Horrible Harper

Chapter One - Episode One

Chapter One

Scene One

Margaret busied herself in the living room, arranging flowers in a vase and polishing the furniture. Her face glowed with the brightness of a new morning, a warmth that seemed to pour happiness into every corner of the house. Her smile shone like a ray of sunlight, and the entire room lit up with her presence.

The door creaked open halfway, and Robert appeared, hiding something behind his back. He paused for a moment, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at Margaret, a faint smile betraying the secret he carried.

Margaret glanced curiously at what he concealed, but before she could speak, Robert said softly:

— Come in, Harper.

A little girl stepped inside, her hand held firmly in Robert’s, and he gently closed the door behind them.

Margaret bent to her knees so she could look the child in the eye. Her voice was tender, almost trembling with warmth:

— Hello, sweetheart.

Robert knelt beside them, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder, and said with quiet pride:

— Harper… is our daughter now.

Margaret’s eyes glistened with surprise and joy. She smiled at the child and whispered:

— How beautiful you are, Harper.

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Scene Two

Later that night, Margaret lay on the bed, resting her head on Robert’s arm. They lay side by side, staring at the ceiling in comfortable silence, the night wrapping around them like a soft blanket.

Margaret broke the silence, her voice filled with emotion:

— I’ve waited so long for this day, Robert… to finally have a daughter. Ever since we married and moved into this house, I’ve dreamed of it. Ten long years I’ve waited, and today my dream has come true. Do you know what else? Today is also our wedding anniversary. Ten years of happiness, with you, my love.

Robert tightened his grip on her hand, smiling gently:

— I know, Margaret. Today is special. But did you realize that Harper is ten years old today as well?

She turned her head toward him, kissed him softly, and murmured with a smile:

— You notice everything, Robert.

He looked into her eyes, his tone tender yet steady:

— Harper is not like other children. She’s an orphan. Her parents died in a terrible car accident only days after she was born. She was the only one who survived. At the orphanage, the caretaker told me she is bright, quick to learn, incredibly observant… but she needs love, constant care, and guidance. I promised that woman we would be good parents to her. Maybe if we’d had a child of our own, she would not have been like Harper. God always gives us what is best.

Margaret’s eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed by his words. Robert leaned closer, his voice softening into a whisper:

— We should celebrate this, Margaret.

And in the dim light of the bedside lamp, they kissed deeply, letting love carry them into the stillness of the night.

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Scene Three

The sun streamed through the living room windows, filling it with golden warmth. Margaret sat on the sofa with Harper beside her, gently combing the girl’s hair and tying it neatly back. Her face was radiant with joy, while Harper giggled, her wide smile reflecting pure innocence.

When Margaret finished, she placed her hands gently on Harper’s shoulders, turned her toward her, and asked softly:

— Would you like to play together in the garden?

Harper’s eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly:

— Yes! I love the garden.

Margaret laughed, stood up, and held the child’s hand:

— Then let’s go!

Hand in hand, they left the room, stepping out into the light and laughter of the waiting garden.

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Scene Four

In front of the wooden house, on the wide green lawn, Margaret and Harper played with a ball. Their laughter rang out like a song, chasing each other playfully under the sun. At one point, Margaret lifted the little girl high into the air and spun her around. Harper’s laughter burst free, her face glowing with the joy and innocence of childhood.

But then, the ball slipped away. It bounced across the grass, rolling quickly toward the asphalt road. Without hesitation, Harper ran after it, her small legs carrying her faster and faster—unaware of the car speeding down the street.

Margaret froze, horror gripping her. She covered her eyes with both hands and screamed from the depths of her soul:

— Nooooo!

She fell to her knees, trembling, her heart pounding in her chest as the car roared past. Its wheels came terrifyingly close to crushing the ball, skimming the danger by inches.

When the roar faded, Margaret slowly lowered her hands, her eyes wide with dread. There stood Harper, safe, clutching the ball in both hands as though nothing had happened.

With a cry of relief, Margaret rushed forward, pulling the child into her arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she kissed Harper’s head again and again, holding her as tightly as if never to let go. Then, without a second thought, she scooped the girl up, hurried into the house, and slammed the door shut—leaving the ball abandoned on the grass outside, a silent witness to the moment that nearly shattered everything.