“Language.” Max, Drew’s dad, hits him playfully. “Properly, that is simply the very best information. All of us noticed this coming because you have been yay excessive.” He motioned to after we have been knee-high.

“Congratulations to you each. You’ve made me one ecstatic mom.” Samantha hugs us each.

My cheeks warmth. Heat swarms by way of my physique, however as an alternative of getting the serving dishes from the kitchen, Drew pulls me into his facet and the remainder of the room carries on as regular.

“Now, will you loosen up? I advised you we had nothing to fret about. My household already deal with you want a daughter. It was some other woman I introduced house that needed to fear as a result of nobody would ever dwell as much as you.”

I giggle. I can’t assist it. Nerves have all the time made me have suits of laughter. However this time, Drew stops me in my tracks by kissing me tenderly.

“Get a room,” calls Derren.

Drew throws a serviette at his head and pulls me into his facet. I’ll by no means get fed up of being round this man. He makes me really feel giddy in methods I by no means thought doable. Each nerve ending comes alive when Drew is close to me.

I’m a sobbing wreck from the reminiscence.

I draw back from Drew’s hand and run for the steps. The faster I’m locked away behind closed doorways, the higher, however I’ve no such luck as a result of Drew catches me and turns me in his arms.

“I’ve obtained you. I’ll all the time have you ever, child. Ssshhhh.” He holds me tight and lets me sob.

There actually is not any level making an attempt to run as a result of he’s solely going to chase me or put on me down till I cease operating. Drew picks me up fastidiously and cradles me in his arms. My head rests in opposition to his chest, and all I can hear is his beating coronary heart. At one time, the sound of that heartbeat soothed each ache and horrible reminiscence I had. At the moment, it solely makes what I’m going to take action a lot tougher.

Chapter 3

Harper

Drew left for work this morning, and I lay in mattress, wrapped within the quilt. I used to be awake when he left, however I stored my eyes closed and pretended I used to be asleep. I can’t bear any extra emotional outbursts at present. I’m carried out. I’ve cried myself to sleep for the final eight weeks, and the bodily and psychological hurt that’s inflicting me is torture. I fall asleep with a sore head, and I get up with a sore head. I’m not residing anymore. I am present. I decide up my cellphone and see the missed calls and texts from my mum and Pete. I even see one from Drew that I ignore. I do not need to really feel any extra guilt than I already do. I climb away from bed, go into the toilet, and open the drugs cabinet. I take out a bottle of Naproxen that I had for a damaged arm a yr in the past and sit down on the ground. I take a look at the bottle for the longest time as tears cascade down my face. I’ve gazed on the bottle for lengthy sufficient that it doesn’t even seem like a drugs bottle anymore. I can’t bear in mind opening it and filling my hand with tablets, by no means thoughts forcing the tablets down my throat. I gag on each single one, however I solely have one factor on my thoughts, and that’s to finish this distress. For me, for Drew, for my family and friends. At the moment would be the finish for me, however a brand new starting for everybody else. I’ll be with Angel once more. I’ll be away from all ache.

I lean my head again in opposition to the bathtub panel and shut my eyes. Drew received’t be house for hours, and by then, it should hopefully all be over. He may have the remainder of his life to dwell.

Chapter 4

Drew

I’m sitting within the police automobile when my cellphone rings in my pocket. My companion, Carl, by no means takes his eyes off the street we’re driving on.

Harper’s mum’s title is flashing, and my coronary heart races. One thing is flawed. Harper’s dad and mom by no means name me at work.

I reply the decision with no pleasantries. “What’s flawed?”

I do know one thing has occurred. I can really feel it in my bones. My blood runs chilly and my pores and skin prickles.

“You must come house, honey. Now. Please. Simply…”

I cling up the cellphone, push the button for the blue flashing mild, and inform Carl to take me house. The entire journey takes ten minutes, and in that point my coronary heart is racing. I really feel sick. My head is spinning. I have to see Harper.

The second we pull into my avenue, there are blue flashing lights from the ambulance and police autos. My coronary heart sinks. What the fuck is occurring?

Earlier than Carl even stops totally, I bounce out of the automobile and fall over a kerb. I shortly straighten up and run up my path. Harper’s mum and pop cease me from going by way of the door. They’ve each obtained tears operating down their faces.

“No… please. No…” I pull my hair forcefully to maintain me from falling.

“Paramedics are together with her now. She had a faint pulse after I arrived…” Harper’s mum’s phrases path off and it’s as if my world spins the wrong way up.

“She was sleeping after I left. Please, God, don’t take her away from me,” I cry.

Carl squeezes my shoulder. I look over the road the place spectators are beginning to collect.

“I’ll get the world cleared,” says Carl.

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