Page 260 of The Rebel Billionaire

Is Brooke the person I would be without my last name? If it hadn’t been for the stress of the situation, I would have been more open, gone out for coffee with my new friends, gone to dinner and held hands with my boyfriend in public.

“He sounds like a sensible man.”

“But Eli, you of all people know how dangerous it is to get into a long-term relationship because of a baby.”

Eli shrugs. “That’s a completely different argument. And let me say, there’s one major difference between your situation and mine. I never loved Darra, not the way I should have or needed to. I was young and in lust, and she was always there. I’m not sure if you remember, but we’d split up before she announced she was pregnant with Lottie. I’d already called time on our relationship, knowing there was no future.”

“But what if Alex⁠—”

“He’s not a child, Harper. He’s a grown-arse man, older than me,” he says, his lips twisting. “But we won’t dwell on that. From what you’ve said, he wants to get to know you, the real you. Relationships take time and effort. And if the worst happens and it doesn’t work out, he can still be a father to this child without you being together. I’m not saying it will be easy, but it can be done.”

I rest my cheek against the cold glass of the window and stare out at the flower-filled garden.

“If it helps, when Pen told me she was pregnant, I was over the moon. I’d have flown halfway around the world and begged her to come back to me. I couldn’t wait to bring a child into the world with the woman I love. That’s the difference when you truly care for someone. And Alex came all this way without knowing. He came for you.”

He grips my shoulder, squeezing gently before standing up.

“Whatever happens, Harper, you have a family here who loves you and will love and welcome your baby. You’re not alone in this, and you never will be. We’ll all support any decision you make.” He smiles. “I hate to say it, but Alex seems like a good guy.”

I rise onto my knees and throw my arms around him.

“When did you get so wise?” I sob into his chest.

“Hey, I’ve always been wise,” he says, prompting me to pull back and stare up at him. “Okay, okay, maybe not always. It happened when I pulled my head out of my arse and opened my eyes, letting a wonderful woman in.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Anytime, kiddo.”

CHAPTER 78

ALEX

Caleb and April’s house is stunning, or at least will be when all the renovations are complete. Apparently, the builders are on holiday, so we have the place to ourselves. Harper decided she wanted to be away from her siblings so we could talk.

I’m apprehensive. We spoke, and they seemed to accept me, but there are aspects of our relationship they may decide they don’t want for their younger sister.

The front door is open when I arrive, so I knock and enter.

Harper is inside, staring up at the mezzanine balcony and sweeping staircase.

“It’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished,” she says, turning to face me with a smile. “It existed only on a piece of paper when I left. So much has changed.”

Her tone is wistful, but I can sense her underlying pain.

I move to stand next to her. My heart is speeding up.

“Harper?”

She slides her hand into mine, interlacing our fingers.

“I don’t know what the future holds. I should have trusted in us enough to tell you the truth. I’m sorry, Alex.” She pauses.

I take her other hand in mine and stare down at the woman I love. A woman I don’t want to live without.

“You need to stop apologising. I get it. Do I like the fact that we had to meet under these circumstances? Hell no, but that has nothing to do with you or my feelings.”

She inclines her head, her eyes scanning my face.