Chapter 23
Harper spent a restless night in what used to be her aunt's office at the Adriatic, curled up on an ancient leather couch that smelled like dust and memories. The construction noise started at seven in the morning, jarring her awake with the sound of power tools and shouted instructions.
She checked her phone. Five missed calls from Sebastian. Three text messages.
The first: "I'm sorry. Please come home so we can talk."
The second: "I know I messed up. Just tell me you're safe."
The third, sent at two in the morning: "You're right about everything. I'll do better. I promise."
Harper stared at the messages, feeling the familiar pull between wanting to forgive him and knowing she needed to stand her ground. She had spent too many years making herself smaller to accommodate o
