Chapter 46 I'll Find Someone Who Truly Cares for Me
His long fingers clenched the doorframe tightly. His handsome features were shadowed under a chilling frost. Finally, letting go, he turned and walked away.
Back in the room.
Abigail was at a loss for words. She wanted to help her son, and Harper mend fences. However, her son's self-destructive behavior pulled her leg. 'That scheming woman dares to frame me. It's evident how much Francis had wronged Harper,' Abigail thought.
"Harper, I feel your pain. If it weren't for Dylan's condition and the experimental treatment he's undergoing that can't afford any setbacks, I'd grant your request right now. Can you hold on for just one more month," pleaded Abigail.
"Thank you, Mom. Yes, I can," Harper said, adding, "I'll have someone send up some food for you."
Harper asked for food for Abigail, intending to stay until they could leave together. Suddenly, she was startled by a looming shadow.
"Watch out—!"
Harper's fall was abruptly halted as someone caught her arm just in time, preventing her from slamming into the pillar ahead.
She stepped back to offer thanks, only to be surprised by the sight of her rescuer. "Keith? What are you doing here?"
"Just dropping off a birthday gift on behalf of my dad," Keith said succinctly, giving Harper a once-over to ensure she wasn't hurt before breathing a sigh of relief.
His voice carried a blend of gentleness and concern. "What were you thinking about? How could you miss seeing such a big pillar?"
Lowering her lashes, Harper murmured, "It's nothing, thank you... Senior."
"There's no need for formalities with me." Keith unconsciously reached out, tenderly stroking her hair with a soft expression.
Harper paused for a second, instinctively pulling away.
Keith noticed her reaction, and his fingers stiffened briefly. Then, with an apologetic tone, he said, "Sorry, Harper. You remind me of my little sister. She's also a bit of an airhead."
At his words, Harper felt a pang of embarrassment. 'So, he just sees me as a sister. I've been influenced too much by Francis's antics.
'Why will Keith ever like someone like me?'
She gave a small laugh. "Do you have a sister, Senior?"
Keith nodded, meeting Harper's eyes warmly. "You seem off today. Not your usual self?"
"Maybe just a little tired," she deflected.
Somehow, Harper felt like whenever she was in a bind, Keith was there to lend a hand. She had lost count of the times he had helped her.
But she knew that her troubles could only bring harm to him.
A frown crossed Keith's brow. "If you're not feeling well, why push yourself? Let me take you home to rest."
"Senior, I..." Harper wanted to refuse but suddenly felt a firm grip on her shoulder.
She was swiftly pulled into a solid embrace, a possessive hand pressing her close to his chest.
Inhaling the familiar cool scent, Harper looked up.
Francis's face was dark with displeasure, his gaze icy.
He looked as though she had committed some unforgivable sin against him.
His voice was harsh. "Mr. Perot, thank you for your earlier assistance, but I’d appreciate it if you kept your distance from my wife."
Harper's face turned pale.
'Did he see everything?
'Was he just watching me stumble toward the pillar?'
"Mr. Getty, I meant no harm," Keith said calmly, his eyes tranquil.
He could afford to ignore rumors about himself, but not at Harper's expense.
Francis's eyes were steely. "You'd better not. We're at my great-great-grandfather's birthday celebration, and you're lucky today. But if there's a next time..."
"Enough!" Harper burst out, an icy detachment settling in her heart. She was determined not to drag Keith—an innocent—into her personal mess.
Turning to Keith, she said, "Keith, I'm sorry for any trouble. You go on and take care of your important business."
That single sentence was enough to drive Francis crazy.
'Trouble? Does she seriously consider me a trouble, eagerly waiting to spread her wings and fly away with her Senior?'
Keith nodded, a coolness flashing in his eyes as he acknowledged her request. Not wanting to make things difficult for Harper, he turned and left.
Watching Keith's retreating figure, Harper shoved Francis away with disgust and turned to walk away.
Francis's eyes flamed with sudden rage. He took a quick stride, sweeping Harper up in his arms against her will.
"Francis! Let me go!" Harper struggled fiercely, but her efforts were no match for his strength.
Bam! Francis kicked open a door, set her down inside, and shut the door behind them.
Harper eyed him warily, instinctively stepping back in a primal act of self-preservation after his previous hurtful actions.
Her movement shot right into Francis's heart like a bullet.
"Aren't you going to explain yourself?" His voice was menacing as he closed in on her.
Retreating further, her back against the cold wall, Harper told herself to stay calm, reminding herself she had done nothing wrong.
"Francis, stop being irrational, okay? It was just a random encounter with Keith!"
"Random encounter?" The memory of how Keith had casually hugged her, even tousled her hair, sent Francis's eyes ablaze with jealousy.
He leaned in, and Harper instinctively raised her arms to shield herself, the marks from Abigail's grip still visible. This gave Francis a jolt, quelling the violence brewing within him.
"Just now..." He began, wanting to explain himself, but Harper turned her head away.
She didn't want to listen to any excuses.
'Subconscious reactions never lie.’
'He always chooses Chloe over me.'
At that thought, Harper's chest soured as if a hundred lemons were being crushed inside it.
'People say even short-lived spouses share lasting affections, yet our many days together culminated in Francis protecting another woman by pushing me aside.'
Swallowing the bitterness, Harper said in a trembling voice, "I know you want a divorce. Mom has already agreed. Just bear with it for one more month, okay?"
She could feel his urgency. Today was just a push. If she didn't take the hint, next time, she'd be out of the picture entirely, clearing the path for Chloe.
His expression was tumultuous. She hurried to clarify, "Don't worry, I won’t interfere with you and Chloe during this time. And if you can't wait even a month..."
Her voice trailed off, leaving the silent promise of her departure hanging in the tense air between them.
Francis abruptly cut off her words. His eyes chilled as he said, "I can't wait. What else have you come up with?"
Harper's lashes gave a fierce flutter. 'Indeed, who could truly wait for the one they loved? Here I am, a decade later, still foolishly hoping he would return my love.' She suppressed the sorrow in her eyes, trying to find a compromise.
Unbeknownst to her, a towering rage had already taken hold in Francis' piercing gaze. "Why are you so keen on divorce? Is it because you want to be with that Senior guy?" he accused.
Harper furrowed her graceful brows. 'What does Senior have to do with this? The truth is that Francis no longer wants me.
I had almost been pushed down the stairs by my own husband. Staying calm thus far was rational enough. And yet, I find myself unjustly accused. Even a person made of clay would have the fire of temper stoke within them.'
She scoffed coldly, "You don't expect me to remain chaste after our divorce, do you, Francis? If you can be happily reunited with your first love, then I'll certainly find someone who appreciates and cares for me."
That threw Francis into a visceral fury, a vein throbbing angrily on his forehead. He seized her chin, his voice icy and menacing, "Have you forgotten what I've told you? Do you really want him to disappear from Westerlyn?"
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