed forward. “Did you know she was Alexander Montgomery’s daughter?”

“No.”