Page 248 of The Rebel Billionaire

I pull back, gently holding Harper’s upper arms.

Her skin is pale, her face gaunt, her normally glossy hair limp. She looks like she’s lost even more weight.

“Harper,” I say, pulling her towards me once again, needing her close.

She gives me a weak smile. “That’s me,” she says. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you. Mitch delivered your letter.”

Her eyes glisten, and I cup her cheek.

“Hey, it’s okay. I get it. I just wish you felt you could trust me.”

She bites her lip, a single tear tracking its way down her cheek.

“I wanted to… I came so close, but…”

“It’s okay, Mother explained.”

* * *

She motions to the sofa.

“Can I get you anything to drink?”

I shake my head, not wanting polite society Harper. I’m beginning to wonder if Enzo is right, and Brooke is the real Harper underneath.

“You need to sit down before you fall down,” I say, slightly more sharply than I intend.

Harper ignores me and makes her way to one of the sofas. I frown, unhappy with the distance she’s put between us.

“Brooke… sorry, Harper.” I run a hand down my face. “It’s going to take a while to get used to calling you Harper.”

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she says.

“I’m here to say… Fuck, Brooke. I’m so sorry. I know it wasn’t you. I don’t know what I was thinking. You should be raking me over the coals right now. I came to see you, but you’d already left. I saw Mitch, and he handed me your letter⁠—”

She inclines her head.

“I’m sorry too. I should have told you about night school, but I thought you’d think I was like all those other women, the ones you said were using you.”

I smile and move towards her, taking her hand in mine. “I don’t think I would ever have thought that. Besides, you started it after you came to work for me.”

“True, but as you can imagine, telling the truth has been difficult and something I’ve had to navigate carefully. One slip and I was warned that my life and the lives of others could be in danger.”

“Hey, it’s over now. From what I saw last night on the news, they have the guy.”

She sighs. “Maybe, but who knows after he lawyers up. I’ve been told he’s going to be denied bail, as he’s deemed a flight risk due to his immense wealth and connections. According to the powers that be, they have enough evidence, as well as an accomplice who has agreed to testify against him, but until he’s locked up and behind bars… part of me wants to celebrate… finally justice for Dad, but a part of me won’t believe it until he is locked up and they’ve thrown away the key. I’ve been told to trust in the justice system, but we all know it’s not that simple.”

She drops her gaze, her shoulders slumping.

I tilt her chin with my finger, waiting until she looks at me.

“You’re talking about the sex tape.”

She flinches as if I’ve slapped her.

“Brooke…sorry, Harper.”