Chapter 253 Can You Forget?
Michael wasn't fooled. Harmony's reaction spoke volumes.
As his words sank in, Harmony's emotions intensified. Tears flowed freely, and though her lips parted, no sound emerged. She buried her face in her pillow, her sobs tearing at Michael's heart.
He had never witnessed such raw despair from her before.
"Harmony," Michael said, taking a deep breath, each word measured and clear, "Look at me. Tell me. Did James do something to you?"
Her cries were so heart-wrenching that they drew the attention of the nurses stationed outside. Michael waved them off, his focus solely on Harmony. "You can tell me. I won't breathe a word of it to anyone."
Several agonizing minutes passed before Harmony choked out, "Michael, James... he hurt me."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Michael's vision swam with a dark red haze as he clenched his fists, fighting to contain the rage coursing through him. "How?" he growled, his voice dangerously low. "Tell me how he hurt you!"
The volcanic anger erupting within him obliterated his usual composure and judgment. His body trembled with the effort of holding himself in check.
Harmony opened her mouth to speak, but the words got caught in her throat. This was a secret she couldn't divulge, not even to Michael. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "It's nothing, really. He didn't hurt me. Please, don't go looking for trouble."
Michael stared at her, stunned into momentary silence. His brow furrowed as he said, "Harmony, you don't have to protect him. Just tell me what happened, and I'll make things right."
Sensing the dangerous undercurrent in his voice, Harmony shook her head frantically. "No, no, it's not like that. He didn't do anything. Please, just drop it."
Her composure was returning, and she clung to her denial because, in truth, James hadn't physically harmed her. The pain she felt stemmed from the sting of rejection, from the shattering of her unspoken feelings.
Even she couldn't fully comprehend the depth of her despair. It wasn't as if she were a stranger to heartache. She had experienced the pangs of young love and loss in high school, and even the abrupt end of her engagement with Jared had brought more anger and sadness than this all-consuming agony. Every breath felt like a betrayal, a reminder of what she couldn't have.
Why was James's rejection so devastating, especially when they had never even embarked on a relationship? Was it the forbidden nature of her feelings, the guilt of betraying Jennifer, or something else entirely?
At that moment, Harmony couldn't bear to dissect her emotions. James's image consumed her thoughts, an inescapable presence in her mind.
"Harmony!" Michael pulled the pillow away, his hands gripping her shoulders, his gaze unwavering. "Don't shut me out. Don't carry this burden alone. I'm your brother, your flesh and blood. Let me share your pain."
His words broke through the dam of her resolve. The weight of her secret, too heavy to bear alone, poured out of her in a torrent of tears and broken confessions.
Michael listened, utterly speechless. He had suspected Harmony harbored feelings for James, but he never imagined they ran so deep, so quickly.
His usual wisdom deserted him. He was at a loss for words.
"Michael, am I a terrible person?" Harmony sobbed, her voice thick with self-loathing. "I know James is married, that Jennifer is my best friend, and yet... I can't stop myself from falling for him. Looking back, I think he knew all along. He tried to warn me to keep away, but I was too blind to see it."
Her words dissolved into a fresh wave of sobs.
Michael let out a long, weary sigh. The situation was far more complicated than he could have anticipated.
"It's not your fault. I never should have let you get close to them in the first place," he murmured, feeling utterly helpless. What could he do? Force James and Jennifer to divorce so Harmony could have her heart's desire?
The very idea was ludicrous.
Besides, James was practically family now, a benefactor who had saved Atticus and Harmony, and recently helped Michael navigate a difficult situation.
And ultimately, it was Harmony who had crossed the line, falling for a man who was utterly off-limits.
Unburdening herself had brought Harmony a measure of relief. She wiped her tears, her voice barely a whisper. "Michael, you can't tell anyone about this. Not Dad, not anyone. Promise me."
"I promise," Michael said solemnly.
"And please, don't confront James. Let's just pretend this never happened."
He gently stroked her hair, his voice filled with tenderness. "Harmony, what about you? How do you plan to move on from this?"
"Can I?" Her eyes were distant, her heart haunted by a pain that intensified with every thought of James. This love, if it could even be called that, had ambushed her, leaving her utterly defenseless.
After her breakup with Jared, she had been confident in her ability to move on. This time, that certainty eluded her.
"I don't know," she sighed, her voice heavy with resignation. "I'll bury these feelings deep down and hope that Jennifer never discovers her best friend's betrayal."
Michael's lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something, but he held his tongue. Instead, he gently wiped away her tears, his touch filled with a brother's love and concern.
The following morning, James rose early, feeling refreshed and energized after a good night's sleep. The snake venom had been completely neutralized.
The thought of the venom brought Harmony to mind. He shook his head, a wave of helplessness washing over him. After a quick breakfast, he joined Edwin in the car for the ride back to Lindwood City.
He had been about to text Jennifer when the idea struck him to surprise her at the clinic instead.
The drive back was filled with lively conversation as Edwin and several senior doctors engaged James in a spirited discussion.
These were renowned practitioners, masters of both theory and practice. Yet, in James's presence, their expertise seemed to pale in comparison. They found themselves constantly surprised by his insights and perspectives, feeling like students once more.
By the end of the journey, they were utterly convinced of his brilliance, acknowledging that some individuals were simply born extraordinary.
Four hours later, James arrived at the clinic, just in time for lunch.
He had only been gone for two days, but Lindwood City already felt like a haven, a place where his heart truly resided. Catching sight of Jennifer from afar, his chest swelled with a wave of longing and affection.
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