Page 14 of Relentless

“She’s entirely off track,” Harper sighed.

“Oh!” Delia exclaimed, sitting tall in her chair. “And I’m sure you saw the wedding post the other day.”

Harper’s blood ran cold. “Not Oakleigh?”

“No, no,” Delia countered, sipping up every ounce of Harper’s explosive reaction.“Maeve.”

Harper pressed out an exhale, regaining her composure once again. “Oh yes, Maeve,” she waved away the thought. “I’m sure her husband is terribly ordinary.”

“A pastor, actually,” Delia’s eyes sparkled. Harper was her puppet on a string, and she was loving every moment of it.

“I suppose she just had to wait out thescandal,” Harper casually surmised, twisting the corner of the napkin and pulling it onto her lap. “I’m not sure she ever had what it takes to be apastor’s wife, I would know.”

“Oh yes, you certainly would,” Delia acknowledged, reclining her elbows on the table. “Remember the sold out women’s conferences?” she mused. “Thousands, Harper — packing the church just to hear you speak.”

“Not including the streaming,” Harper added, giving a shallow sigh. She was nearly misty-eyed as she recalled the esteem she once carried. Those days were long gone, and now, she wasn’t even recognized at her favorite restaurant.

“Like we’ve always said, take control of the narrative,” Delia scolded, something she would have never dared to do in a previous chapter of life. “You let that girl get away with far too much—”

“I did exactly what the publicity team asked me to do, Delia,” Harper cut her off, struggling to control her rising temper. Even though the hype had died down with thethankfully short attention span of the internet, the videos of her public tirade were still circulating. She was convinced Oakleigh had plotted the entire ordeal from the moment she put the microphone in her hands.

“What would you suggest I do?” she asked, knowing Delia always enjoyed offering unsolicited advice.

“I footed the bill for you to fly back there,” Delia shrugged dismissively, unable to keep from flaunting her wealth in Harper’s face. “You were supposed to make peace. I cannot fathom how you managed to make it worse.” Delia’s tone took a judgmental turn. “These kids hold all the power these days with their online followings.”

“Yes, so I’veheard,” Harper bit back, rolling her eyes. She was thankful now that she had opted to keep her sunglasses on. “You know Maeve’s told her terrible things about me. She’s convinced her that I’m some kind of villain.” Admittedly, it had been a while since Oakleigh had mentioned Harper on a livestream. Yet the absence of any communication at all was unnerving, as though she had been forgotten entirely.

“What hold does Maeve have on that girl?” Delia implored, lifting an eyebrow. “Oakleigh’s intelligent, you think she would be able to see through thejealousy.”

“That’s exactly what it is, too,” Harper affirmed, pounding her palm on the table, causing the glass and silverware to clang. “And Oakleigh’s just fueled the fire and made the woman a celebrity.”

“Who would have thought? OurlittleMaeve,“ Delia said with a smirk. “Stealing the spotlight again after all these years.”

Harper ran her fingers down the corners of her lips. “It’s all water under the bridge now,” she shrugged. “What’s done is done.”

“Well — Idohave some good news that might cheer you up.“ Delia paused, lowering her voice. “I’m not supposed to say anything. Rex made me promise.” Her eyes gleamed, and they both knew it was a promise she wouldn’t keep. “Rex is making headway at Pacific Crest.”

Harper was again mid-sip of the saccharine peach abomination when the news hit her ears. “What do you mean Pacific Crest?” she choked.

“You heard what I said,” Delia replied with a stiff, toothy smile, showing all her bright white veneers. “Wouldn’t it just be beautiful to bereconciledwith your father’s church?” Delia clapped her hands together. “Oh, I knew you would love this.”

Harper overlooked the bit about it being herfather’schurch. She was the one who built it up from its humble roots to be the impressive megachurch it was today. She couldn’t deny the thought of being back in control of her destiny felt sweet. Seeing the elders cower to them with apologies would feel like justice served and prove an important lesson to all who had relished in their public downfall.

“Well, wouldn’t that be nice,” Harper replied casually.

Delia tilted her head, her eyes filling with false sympathy once again. “You hang in there, Harper; you’re not alone,” shesaid, reaching across the table and patting Harper’s hand. “We love you.”

Harper clenched her teeth at the familiar sentiment that made her want to flip the table.

“Just think,” Delia continued. “You and Shep just have to make it a little while longer, then things will be back like old times.” Her volume lowered in case anyone might be eavesdropping. “Everyone knows you need plenty of space to make a marriage work.”

Harper adjusted her posture and took another long drink of the peach cocktail, which was actually starting to taste better with every sip. She set the glass down with a gentle clink, her eyes locking onto her smug best friend. Fueled by a spark of optimism, their little game of cat and mouse meant little now.

The end of her dire circumstances was within reach.

“Why, Delia — I surely have no idea what you mean,” she deflected. “Shep and I are just as in love as the first day we met.” She gave a carefree wave of her hand, “practically newlyweddedbliss.”

Chapter 6

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