Page 133 of The Truth of Us

He finally looked over his shoulder. "If you are fortunate enough that she gives you another chance..." His gaze held mine. "...don't be something else she needs to survive."

Then he walked out, and for the first time in weeks… I felt like I had finally begun becoming the man she deserved.

33

ELLIOT

You always think… How can it possibly get worse? Then life laughs in your face.

I thought I was making the right choice handing over the information Rowan and I collected to Alexander, figured he’d get closure, maybe handle it quietly. I did not think he would go nuclear, and the media shitstorm has only gotten worse because of it. He held a ‌press conference calling his father out, the women who lied, and everyone else who was involved.

Did he stop there? Nope!

I see where Harper gets her steel and fire from. The man went to every major outlet with an official statement, exposing decades of manipulation inside one of America’s oldest families. He announced that he and any organization he is tied to has permanently severed ties with his extended family. That the only family he recognizes, or will be associated with, is his daughter and sole heir, Harper Lane Montgomery.

Every headline is about the Montgomerys, and everyone wants to get closer to Harper.

In the executive boardroom, the drone of the board members fighting over each other… wanting to know how we can capitalize on this. Even my parents called and I cannot remember the last time I heard from them. But I am now directly linked to the Montgomery heir and suddenly I exist.

I sigh and look down at the articles in front of me.

Montgomery Patriarch Accused of Orchestrating Affair Scandal

Twenty-Year Cover Up Alleged

Was the Tragic Crash Built on Lies?

The board is happy that no one is talking about the long line of women that came before Harper, because now the focus is on her family… her name.

“Did you know this would happen?” I hear someone ask. But all I can think about is how Harper is handling all of this.

Everyone in the room debates whether Northwell should distance itself or take a stand, choosing a side. But I barely hear the debate because Rowan walks in, and I can tell by the look on his face that I will not like what he says. He moves past everyone, ignoring the protests about interrupting the meeting that, let's be honest, I had completely checked out from.

"We've got another problem."

Everyone immediately quiets, and I wonder how that is even possible. But I should know better at this point.

"He's trying to get to Harper."

The room is silent for just a moment; I know immediately who he is talking about. But Alexander must have known they could become desperate. That if they had fabricated an affair to separate Sophie from the family, ‌they would absolutely bypass him to get to Harper directly.

Rowan tosses a folder in front of me as he explains that her security has intercepted him twice at the townhouse property, and now he has been constantly sending gifts, letters, requests to meet, to explain his side. He even had his lawyers try to get to her. The old man has even been manipulating old family connections, trying every avenue to get to her.

It would almost seem sweet, the effort a grandfather put in to get access to his grandchild. Except for this has nothing to do with missing Harper, or who she is as a person. It has everything to do with people like him thinking blood matters, that legacy matters. And now, with Alexander attacking his family publicly, Harper is their last chance at continuing their dynasty.

Rowan’s voice is louder than the rest, but someone on the board says, "Surely security has this handled."

I am sure they do, but I have this feeling that I cannot ignore. So I stand, grabbing my jacket, and move past the group of disgruntled men. I hear them shout my name, and Rowan barking at them. The doors closed behind me, and the noise disappeared. But I am focused, moving with a need so desperate. I need to see her. I need to make sure she is okay.

I move on autopilot, my driver waiting for me as soon as I get outside. I gave him the address and don’t bother calling or messaging her. I am not sure if she blocked me or changed her number, or has just ignored me. But I need to look into her eyes, because she can lie to me over ‌text. But she cannot hide from me when we are face to face, even if she tries. I see her now.

I silence my phone when the drone of notifications becomes too much. We make it to her townhouse in good time, and as I step outside, a black town car pulls alongside me. It stops beside me and the back window lowers.

I am not surprised to see him here, but I am surprised by how raw he looks. That he is letting me see it. He studies me for a moment, then looks behind me to the house and then back, saying, "I sent her home."

I know they have multiple properties, so that doesn’t give a lot to go on. I consider messaging Rowan. He has been oddly helpful lately, and I wonder if that has to do with Sofia being back at the office. Although the tension between them is still off the charts, and I wonder what Harper would say...

Alexander continues, pulling me back to the matter at hand. “I told her everything before I went public, and she didn’t take it well. I needed her to be safe so I could focus on what I need to do…” He paused for a moment, looking at the house behind me before continuing, "I always wondered. I suspected, even looked into it… but I found nothing on them and I…”