Chapter 14
the didn’t agree in Harper’s proposal, but she didn’t get upset. Instead, she suggested he head to work first, fulfill that old dream of theirs
In bi pond state, be went along with in.
When they got to Lutre. the place was completely renovated. Where the chandeber had crashed was pristine–like the accident had never happened. Harper had tarown series cash at 12 and damage control, and with the temporary cloware, most people had forgotten. The restaurant was actually packed.]|
behind the bar, Mão mixed drinks for customers. Hed become a pilot because Harper once said she thought captains were sexy. He’d taught himself bartending becarim qhe il tentasized about them running a place together someday.
The cocktailshaker moved thuidly in his hands, almost he choreography. People were definitely watching. it was drawing more customers inside.
Harper perched nearby, gushing with approval
|
Mda. Im just an amazed that you remembered everything I ever said. That we can still have this. You know, my marriage was absolute hell. Only when I was going through all that trauma did I realize you were always the one who actually cared about me…
The voice got softer, more intimate.
shin. I get that you’re not ready to be with me yet because of the whole Eliana thang. We can take our time. -1
Then with a deafening crash, something massive slammed into the floor.]]
Milo’s head shot up, his heart practically stopping.
Same exact spot. Same fucking chandelier. Falling again
The scene hit him like a freight train of memory–that night when he’d seen Eliana trapped under the Exture, bleeding and broken, while he’d been too busy protecting Harper to care.
The restaurant immediately erupted into chaos. Nobody gave a shit about their dinner anymore–everyone was filming and screaming ||
Are
e you l ladding me? Another chandeler
der just fell What kind of death trap are you people running here?“]
Holy shit. I remember this place now–this exact same thing happened before! How is this owner still cutting corners on s safety?
“Where’s the manager? Get your ass out here!–]]
As the owner, Harper was instantly in the hot seat. She clearly
arly badart expect
expected lightning to strike twice so fast and immediately turned to Mila with panic in her eyes
“Milo, you have to help me. This was supposed to happen again…||
She expered hun to jump in front of her like before, he her knight in shining armor against the angry mob. But when she looked at him, his eyes were completely glazed
He looked lake he was seeing ghosts, totally unresponsive no matter how frantically she called his name The crownd was getting more aggresive by the second, and Harper was running out of room to back up.
Voce tracking with desperation, she screamed:
“Milot What the back as wrong with you?”
Her yell snapped him back to reality. Seeing the hose crowd surrounding them, pure instinct made him pull Harper against has chest protectively.
But she wasn’t satisfied with just being shielded, Shehut his shoulders, tears streaming down her face ||
“Make them shat up! How dare they talk to me like that!“]}]
Mio went rigid: Last Line, in this exact scenario, Eliana had been the one crushed by Harper’s shiny chandelier. Nearly died because Harper cut corners on safety. And here she was, acting like the victing again
Hi mguth moved soundlessly. He couldn’t bring himself to defend her this those, just held her tighter to block the phone cameras)
But with dozens of people ling, bis protection was basically worthless. ||
And for the first time, standing in the ruins of Harper’s restaurant while she cried about her reputation, Milla fusally saw the truth with devastating clarity!
Eliana had been the victim, Always. And he’d chosen her destroyer every single tuue ({}
The woman in his arms had nearly killed his wife, and he’d helped her cover it up
We’d been protecting the wrong person all along
