Disclaimer: Chapter twenty nine and thirty go into dark themes so please read at your own risk!
Harper's lips curved into a genuine smile as she spotted Josie striding down the street toward her. The last days of winter break were slipping away fast, and the looming return to school felt like a heavy shadow. Harper wanted to hold onto these stolen moments of freedom for just a little longer.
In her hands, she clutched a modest bouquet of lilac violets, their delicate petals slightly wilted but still fragrant. The flowers were wrapped in crinkled, worn plastic and tied with a faded yellow ribbon — nothing fancy, but chosen with care. Her eyes glittered with nervous hope, cheeks tinged with pink.
"Aww, thank you, Harp. Violets, huh?" Josie's voice was warm, amused.
Harper bit her lip, glancing down at the flowers. "Yeah... I know they're not much. They were the only winter flowers that looked halfway alive. Do you like them? Are they too cheesy?"
Josie chuckled softly, that familiar flush rising in her cheeks. Harper's awkwardness was endearing—she wasn't used to doing things like this, wasn't used to loving someone like this.
"No, not at all. I love them. Thank you."
Relief flooded Harper's face like sunlight breaking through clouds. She'd agonized over what to get, convinced she'd mess it up. Birthdays and anniversaries should be simple, easy—except when everything was still new, fragile, and charged with meaning.
They'd only been dating two months, and though it took time for their relationship to step out from the shadows, the weight of secrecy had finally lifted. No more hiding, no more pretending.
"So, I was thinking..." Harper's voice dropped to a hopeful whisper. "My parents are working late tonight. As usual. Most of my siblings will be out—Aura's at a game, Jackson's still texting that girl he likes, Cody's with Mills, and honestly, I don't even care where Harriet is. So... want to come over? We can hang out in my room, watch movies. I'll buy snacks. I'll even ask Maria to order us takeaway."
Josie's eyes brightened instantly. "That sounds perfect."
They walked side by side, fingers intertwined, Harper swinging their joined hands slightly like she was trying to freeze the moment in time. Josie was quiet for a beat, then her expression shifted, thoughtful and cautious.
"You really don't like Harriet, huh?"
Harper blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"You just said it—you say it all the time—about not giving a fuck where she is. You always talk about her like she's... toxic or something. Why do you hate her so much?"
Harper's smile faltered. Her gaze dropped, heavy with a weight she usually kept locked away. No one had ever asked her that so plainly before.
It wasn't just jealousy, as most assumed. Something darker simmered beneath the surface.
Six Years Earlier
"Bye, Mariah! Have a good night—see you in the morning."
Harper waved from the front door as the au pair hurried into the rain, her coat billowing behind her like a shadow in the storm. Thunder rumbled low over Glenwood, the lightning painting jagged shadows across the windows.
It was 9:30 p.m.
Jackson and Aura were already asleep on the couch, their steady breathing a soft rhythm in the otherwise silent house. Harper dropped beside them, pulling a threadbare blanket over their legs and settling in.
She barely noticed Harriet thundering down the stairs until her sister rushed to the window and yanked aside the curtains.
"What are you looking for?" Harper asked, curiosity piqued.
Harriet grinned, eyes gleaming mischievously. "You remember that guy I told you about? From the high school party?"
"Uhh... Tom, right?" Harper frowned slightly, recalling the name.
"Yeah. I invited him over. Since Mom and Dad are working late again."
Harper's eyebrows shot up. "Ooh, sneaky. Can I hang out with you guys?"
Harriet hesitated, then shook her head. "Harp... it's way past your bedtime."
"Come on. I'm not even tired. I'll go upstairs the second Mom calls. You won't even notice I'm here! Pleaseee." Harper's voice dropped to a pleading whisper.
Harriet considered her, then sighed with reluctant permission. "Fine. But you have to promise you'll go upstairs when they call, okay?"
"Promise."
After putting Aura and Jackson to bed, the sisters waited in the living room. Harper curled up on the couch, watching Harriet flicker with excitement as she texted on her phone. When the knock came, Tom stepped inside, his cocky grin making Harper uneasy. He was older now—taller, with a sly glint in his eye that didn't sit right with her. But Harriet liked him, so Harper tried to trust.
Within the hour, Harper had drifted to sleep, the rain softening to a gentle pat against the windows. Harriet and Tom sat whispering and laughing quietly on the other couch.
Then Harriet's phone buzzed.
Harper stirred, barely conscious, as Harriet got up, murmuring, "It's Mom. I'll be right back." Her footsteps faded upstairs, her voice a low murmur as she spoke to their parents.
And then—
Harper felt the weight.
Heavy. Unrelenting.
Her eyes snapped open. Fear and confusion crashed through her like ice water.
Tom's face hovered above hers, his hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
She tried to scream.
Couldn't.
She thrashed, panic clawing at her throat. Tom's voice was low and harsh, warning her to be quiet.
And in that moment, she knew.
Knew that something terrible was about to happen.
She fought like a wild animal, every muscle straining for escape.
Footsteps. Harriet's return.
Tom scrambled away just in time, sliding onto the floor and pretending nothing had happened.
Harper sat frozen, heart hammering, breath caught in her throat.
"Harper, come on, it's bedtime." Harriet said, holding out her hand, unaware of the storm raging inside her little sister.
Harper never told Harriet what happened.
Not that night. Not ever.
Because when she looked at her sister... all she saw was betrayal.
A girl who brought a predator into their home and walked away without a second thought.
And Harriet never noticed. Never asked. Never saw how Harper changed.