All Chapters of Her Ex's Science Project: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

That night, Harper never came back.Right after midnight, I mumbled a "happy birthday" to myself.Before I got dumped at Bendora, she'd gone with me for a checkup. Doctor said my stomach was healing fine, and Harper lit up."You'll be all better by your birthday," she'd said. "We'll celebrate big."Yeah. She did celebrate—just not with me. She blasted fireworks across the city... for Jeremy's fake little science trophy.At dawn, Kenny showed up with this tiny palm-sized cake."I remember you said today's your birthday, but your leg..." He trailed off, awkward, then lit the candle anyway.If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have made it through those hellish days.I closed my eyes, ready to make a wish—then the door creaked open.Harper.Her brows twitched like she just realized what day it was. "Oh. It's your birthday."She started digging through her coat, clearly scrambling for a fake gift.Too bad karma has a sense of humor—she yanked out a half-used box of condoms.Red-f

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

Harper paused at the door, voice flat. "Come with me. Roads are clear anyway."She barely said a word on the drive. Just stared at her phone like it held her next breath.We rushed into the club Jeremy had dropped his location at. Laughter spilled out of the VIP room.He spotted me and froze—then slapped on that fake regret. "Didn't know you were bringing Zach. It was just a dare, that's why I texted you."Harper was still winded, but totally chill. "Relax. It's just dinner."Cue everyone turning to gawk at me.I looked down, hands in fists. "If that's all, I'll go home."But Jeremy just had to run his mouth. "Zach, we're not done. You're not ready to leave. You belong at Bendora."Then some random voice piped up, loud enough for the whole room. "So THIS is Jeremy's lab rat? No wonder he's a mess."Another added, "I don't mind scars, but a cripple in designer? Yikes."I turned my back to them, holding it in with everything I had.Harper didn't flinch. Still riding Team Jerem

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

Ever since I came back to my hometown, I'd been... better. Better than I was in Bendora, at least. Still not even close to who I used to be.Small-town life had its perks. The wellness retreat, buried deep in the mountains, was way more peaceful than home ever was.Sonya liked to joke, "This place is so hidden even a war couldn't find it."She wasn't wrong. And somehow, I'd found it.It fit—quiet, out of the way. No one to miss. No one left to miss me.I blew on my milk, took a sip. Then my phone—sitting across the room where Sonya left it—started buzzing again.She reached for it. I waved her off. "Don't. I know who it is. I'm not answering."We sat there in silence. Later, after dinner, we headed out with the nurses for a snowball fight.Sonya nailed me with one the size of a fist, dead center. Game on.I crouched down, grabbing a handful of snow—when I heard it. Crunching footsteps. Boots.I looked up.Froze.Harper.I didn't say a word. Just got up and walked away.Be

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

The second I saw her, sleep was gone.Harper didn't wait—grabbed my arm and yanked me up.First thought? She heard Jeremy was planning to propose and came rushing to seal the divorce deal.So I didn't fight it. Just brushed off the snow and asked calmly, "You made up your mind?"She blinked, totally lost. Then reached up and adjusted my beanie."You're just pretending to be happy so you can punish me," she said. "Make me chase you. Over and over. Right?"I almost laughed.Classic Harper—still thought everything was about her.I looked her straight in the eye. "Nah. I'm just actually happy. With my friends."She laughed—loud, bitter, like I'd cracked the world's funniest joke. Then licked her lips."Friends? Don't act like you're some kind of lowlife."I cut in, voice cold. "And you? Helping your boyfriend turn your husband into a lab rat—does that make you high class?"Her face went ghost-pale. Eyes rimmed red, tears freezing mid-fall."That's why I came to take you home,"

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

I froze, then broke into a rough cough.Sonya rushed over, propping me up and handing me the cup of milk."Blow on it first—it's hot."Jenny caught the hint and slipped out, quiet as a shadow.I downed the milk in one go, the warmth melting the sandpaper feeling in my throat.Sonya watched, steady and calm, then reached out to wipe a drop from the corner of my mouth.My phone buzzed. A few messages popped up:[Zach, I know you won't take my calls. Don't worry, I won't bother you again. I've made my choice. I'll disappear from this world—forever.][Be happy.]My chest tightened for a second, then eased. Relief—cold and clean—washed through me. I set the phone aside.Sonya caught my gaze, her fingers fidgeting as she looked down."Pretty soon you'll be discharged. What's next for you?"My head was still foggy, so I tossed it back. "What about you? Planning to stay here forever?"She lowered her eyes. "Maybe. Maybe not."***The day I left, Sonya walked me to the car. She l

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