Her Ex's Science Project

I begged the caretaker—Kenny—eyes red, voice cracking. Only guy in that place who didn't treat me like trash. Said I reminded him of his big brother.But going up against Jeremy? Not an option. Getting me out? Dream on.Then he saw me clutching my fake leg, breaking down like my chest was about to cave in. That cracked him.He grabbed the freezer box and headed for the door—Boom. Harper.The metallic stink made her wrinkle her nose. She watched Kenny walk off, and only bothered to frown once he was long gone.Still, she was beaming—like she just claimed victory in some game."Jeremy's experiment was a huge success," she murmured, dreamy-eyed. "His dream finally came true."Since stepping in, she hadn't looked at me once—just stared out the window at the fireworks.When I stayed quiet, she finally looked over, brows knitting. "Zach Zimmer, Jeremy just asked you for a tiny favor."You've been home doing nothing since surgery. Meeting some new friends and helping him out a litt

Harper blew a fortune getting Jeremy's lab off the ground.She let him test his DIY drugs on actual people. Even backed his creepy electric shock "therapy."Every time it blew up in his face, she swooped in and fixed it. Like she was proud of it.What I didn't see coming? Her letting him do all that to me.I didn't fight. I owed her. Or thought I did.Maybe once this freak show ended, my tab would finally be cleared.Jeremy broke the silence with a few loud slaps. Doctors stormed in with their gear.Once everything was set, Jeremy slid his arm around Harper's."Harper, what if this flops?" he whined.Harper's eyes wavered. She squeezed his hand, voice barely a whisper. "It won't. Let's go. They'll send the results later."Inside, I was flat on a cold metal bed, staring at the ceiling while they strapped me down.The lights smeared together. My thoughts started slipping away.As the current cranked up, my body went dead, but my brain flickered back on in flashes.Through th

He didn't even finish before I opened the video he'd just sent.There she was—Harper, backstage, adjusting her gown. Her dress? Perfectly matched Jeremy's tie.Just like I'd asked, Kenny rolled in with the freezer box.Harper spotted him right away. Paused, tossed on that smug little smirk. "Zach sent you? Knowing him, this better not be a bomb."The glam squad cracked up.Kenny didn't flinch. "Mr. Zimmer asked me to deliver this. Said it's a gift."Jeremy threw on his signature sneer. "Harper, whatever that is, it's bad news. Just toss it. Gala's starting."Harper let out a cold laugh and waved her assistant over.But Kenny held on. "Mr. Zimmer was very clear—you have to open it yourself."Right then, the event director showed up to drag them onstage. Harper was done playing nice.She snatched the box from Kenny and dropped it with a loud thud.Crack. The shell split open.Gasps all around.Harper froze, still gripping Jeremy's hand, halfway to the door.On the floor: a

Once we were inside, Sonya yanked the curtains shut, sealing out the world.She switched on the fireplace without a word.I'd tried explaining everything—more than once—but she never pushed. Just stared into the flames and said, soft and kind, "It's hard walking away from love. Take your time."I froze. Then mumbled, "Yeah."Cue Jenny, crashing the moment like always. Bursting in, grinning loud, meds in hand."Please," she muttered while prepping my pills. "Like she's the only woman on Earth. Just dump her and move on."I laughed. Couldn't help it. She had a point.Right as I was about to take the meds, she shot me a look, then eyed Sonya with a grin. "Take Dr. Spencer. Only been here a year and already got a whole fan club. Why not—"I choked on air.Sonya, quiet up till then, cleared her throat fast and pivoted hard. "Jenny, are the meds done for the other rooms?"Jenny bolted, cart and all.Silence dropped back in—this time with a side of awkward.Sonya looked like she w

I didn't answer. Didn't plan to. But Harper's death grip only got tighter."Who is she?" she hissed again.Before I could say a word, Sonya stepped in, sliding between us. Her voice? Ice cold."I'm his doctor. And maybe if you had a soul, you wouldn't have dumped a sane man into a psych ward to get electrocuted like a science fair rat. What does that make YOU?"Sonya wasn't one for speeches—especially not ones with bite. But this one? It hit like a slap in winter.Harper? Oh, she cracked. Lips tight, hands twitching—then, boom. Full-on slap to Sonya."That's between me and Zach! Stay out of it!"I lunged forward, helped Sonya up, then stepped in front of her.My voice dropped, full of disgust. "You've already torched my life. Keep going and I'm calling the cops."Jenny came sprinting from the bonfire, eyes wide."This is a wellness retreat, you psycho, not some stage for your psychodrama."Jeremy—shaking like a leaf—scrambled to defend Harper. "Who are you calling her psycho