Page 259 of The Rebel Billionaire

“He says he does.”

“But you don’t believe him?”

“That’s the weird thing. I totally believe him. He’s an amazing man.”

Eli frowns. “Then what’s the problem?”

“What if love isn’t enough? What if he decides my past is… too much? His reputation is everything. He’s the CEO of a luxury brand.”

“And you’re Harper Frazer!”

“I wish he’d never said those words. Then I’d never know the full extent of what I’m losing when he comes to his senses,” I say.

“But why do you think you’re going to lose him?”

I sigh.

“Let me ask you something. How much of Brooke was Harper? I mean the real Harper? Not Harper Frazer, but Harper the woman?”

“You make it sound like they’re the same person,” I say, my brows furrowing.

“That’s because they are.”

“I don’t understand,” I say, turning slightly and putting a little distance between us.

“Harper Frazer is the mask you’ve worn since you became aware of this family’s standing. She’s the woman who studied hard, behaved a certain way…”

I bark out a laugh, raising my eyebrows.

“It’s strange. Alex practically said the same thing.”

“And you don’t believe him?”

“I don’t know, I think you’ve got Harper Frazer muddled up with Kat. Don’t you remember the rebel Frazer, the one who was in the press every weekend? Creating havoc?”

Eli shakes his head.

“I’m not talking about the other mask you donned after Dad died, the one you used to conceal your inner turmoil and pain.”

I swallow past the lump.

How does he know?

“Don’t look at me like that. We all knew what you were doing, and we wanted to help, but as your family, we also knew you had to work through your demons. You’re smart, resourceful, independent and focused. The Rebel Harper was exactly that, a persona designed to mask your pain.”

I flinch.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

He smiles, and I realise the stress he wore like a mask is gone. The man sitting next to me is the man he would have been had Darra never existed.

“What I’m trying to say is, don’t underestimate yourself. Brooke is you, and you are Brooke, you are also Harper. Alex Bianchi probably knows the real Harper Frazer better than any of us. He got to know the unfiltered, unmasked version of the woman you are.”

“He said the same thing.”

My gaze drops to the floor as I take in his words.

Is it possible?