Chapter 567 With My Children, Who Do You Want to Marry?
Harper's eyes snapped open, and she immediately locked eyes with someone. The eyes staring back at her were deep, captivating, and had a dangerous allure. Behind those mesmerizing eyes was a familiar, handsome face.
For a second, Harper's mind went blank. She blinked hard, thinking she was hallucinating. How could Francis just show up out of nowhere?
Their eyes met, and Harper wanted to say something, but no words came out. They just stood there, staring at each other, neither one breaking the silence. Harper even thought she might be dreaming, but it felt way too real.
"How did you get here..." Before she could finish, Francis grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the window. The realness of it told Harper this wasn't a dream. Francis was really here, and at her wedding, no less.
Suddenly, she was wrapped in a long coat, which blocked out her view, and then she heard the sound of glass shattering. Before she could react, she felt herself being lifted as Francis held her tight.
She felt herself being carried over something high and then shifted into a different, more uncomfortable position in his arms.
With her head covered, Harper couldn't see a thing and clung to his arm in panic. "Francis, what are you doing?"
Just as she was freaking out, Francis gently set her down on something soft and comfy. He took off the coat, and Harper opened her eyes to find herself sitting in a car. There were some bloodstains on Francis's arm, probably from jumping through the window.
Harper looked around and realized the dressing room window wasn't far from the guest parking lot. There was a small locked gate in front, separating the areas, but it was already open, likely thanks to Francis.
Francis replied, "Taking you away."
"What?" Harper thought she must've misheard or that Francis was joking. Otherwise, how could he say something so crazy?
To actually take the bride away from the Perry Family's wedding banquet—was he nuts?
"Francis, stop joking. I... I need to go back." Harper felt a strong, almost suffocating aura from Francis. At this moment, she didn't want to provoke him, but she couldn't let him go off the deep end either.
She said, "Go back. I'll ask Vincent to let you leave."
Today's wedding was invite-only. Since Stanley's death, the two major families of Emerald Isle had felt the terrifying power of Northfield and had beefed up their security. Based on the principle that they wouldn't attack unless provoked, they wouldn't easily let intruders go. If they allowed others to run wild, Emerald Isle would become a laughingstock, unable to even defend itself.
So Harper was really worried about Francis's situation. After all, he wasn't invited, and this was trespassing. If caught, it would be a big problem.
Harper glanced at the bleeding wound on his arm and felt a pang of sympathy. She untied the white gauze from her arm and handed it over, asking, "Your arm's bleeding. Want me to bandage it?"
Francis stayed silent, just staring at her with those deep eyes. Harper's heart twinged, and she figured since she was already worried, she might as well help him out.
"How about I bandage it up, and then you go back, okay?" Harper used a gentle, negotiating tone.
Seeing that Francis didn't object, she assumed he agreed. She unbuttoned his sleeve, gently rolled it up, and used a tissue to wipe the blood off before bandaging it.
Harper focused on bandaging his arm, tying a neat knot after a few wraps. Once done, she noticed his arm was much thinner than before. Had Francis not been taking care of himself? How could he let himself get into such a pitiful state?
But no matter how much she felt for him, Harper knew she had to get back before anyone noticed she was missing to avoid causing a scene. She let go of his arm, but he suddenly pulled her hard, holding her tightly in his arms. Harper's heart pounded as she was held by Francis, flustered and at a loss.
This embrace was as warm and strong as before. The familiar cool scent of Francis filled her nostrils, so calming and soothing. In a daze, Harper felt like she was back at the beginning, during their most tender and loving times.
Back then, there was no Chloe, no Audrey, no Keith to disrupt them. It was just Harper and Francis. On workday mornings, Francis would hold her like this, reluctant to let go.
At this moment, Harper suddenly wanted to indulge herself, to lose herself in this embrace. Not to think about curses and hurt, just to purely enjoy this rare hug.
Harper told herself, 'Just indulge for five minutes.'
After five minutes, they would return to their respective realities.
The car was incredibly quiet. The two of them just hugged, neither speaking, as if afraid to break the current peace and beauty. But time always flew by, and five minutes passed in an instant.
Harper hurriedly pushed Francis away and said, "You should go."
She was now being targeted by mysterious assassins. If Francis stayed with her, he would be in danger again. She couldn't be so selfish; he had already been on the brink of death for her many times.
Maybe, as Audrey said, being together would only bring misfortune to each other.
Seeing Harper push him away without hesitation and continuously urge him to leave, Francis's eyes dimmed.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" Francis asked.
Harper bit her lip and said, "No."
She didn't like to drag things out; once she made a decision, she wanted to be firm about it.
"Really?" Francis looked at her intently.
There was an indescribable hurt in his eyes, making them look incredibly deep. Harper's heart clenched hard at the sight, but only for a moment. She then lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Thanks for coming to my wedding, but Emerald Isle is in a special period right now, so I can't invite you to stay."
Harper actually had her own reasons. She had already experienced the pain of watching the person she loved dress in wedding attire for someone else. She didn't want to experience standing on the stage in a wedding dress while the person she loved was in the audience as a guest.
Once she decided to cut ties, she wanted to do it cleanly.
Harper said, "I need to go back, Mr. Getty. You should have heard of the Perry Family. I advise you not to do something so dangerous."
Francis ignored Harper's advice. He slowly reached out and caressed Harper's beautiful face. "Harper, you're lying to me."
Harper gazed into his eyes, the depth of which seemed to pull her in. She tried hard to control her emotions, to lock away her heart, not letting any signs slip. If they stayed any longer, both of them would be in danger.
Feigning impatience, Harper said, "Francis, why would I lie to you? As you can see, I'm getting married."
"You're not sincere." Francis suddenly lifted her chin and planted a domineering, forceful kiss on her tender lips without hesitation.
"Francis..." Harper's voice was swallowed by Francis. He gripped her jaw, pressing his body tightly against hers, deepening the kiss.
Harper instinctively raised her hand to push him away, but Francis grabbed it with one hand. She struggled violently, initially hoping to break free from Francis's single-handed grip, but stopped when she felt something wet.
She remembered that Francis's arm was injured. The wetness she felt was likely the gauze soaked with blood. Harper's heart softened, and she was unwilling to touch Francis's wound again.
Taking advantage of this moment, Francis held her even more dominantly, his passionate kiss pressing hard against her lips. He easily pried open her soft lips and entwined their tongues.
Faced with Francis's strength, Harper had no power to resist. She was extremely annoyed that he would kiss her in such a situation. Now she was Vincent's bride, even if it was fake, and Francis didn't know that!
Her body couldn't handle the strain, and she had to give up struggling. But this seemed to send a signal, making Francis kiss her even more wantonly, as if trying to make up for all the lost time.
Harper was kissed until she was gasping for air, letting out a pained sound. That sound of discomfort was more effective than any struggle. Reluctantly, Francis had to pull away from her lips to let her breathe. But he still held her in his arms, unwilling to let go. His movements were gentle, as he was afraid of hurting the babies in her belly.
Harper slowly regained her breath and some strength. She immediately tried to push him away, but Francis caught her hand and gently held it in his palm. Francis's eyes, tinged with a hint of red from the earlier frenzy, were cold as he said, "You're carrying my children, and you want to marry another man?"
The mention of the children snapped Harper's mind back to clarity. She had to protect the children and keep Francis from getting hurt.
Harper took a deep breath and said coldly, "They're MY children. We have no marital relationship, so I can marry whoever I want."
Francis was deeply hurt by the indifference and coldness in her eyes. Just moments ago, he had tasted her sweetness, but now she seemed so distant.
Francis's voice was hoarse and cold as he said, "I don't allow it."
Harper sneered, "I don't need your permission, Mr. Getty. My wedding is real!"
This seemed to reference Francis's fake wedding, showing how much Harper still cared about it.
Francis's deep eyes stared at her as he said in a low voice, "That wedding was fake, and you know why..."
"Mr. Getty!" Harper interrupted him coldly, saying, "I don't need you to love me under the guise of doing it for my own good. Do you understand?"
Francis's face turned pale instantly. Harper didn't pause, her words nearly cruel, "So when you made that choice, we were already over."
"No, Harper, we're not over." Francis clung to her hand, his eyes red, as if tears would fall any second. "I don't agree."
"Mr. Getty," Harper said, her eyes filled with tears, "Do you know how much pain I went through? In your so-called plan to protect me, all the hurt I suffered was real. Even if I understand your reasons, it doesn't change the fact that I can't love you again. I want a stable life, to find a husband who won't hurt me in any way. Can you understand that?"
Everything Harper said at that moment reflected her true feelings. She felt very conflicted.
She was grateful for everything Francis had done for her. But recalling the days when his plans hurt her, she felt immense pain and didn't want to forgive him.
Moreover, the fact that this relationship brought pain and hurt to both of them might indicate that it wasn't a good one. Maybe, taking this opportunity to completely sever their ties wasn't a bad thing.
Harper couldn't be as reckless as Francis. Now she had three children. She needed to protect her life and be responsible for each child. And Francis had his own responsibilities; he couldn't always be in danger because of her.
Harper convinced herself that their being together was a mistake, and it should end here.
Francis fell completely silent, his handsome face as pale as a sheet of paper. It felt like a huge hole had been torn in his heart.
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