Page 36 of Your Heart & Mine

Because he knew without doubt that Harper would never forgive him now. The image of her face, contorted in pain and rage as she fled, would be seared into his mind forever. He had vowed not to hurt her again, yet he had ended up inflicting an even deeper wound.

Thinking back, Wyck recognized his dishonesty had tainted their relationship from the start. He had deceived her, knowing the truth would likely cost him any chance with her. That subterfuge had festered below the surface even as they grew closer, an ax blade looming larger and larger simply waiting to fall.

Now the ugly truth was exposed, shattering the beautiful illusion he had constructed. Harper was right - he had used her and their past exactly as her father would have. That realization sickened him. He was no better than Jonah Carrington after all.

Dragging himself to bed only when pale dawn light crept through the windows, Wyck knew sleep would not come. Not with Harper's sobs echoing through his mind. His impatience and cowardice had destroyed the best thing in his life. Now he feared even groveling at her feet might not regain her trust. The mountain separating them suddenly seemed insignificantly small compared to the wall he had built between their hearts.

Chapter twenty-nine

Courage

Themorningafterherdisastrous night with Wyck, Harper could barely drag herself from bed. Her head pounded from crying and her heart felt like a lead weight in her chest. All she wanted was to pull the covers over her head and hide from the world.

A knock interrupted her despair. Before she could respond, Elizabeth barged in, Brenna on her heels. One look at Harper's ravaged face had Elizabeth swearing under her breath.

"That bastard Wyck did this, didn't he?" she seethed, sitting next to Harper on the bed. "I knew he couldn't be trusted!"

Harper's chin wobbled pathetically as a fresh round of tears threatened.

"Oh, Harper," Brenna cried, rushing to hug her. "We thought maybe you two had worked things out. What happened?"

Haltingly, Harper relayed the previous night's events - how after making love, she'd discovered paperwork proving Wyck owned Ward Development.

"He lied about everything," Harper finished dully. "He wanted revenge on Daddy and used me to get it."

"That snake!" Elizabeth exploded, pacing the room. "He hasn't changed one bit from the selfish boy who abandoned you."

Brenna just held Harper's hand, tears shimmering in her blue eyes. Harper was grateful for their support, but wished she could forget Wyck completely. The problem was her traitorous heart didn't want to let him go.

Harper sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I appreciate your support, but we have things to do. No time for self pity today." She tried to put some steel in her spine, and determination in her voice. "We need to meet with the new contractor."

Elizabeth stood, her icy blue eyes narrowing, and her arms crossed over her chest. Harper watched her and silently begged her sister not to continue her tirade against Wyck. She felt foolish enough without Elizabeth rubbing it in; not that she would be doing it on purpose.

A soft knock preceded Mitzi entering, bearing a tea tray. "A little English bird told me my girl could use some tea," she said, handing Harper a mug.

"Thanks, Mama," The hot sweet tea helped ease the lingering tightness in Harper's throat.

Mitzi glanced between her daughters, her eyebrows raised in silent request. Finally, Elizabeth uncrossed her arms and took Brenna's arm pulling her toward the door. "Fine. We'll meet you downstairs in half an hour."

Harper nodded. "See you in a bit."

"Cam told me a little bit," Mitzi started once she and Harper were alone. "But I'd like to hear it from you directly."

With a heavy sigh, Harper recounted the story again for her mother.

Mitzi was silent, gazing into her tea as Harper finished the PG version of the tale. Finally, she spoke in her soft, Southern drawl, "Wyck was always impetuous, but he wasn't cruel. What drove him to such dishonesty?" She met Harper's eyes. "I believe there's more to this than we know."

"How can you defend him?" Harper retorted.

"I'm not defending his actions," Mitzi replied calmly. "But people make mistakes, sometimes terrible ones. It doesn't mean they can't change." She turned to Harper. "It doesn't sound like you gave him much of a chance to explain. One thing I know for sure, you should have the whole story before you make any long-term decisions." Mitzi squeezed her hand and gave Harper a half smile. "Talk to him, Sugar. At least hear his reasons."

Harper hesitated. She yearned to understand Wyck's motivations, but she was so hurt. She didn't know if she could take the chance of reopening her wounds.

Sensing her indecision, Mitzi squeezed her hand. "You need closure, to move forward. And I suspect Wyck does, too."

Seeing the sense in her mother's words, Harper nodded slowly. "You're right. I can't keep running away."

Mitzi wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a hug. "You've always been braver than you know, Sweetheart." She patted her knees and stood. "Now, your sisters are waiting for you. I know y'all have plenty to do."

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