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Pulling out a chair from behind the desk, I straddle it and lean my forearms on the backrest. “You’ll have to send them to London. I’m leaving.” With everything that’s happened, I can’t get out of town fast enough.
Juliette plucks the pencil from her lips. “You’re not due back for another couple of weeks.” Tossing the pencil on the desk, she takes a seat next to me. “What’s happened?”
What’s happened?The woman I love is a lying, scheming fucking cheat. My father is just as bad. If he weren’t already in the hospital, I’d put him there. “I’m needed at the London branch.”
“What about Harper, will she be joining you?”
“We broke up.”
Her eyes widen. “Why?”
Because she had her sights set on my father.My father!Nausea rolls in my gut. “Everything about her is a lie. The reason she left me nine years ago, why she’s working at Alessi’s, and her lov…” I choke on the wordlove. That was the biggest lie of them all. The one that killed me the most. For the second time in my life, Harper has ripped my heart out. “Her feelings for me.”
Juliette picks up her fan and waves it in front of her face. “You need to explain from the beginning.”
I give her a recap of last night’s events. Her face is expressionless as she listens. I hand over my phone to show her the incriminating photo. Her eyes narrow at the screen.
“Did you ask her for her side of the story?”
With a frown, I say, “Why would I? The photo says it all. My father even admitted it.”
She taps her fan on the screen. “So, you’ve looked at this photo and have assumed she’s up to no good with Marco? To me, this looks like a tense situation. Harper does not look at all comfortable.”
Jumping up from the chair, I pace the room. “Hetoldme what happened. Told me she’s been trying to seduce him.”
Juliette pushes from the desk and rises. “I’ve known Marco for years…you’re a big boy now, so I’ll tell you a little secret. He’s no saint. After your mother passed away, I watched him pursue many women. Sometimes a little too eagerly. And when these women reject him, he has not behaved in a gentlemanly manner toward them. That photo could be something entirely different from what you’re thinking. Have you considered that maybe it’s Marco who’s not telling the truth?”
I abruptly stop my pacing. “Are you saying my father has been inappropriate with women? With Harper? That’s fucking ridiculous.”
Dropping her hands on her hips, Juliette gives me a sad expression. “Not inappropriate, but pursued a woman too strongly when feelings weren’t reciprocated.”
My father isn’t like that. He plays golf and hangs out with his buddies. I’ve never seen him with another woman, much less pursuing one. But how would I know for sure? I live in London for most of the year. How would I know what he does when I’m not around? No, surely Hayden or Lucas would have said something if it were true.
“My father’s not like that,” I say. “Harper wants to get her claws into his money.”
Juliette sits on the edge of the desk. “What I see when I look at that photo isn’t Harper looking at Marco with any kind of affection. Again, I’d say she looks uncomfortable. Whenever she looked at you, her face lit up with love. If you believe there’s nothing more to the story than Marco’s rendition, then you’re a fool. I haven’t known Harper long, but I know for certain there’s not a malicious bone in her body. Listen to her side before you judge.”
I can’t stay and listen to Juliette defend Harper. “I gotta go.”
“Just think about what I said before you make any hasty decisions,” she calls after me as I leave her office.
On my way out, my phone beeps with a message.
Harper.
I don’t want to open it, yet my finger swipes the screen.
I need to talk to you. Please let me explain.
Tilting my head to the ceiling, I blow out a breath. Juliette’s words run through my mind.If you believe there’s nothing more to the story than Marco’s rendition, then you’re a fool.Do I listen to Juliette and let Harper tell her side of the story? Why would my father lie? No…she’sthe liar. I don’t need to hear Harper’s side of the story.
Ignoring her message, I slip the phone into my jacket pocket. She buried herself in this mess. I’m not fool enough to fall for her lies again.
It’s over. For good.
Chapter Forty
HARPER
