Page 29 of Caramel Apple Cupcake

The room was silent.

Athena looked between her husband and daughter helplessly. She had never stood up to her husband when it came to how he treated Harper. The guilt ate at her.

Her mother looked down, ashamed. RJ stared at his father, as if seeing him clearly for the first time.

Her father worked his jaw, conflicting emotions playing across his face. When he finally spoke, his voice was strained.

“I won’t apologize for how I raised you,” he said gruffly. “But I release any anger toward you. You’ve grown into a strong woman, despite my failings. So whatever I did, you prevailed.”As she stared at him, Harper hoped his expression was pride. But she wasn’t holding her breath.

“Then I won’t apologize for walking out of here and never looking back.” She turned to her mother. “I love you, Mother, but your best wasn’t good enough. I know you made a mistake, but no matter what, I was your baby. It was your responsibility to make sure I was cared for. You chose your husband over your child. You sacrificed me and my childhood for a life of safety.” She glanced at RJ. “I’m headed out of town for a week. When I get back, let’s plan lunch. I’m willing to start over if you are.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. Where are you going?”

“Boston for a speaking engagement. Then to see our cousin, Camille, and her family.”

He nodded. “Tell her I said hey. Maybe it’s time I go see them too. Haven’t been up there in a minute.”

She grabbed him in a hug. “That would be nice.”

“Harper,” her mother called out. “I love you. It was just… a very different time. I felt I had to make the best of the situation. I…I love him.” She walked over to her husband and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I accepted his anger. It was what I thought I deserved.”

Harper felt a pang in her heart hearing her mother’s words. She knew her mother had suffered, believing she deserved to take whatever her husband dished out over the years. Although he had never raised a hand to her, he used his words to make sure she paid the price for her betrayal.

Harper’s voice was soft, but there was a hint of anger in her tone. She reached out to touch her mother’s hand, which was shivering. “I know you thought you were doing the right thing,” she said. “But it hurt so much not knowing the truth. I wish you would have told me sooner.”

Tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke. “No one deserves to carry that burden alone without any chance of forgiveness.”She looked up at her mother with love and compassion in her eyes. “I hope one day you can forgive yourself and see that you’re worthy of love and happiness.”

She turned to leave, pausing at the doorway. “I’ll call you when I’m back in town. Take care of yourself, Mom.”

As Harper stepped outside, the evening air felt heavy with the weight of the conversation. She took a deep breath, exhaling the hurt of the past. Looking up at the emerging stars, she felt a swell of hope. The future was hers to shape now, unburdened by her father’s anger or her mother’s guilt.

RJ followed her out. “You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. Catching Anders’ gaze, she smiled. “I will be.”

He studied her face. “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you, sis. It takes guts to stand up to all that.”

Harper managed a small smile. “Thanks. I guess I had to. At least for my own peace of mind.”

“So, what now?” RJ asked.

Harper looked thoughtful as she considered her brother’s question. “I’m not entirely sure,” she admitted. “Part of me feels like a weight has been lifted now that everything is out in the open. But another part of me is worried about what comes next.”

RJ studied his sister’s face, seeing the conflict and unease in her eyes. “Well, you know you’ll always have me in your corner, Harper. Whatever you decide to do.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you.” She glanced around, then took a step closer to Anders. “We’d better get going. I figured tonight might not go well. Anyway, I’ll call you when I get back to town.”

“Alright, Harper..” He reached out a hand to Anders. “Again, it’s nice to meet you. If you’re the man my sister has chosen, then you’re alright with me.” Anders nodded in response before they walked to the car. He opened the door for Harper to climb inside.

A lesser person might have curled into a ball and cried their eyes out. Not Harper. She was ready for whatever came next.

An hour later, they were sitting in Anders’ dining room with her eyes closed. “Why can’t I see what you’re doing?”

“Because it’s a surprise.” She heard a bit more shuffling. “Okay, open your eyes, baby.”

On a plate in front of her was the yummiest dessert she had ever seen. A cupcake with a slice of granny smith apple embedded within a creamy frosting with… nutmeg on top? “What’s this?”

My second favorite dessert. “That’s a caramel apple cupcake. It’s made with vanilla cake, cinnamon, and my favorite—brown sugar. Just like you.”

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