Dave is quick to excuse himself. “I’ll… go,” he mutters, his eyes flicking to me briefly before he slips out the door without another word.
Harper’s gaze lingers on the door before she turns to me, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She hesitates, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words come. I swallow hard, trying to ease the lump forming in my throat, but it stays, stubborn and heavy. Finally, she sighs and extends her arms toward me. “Come here.”
I cross the room quickly and let her pull me into her embrace. The warmth of her arms is familiar, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel a shred of safety. I sob softly against her shoulder. She’s so tall—almost as tall as Jude—and the strength in her hold is comforting. “Hey, she’s going to be okay. She’s to
