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I remain seated at the table, my fingers tracing the grain of the wood as my mind races with thoughts of Ian Humphrey and how he’s managed to haunt Harper’s life like a specter. The idea of him lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, makes me want to put a hole through the wall.
My fists clench involuntarily, knuckles turning white with the strain. What kind of monster torments a woman like that? And why can’t we just make him disappear?
A sudden thought crosses my mind—what if Ian comes here, to our home? The place where Harper and her children should feel safest? I grit my teeth, my heart drumming a furious rhythm in my chest. I’d kill him.
“Can’t sleep either?” Harper’s soft voice startles me from my reverie. She stands in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern as they search mine. Her hair falls in loose waves around her face, framing her delicate features like a halo.
My heart clenches at the sight of her—this beautiful, strong woman who has faced so much and still manages to keep going. It’s impossible not to feel drawn to her, not to want to protect her with every fiber of my being. “No,” I admit, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Too much on my mind.”
“Mind if I join you?” she asks hesitantly, her hands wringing together nervously.
“Please do.” I gesture to the seat next to me, welcoming her company. As she settles into the chair, I stand and move to the sink, filling a glass with cold water. My hands shake slightly as I hand it to her, betraying the turmoil raging inside me. “Here, drink this.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs, accepting the water with a small smile. Her fingers brush against mine for a fleeting moment, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. It’s a simple touch, but it speaks volumes about the connection we share.
“Harper,” I say, unable to stop myself. “We’ll find Ian. We won’t let him hurt you or your children ever again.”
“Antonio told you?” She bites her bottom lip.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“I don’t want to be a basket case.”
“You’re not. This is serious, and you need people who want to protect you.”
She nods.
“Can you tell me more about Ian?”
She bites her lip, looking down at the table as if gathering the courage to speak. When she finally meets my gaze, there’s a fire in her eyes that I haven’t seen before—a fierce determination that speaks to the strength hidden within her.
“Before everything went wrong, Ian seemed like the perfect man,” she admits, her voice shaky but strong. “He was charming, attentive, and made me feel special. But things didn’t stay that way for long.”
My heart clenches in my chest at the pain in her voice, and I find myself leaning in closer, wanting to offer any comfort I can. She continues, her words tumbling out in a torrent of memories and emotions.
“Once I was pregnant the first time around, he became controlling, manipulative…and possessive. It started with small things—who I could talk to, what I wore. Then it escalated into something much worse. He’d throw things, at me, at the walls. He’d slap me around or punch me if I pissed him off. He never laid a hand on the kids, but I constantly lived in fear that he would. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I left him. That’s when he started spreading lies about me, saying that I was a cheater and a liar. And he’s made it clear that he’s not going to give up until I’m his toy again.”
I feel my heart clench when I hear the fear in her voice, and I tighten my grip on her hand, hoping to offer some comfort. She looks down, taking a deep breath before continuing.
Her eyes well up with tears, but she blinks them away, determination shining through. “I’m terrified of him, Hudson. But I will never go back. I’d rather live in fear for the rest of my life than put my children in danger again.”
The intensity of her words strikes me like a lightning bolt, igniting a fire inside me that burns with the desire to protect this strong, beautiful woman. I may not have known her long, but I know without a doubt that I would do anything to keep her safe.
“We’ll make him regret everything he’s ever done to you, Harper. You didn’t deserve any of it.”
As our gazes lock, I can see the hope flickering in her eyes, an ember daring to catch fire. A tentative smile graces her lips, and I’m struck by the beauty of her resilience.
“Thank you, Hudson,” she says softly, leaning into my side. I wrap my arm around her, holding her close.
Something becomes exceedingly clear to me.
I’m hopelessly in love with this girl.
37
HARPER
Asnow-kissed morning greets me as I pad around the kitchen, my bare feet cold against the tiled floor while I make breakfast. The scent of bacon fills the air, mingling with the anticipation of a day off from school for Olivia and Peter.
