End Of Harper Story
Gavin’s expression remained frustratingly calm. “Ruby is family, Harper. She’s been here long before you, and she’s not going anywhere.”
His words hit me like a slap in the face. Family? I was his wife—didn’t that make me family too? Or was I just an inconvenience he had to tolerate for the next two years? I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. “She treats me like I’m an outsider, Gavin. She undermines me at every turn, and you don’t seem to care. I don't know if you are blind or you hate me to the point that you think she is always right.”
Gavin’s jaw tightened slightly, the only sign that my words were getting to him. “Ruby has never done anything to harm you. If there’s a problem, maybe it’s because you’re not trying hard enough to get along with her.”
I stared at him in disbelief, anger boiling just beneath the surface. “You can’t be serious. I’ve tried, Gavin. I’ve tried to be civil, but she makes it impossible. And you just... you don’t see it.”
Gavin sighed, as if he were dealing with a stubborn child. “Harper, you need to understand that this is how things are. Ruby is important to me, and she’s not leaving. You’re just going to have to deal with it.”
“Deal with it?” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was clear that no matter what I said, Gavin wasn’t going to change his mind. He was firmly on Ruby’s side, and I was just a nuisance. “You…you…arrgh!”
Feeling defeated and more alone than ever, I turned and walked out of the office, not bothering to slam the door this time. What was the point? Gavin didn’t care. He never would.
As I descended the stairs, my thoughts raced, frustration bubbling over into anger. I couldn’t believe this was my life now—trapped in a loveless marriage, stuck in a house where I was clearly unwanted. I didn’t know how much longer I could take it.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost didn’t notice Ruby until she snapped her fingers.
She was lounging on one of the couches, wrapped in a plush blanket, looking every bit the picture of delicate fragility. She glanced up at me, unlike her usual coldness she was smiling innocently.
“Harper,” she called out softly, her voice laced with just the right amount of weakness. “Could you do me a favor?”
I stopped, my fists clenching at my sides. “What do you need, Ruby?”
She gave me a small, pitiful smile. “I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather. Could you pick up a prescription for me? I would go myself, but I’m just so tired…”
Her request was filled with fake sweetness, and I had to bite back a retort. The last thing I wanted to do was run errands for her, but I knew if I refused, she’d play the victim and make me out to be the villain. “Fine,” I said, my voice clipped. “I’ll go get it.”
Ruby’s smile widened just a fraction, enough to let me know she knew she’d won. “Thank you, Harper. You’re such a dear.”
I turned away before I could say something I’d regret and headed for the door. Ruby had played me like a fiddle, and I’d fallen for it. Again.
****
The nerve of Ruby, to send me out like some errand girl while she lounged at home, pretending to be sick. It was infuriating, but what else could I do? Refuse and make things worse for myself? Gavin would never take my side, and I couldn’t afford to antagonize him further.
When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I was still seething. I parked and got out, ready to just get this over with. As I approached the entrance, I noticed a few people lingering nearby, their eyes following me with interest. I was used to curious glances—after all, being married to Gavin came with a certain level of unwanted attention. But today, something felt off.
I hurried inside, quickly collecting Ruby’s prescription and heading back out. But as soon as I stepped outside, I was met with the blinding flash of cameras. Paparazzi. Of course. I should have known better.
“Harper! Harper, over here!”
“Smile for the camera.”
“How do you feel about being the other woman in your own marriage?”
The questions came at me like bullets. I tried to keep my head down, to push through the small crowd that had gathered, but they were relentless, shoving microphones and cameras in my face.
I managed to break free, my pulse racing as I hurried toward my car. But just as I reached it, someone grabbed my arm, pulling me back with more force than I expected. I stumbled, my foot catching on the curb, and the world tilted. I felt myself falling, the hard pavement rushing up to meet me. There was a sharp pain in chest, and then everything went black.
When I finally came to my senses, everything was a blur—sounds, lights, voices all mixed together. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy, as if I were sinking into the mattress beneath me. I blinked, trying to focus, and slowly, the room came into view.
Gavin was there, sitting beside me, his face pale and drawn. His usual cold, indifferent expression was gone, replaced by something I’d never seen before. Fear. Real, raw fear. His eyes were wide, and his hand trembled as he reached out to touch mine.
“Harper,” he whispered, “Thank God you’re awake.”
I tried to speak, to ask what had happened, but my throat was dry, and all that came out was a weak croak. Gavin squeezed my hand, his grip tight, almost desperate.
“Why didn't you tell me you were this sick?” He asked, but I felt too weak. My chest. It hurts.
“The doctors…” His voice broke, and he had to pause, swallowing hard before he could continue. “They said you need surgery. Now. There’s no time to wait. If you don’t…”
Before he could finish, the doctor appeared at the room door. “Mrs. Slade we need to operate immediately. Your condition has worsened significantly. If we don’t act now…”
He didn
’t finish, I didn't need him to. This was it. This was death.
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