all the shit that’s been thrown down the past few months, I didn’t think I could feel anything except like I was drowning in anger, but with him, none of it seems insurmountable. I can breathe easier with him. Like, if he and I could be together then maybe everything my father did won’t ruin me too.”
“Babe, you’re not your father and you’re not ruined. The people who know and love you already know that. If Ethan can’t see it, maybe you’re better off without him around.”
Harper snort laughed and moved away to grab a tissue. “Doesn’t really matter now anyway. He has no reason to even try, and even though things might have been different under better circumstances, the truth is we’re on opposite sides.”
“But are you? Harper I know you hate what you’re father is doing. Step away. Distance yourself so that everyone doesn’t make you guilty by association. They don’t know you can’t stand him right now; all they see is a man with his wife and daughter standing by his side. If you weren’t there, then they’d speculate that maybe you don’t agree with what he did.”
Kylie was right and Harper knew that, had known it for awhile, but for some reason she was trying to get her mother to see what she was doing to herself by sticking by him. So far all it had done was show Harper that her mother had her head in the sand. How much longer could she try to protect her if she didn’t want to be protected?
Harper had a degree and when it came time to find a job, who was going to hire the daughter of an embezzling asshole, especially one that had stood by during the shit storm of a trial? Because that’s what her mother expected of Harper, to be there every day and support her family.
She had no idea if she could even do that. How was she supposed to listen to people testify that her father had ruined their lives and not show how much it affected her too. Her father had a lifetime of perfecting his poker face, but Harper hadn’t and she didn’t want to.
“I know. I just wish my mother would admit that he’s wrong. She is standing by his side like he’s in the right and I hate it.” She didn’t understand it either. Her mother was smart and had to know that what the media was blaring across the front page was the truth. Especially with so many people behind the accusations.
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink,” Kylie said.
“Did you seriously just use that lame quote on me?” Harper asked.
“What? It fit the moment, am I right? Your mom is the horse, the water is everything...”
“I got it, Kye. And yes, as lame as it was, it fit perfectly. Except in this case, it’s my father that’s the ass.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds then burst into laughter. Again, Kylie had made Harper feel better. Maybe she could hide out at Kylie’s place until the entire trial was over. No one would even remember Harper Matheson by then.
“I think we need a massage and mani/pedi date,” Kylie said. “A few hours of pampering and mimosas?”
That sounded really good. “Okay. Since you twisted my arm and all.”
Kye smiled, but Harper saw the worry in her friend’s eyes.
“This is a good thing right?” Harper asked. She didn’t need to specify that she was talking about the negative test sitting in the bathroom trash.
“Yeah,” Kylie said. “Considering everything, it probably is.”
Her phone beeped and Harper looked down. It was a reminder from her mother that they were meeting for dinner tonight. She almost texted back that she wasn’t going, but it was as if her mother knew what was coming.
I need you there, Harper. Please.
“You know that’s considered emotional blackmail, right?” Kylie said, reading over Harper’s shoulder.
“I know,” Harper groaned.
“By definition, the word insanity means doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” Kylie raised one eyebrow and Harper couldn’t deny it one bit.
She already knew she wasn’t going to tell her mother no. She was still going to meet her parents for dinner tonight like any good, certifiable daughter would do.
Insanity, thy name is Harper.
Chapter 3
Harper walked into La’Prima at eight on the dot.
Her parents were already there, seated at their usual table toward the back. She cringed at the glances being sent her way. As