HARPER
I gripped my hair and screamed, letting every ounce of frustration I had buried deep inside finally tear free.
I didn't care that the children were only a room away.
"A coward! That's what you are, Julian Gallagher!" I shrieked. "You saw competition and ran instead of standing your ground. I thought you were stronger than this. Smarter than this!"
I thought…God, I really thought—
It's your fault, Harper.
Fresh tears burned at the corners of my eyes, and this time, I didn't bother stopping them. They slid freely down my cheeks as my legs finally gave out beneath me.
I collapsed onto the floor, my blurry gaze fixing on the ticking clock. My throat closed painfully.
I swallowed hard, trying to force down the lump lodged there, but it refused to move. A shaky gasp escaped me as I clutched at my throat, dragging in desperate breaths.
