3. Goodbye, Ex. Hello, Stranger

HARPER:

Well, fuck it. She could have the house. Hell, she could have Alexander too. I was done fighting for people who had never fought for me.

Strangely enough, I wasn't crying. Which was shocking, honestly. I used to cry over everything. Sad movie? Cry. Burnt toast? Cry. Alexander ignoring me for three days? Cry. Cry. Cry. Like my life depended on it.

But that day?

Nothing.

He had signed his name like he had signed for a package delivery.

I laughed.

“Three years,” I muttered. “Three whole fucking years, Harper. Congratulations. You played yourself.”

It didn’t take time to pack my bag. Everything I owned fit into two suitcases. Minimalist queen. Love that for me.

This was it.

I packed my bags and walked out.

The hallway stretched before me and I thought about the first time I caught him with Rowena.

I had come home early from a doctor’s appointment. The bedroom door was open. Neither of them heard me.

Afterward, he bought me dinner. A fancy place with dim lights and soft music. He didn’t touch me much, didn’t say much either but he looked at me across the table and said, “It won’t happen again.”

And I believed him.

The second time, he apologized. Not with gifts or anything, he just said. “I made a mistake.”

I believed him again.

The third time, he bought me a necklace.

One million dollars.

I had unwrapped the box in this very hallway.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

And I forgave him.

Again.

Because loving him felt like being young, holding onto something even when it hurts, even when everyone tells you to let go, because you don’t know how to live without it.

This was the fourth time and I was finally done counting.

I pulled the suitcase behind me. I didn’t cry. I didn’t look back because I had already done enough of that for three years.

I should have taken my car but he was the one who had bought it for me and so, I decided to take a taxi. I wanted nothing that would remind me of him.

I didn’t know where I was going to but tonight, I would spend it in a hotel. I needed to gather myself first.

And then, the sound of a horn snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned. I didn’t see the car until it was too late. My body hit the ground, pain exploding through my skull.

Then everything went black.

*****

I woke up to a blinding headache. Every part of my body hurt.

”Harper,” I turned my head to see Dr. Ross standing in front of me. “How are you doing, pretty girl? I’ve been seeing your face lately.”

She moved closer, checking my vitals.

I smiled through the pain and sat up. My hands fell to my stomach. “How is my baby?”

“Don’t worry,” She said, caressing my hair. “Everyone is fine.”

“I’m scared, Ross.”

“What’s wrong?”

“What if Alexander finds out about the baby? Won’t he want to demand custody of his children?”

She dragged a hand down my chin. “Then we keep it a secret.”

A lump rose in my throat. I nodded slowly. Somehow, those five words made the future seem a little less terrifying.

"Did he even come?”

Ross didn’t need to ask who I was asking about. She knew who I meant and she shook her head.

“No.” She looked away. "But someone else did.”

I raised a brow. “Who?"

She shrugged.

*****

I wasn’t supposed to be walking around. Doctor’s orders. But when have I ever been good at following instructions? Exactly.

“Did you hear about that woman?” I heard a nurse say and I slowed my steps, pressing myself against the wall.

“Which one?”

“The one who had a small knife cut and her husband refused to leave her side all night.”

“Oh! The CEO, right? Banks Corporation?”

My heart stopped. They were talking about Alexander. I leaned closer to hear more.

“Yeah. He’s such a good husband.”

I scoffed. Good husband, my foot.

“Meanwhile,” another nurse added. “There’s that other woman who got into an accident. She had no visitors, poor thing.”

Ouch.

I didn’t expect it to hurt that much. I had heard enough. I pushed off the wall and kept walking. My IV pole squeaked behind me.

I paused at a half open door because inside the room was my husband…no… My ex-husband sitting beside another woman’s bed.

Rowena.

She looked fragile under the hospital lights. Her blonde hair spread across her shoulders and her hand resting on his.

He looked down and kissed her fingers.

My chest tightened. The IV needle pulled at my skin.

“It hurts…” Rowena said weakly.

“I know,” he replied softly. “I’m here. What did the doctor say about the baby?”

My balance faltered.

Baby. No. No. No. She was pregnant? How long has this been going on? How long had I been a fool?

My hand trembled. The pole squeaked as my back hit the wall… Alexander turned and before he could see me… strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back away from the door.

My heart raced. I struggled against the grip.

“Let me go…”

The rest of the word died in my mouth the moment my eyes locked in with a set of deep gray eyes. Sharp jaw. Dark hair falling across his forehead. His dark coat looked like it probably cost more than everything I owned.

His hands were still on my arms, firm but not painful.

“Who are you?” I demanded.

He raised his brows. “Didn’t anyone tell you?

“Tell me what? That a stranger would kidnap me in a hospital? No, I must have missed that memo.”

A corner of his lips twitched. He finally released my arms and I stumbled back.

“I’m Liam Russo,” He said smoothly. “I was the one who brought you to the hospital and handled the payments.”

I knew that name… I mean, not only me but everyone.

“The Liam Russo?” I asked. “The one who’s been trying to take down the Banks empire?”

“Well,” he shrugged. “I could be.”

My jaw dropped. Why would he save me? He and Alexander hated each other. Getting involved with me made no sense.

I raised my head up to look at him. “I don’t have any money to pay you back.”

“I don’t want your money.”

“Then what do you want?”

His gaze remained locked on mine. “You.”