Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 118

Harper

The handwriting was unmistakably Grayson’s, scribbled years ago during our high school days.

Five vouchers.

“Harper’s amazing. She’s funny, intelligent, and completely understands me. If only her face matched the beauty of her heart, lol. She’s way too obvious about loving me, always acting like I’m the center of her universe. I do feel something for her, but I don’t have to settle for someone like her. We’re best friends, but when we’re out in public, we look like total opposites. That’s how I know I can do better. Harper and I as a couple? No chance!”

Flipping to another page, I read, “The one and only Tiffany Aldridge is now my girlfriend. I always knew I deserved someone like her. And the best part? I still get to keep Harper around because what would she be without me? She’ll always be there for me, no matter what.”

My hands shook as I turned page after page, absorbing his confessions—how I was just convenient, how he used me without truly caring.

“I didn’t really have an emergency today; I just wanted to see how Harper would react. As usual, she showed up. She just can’t say no to me.”

Tears blurred my vision, finally spilling onto the open page. I struggled to catch my breath, covering my mouth with trembling fingers. How could he have played me so cruelly, right under my nose, all this time?

Over the years, he had written countless notes about me—about how I boosted his ego every time I followed him blindly, unable to refuse. He held power over me because I was hopelessly in love with him.

With every new page I read, the pain deepened. I realized I was only setting myself up for more heartbreak, and I couldn’t bear it any longer. Clutching the book tightly, I closed it and shut my eyes, struggling to steady my ragged breaths.

I should have felt relief that, for all those years, he felt something for me. But how could I, when he had made it so clear that we’d never be right for each other because I wasn’t attractive enough?

When he climbed back up the ladder, I didn’t even glance over my shoulder. He was the one person I had trusted with my heart, and he’d treated it like garbage—all because he thought he deserved better.

My shoulders trembled violently as emotions overwhelmed me, but I forced myself to stiffen, swallowing back my sobs.

“Harp, are you done yet?” he called as he stepped inside. “My wife needs me home as soon as possible. We should go.”

He rambled on about how Tiffany was nagging him over the phone, but the more he spoke, the more irritating he sounded. I just wanted him to shut up.

Mid-sentence, I spun around to face him, making him freeze. His eyes widened as he noticed the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Whoa, what happened?” he asked, stepping closer. “Is everything—” His voice faltered when his gaze landed on the book in my hand.

Five vouchers.

Recognition dawned on his face, and the fact that I was holding it meant I’d read it.

He parted his lips to speak again, but no words came. I waited, bracing myself for whatever excuse he might offer, but he was silent.

I said nothing, letting the tears fall freely as I stared directly at him. For so long, I had admired every feature of his face—the handsome smile, the charm. But now, all I saw was the selfish boy who made everything about himself by exploiting my feelings.

“I… I can explain,” he finally whispered, exhaling deeply.

I scoffed, wiping my cheeks. “No need. It’s all crystal clear in here. I’m done reading.” I shoved the book hard against his chest, making him stumble back with a grunt.

There was no point in waiting for his explanation. I hadn’t misunderstood anything. His intentions had always been painfully obvious.

I glanced away, chuckling bitterly. It didn’t matter that he loved me and wanted me now. He only felt that way because, in his eyes, I had finally become worthy of his attention after all my changes.

“Tell me something,” I said, narrowing my teary eyes. “If I still looked the way I did before, would you be standing here telling me you loved me and wanted me?”

He scoffed. “And do you think Maddox would’ve fallen for you if you were still the loser version of yourself? Would he—”

I cut him off with another slap, my heart pounding with rage. “Don’t you dare compare yourself to him. My relationship with Maddox is different, and you know it! Fine, you want me? You love me?”

“More than ever,” he murmured, rubbing his cheek as if that would make me fall for him all over again. But it had the opposite effect—I hated him. I could feel it deep in my shattered heart.

Taking a few steps back to put distance between us, I spoke calmly but firmly: “That means nothing to me. So you can shove it all up your ass!”

Covering my mouth with one hand, I ran, as if trying to escape the part of myself that had always wanted him.

This time, he didn’t follow. Still, I heard him calling my name behind me, his voice thick with regret and longing.

I didn’t look back. It had taken me years to realize I’d been a fool. He’d been laughing in my face because he knew me too well. I’d ignored so many awful things he’d said and done just weeks ago, but not anymore.

Once I got into a cab and the ride home began, I wiped away my tears and blocked him everywhere, determined to keep him out of my life. I had never felt pain like this before, and it was unforgivable.

When I arrived home, the first person I wanted to tell was Maddox. But I hesitated before typing a message. No. Today was supposed to be about us—about the conversation we were finally going to have. I had been looking forward to that moment since that night in the suite. Nothing Grayson did was going to ruin it. Maddox was waiting for me in Paris, and I was going to show up as the best version of myself.