Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Grayson

Taking Harper back to my old home was a decision I immediately regretted. I had hoped that moment would shatter the walls she’d been building around herself, the ones meant to keep me at a distance. Instead, it turned out to be the biggest mistake I’d ever made. She now knew the truth, and there was nothing I could do to undo it.

Not only did I catch the hatred burning in her eyes before she left me at that house, but I also felt it deep inside me.

Since she returned to San Francisco, Harper and I had clashed a few times, but those arguments were always temporary. I could bounce back from them because I was certain of her feelings for me, no matter what happened between us. But this time was different. With my secret finally exposed, there was no going back.

She understood how I truly felt about her now. Yet, when I looked into her eyes after telling her I loved her, they reflected nothing but emptiness. It was as if those words meant absolutely nothing to her anymore. I had hurt her beyond repair, and somehow, I thought that was the right moment to confess my love.

Sitting alone in my study at 2 a.m., I slammed my palm down on the desk, frustration coursing through me. That moment kept replaying in my mind like a relentless storm.

Why had I written all those things about her? I couldn’t even use the excuse that I was young and reckless back then, because I’d been writing those thoughts for years. I never imagined she’d go through the trouble of finding that box and uncovering the notebook. I hadn’t even looked at it in ages. I’d thought bringing her back to the treehouse would boost my ego, remind her of the early days when she first started falling for me – when she’d catch herself staring, silently wishing I’d make a move. I wanted her to remember that even though she had moved on, I would always be the one.

Even though I was certain she’d loved me for so long that her feelings for Maddox weren’t genuine, it felt like Maddox had won now that my most guarded secret was out in the open.

The last thing I wanted was for Maddox to find out, but I convinced myself it wouldn’t happen. I believed their relationship lacked the openness for Harper to share what had happened between us, or how she’d always felt about me.

That thought gave me some comfort, but it didn’t erase the fear that Maddox might discover the truth. I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath. He never admitted he was behind what happened to Kate, but we all knew from the cold way he treated the situation.

After that day, Kate was never the same. She struggled to find new clients unless Tiffany helped her out.

I’d watched Tiffany and her mother tiptoe around Maddox, trying not to provoke him. And there I was, wondering if Harper would end up making me one of his targets.

I should have gone to bed hours ago. I had a long day ahead, but I was still trapped in that moment when Harper confronted me. My eyes were glued to my phone screen, scrolling endlessly for two hours, torturing myself with every post that deepened the ache in my chest.

Maddox might have shared similar updates, but I couldn’t tear myself away from Harper’s page. She’d posted over twenty times in just a couple of hours, flaunting every second she spent with him — from their dinner together to Clara Edevane playing the piano. There was even a painting Maddox had made of her. I couldn’t appreciate how beautiful it was; all I felt was envy, anger, jealousy, and regret.

Just as I told myself to stop and get some rest, another post appeared. This time, they were in the VIP section of an exclusive club. Harper was sitting on Maddox’s lap, and his hand rested possessively on her waist. The image made me want to flip my desk over in frustration.

The creak of the door pulled me away from my screen. Tiffany stood there in a silky nightgown, her hair perfectly in place, making me wonder if she’d slept at all. As she stepped closer, it was clear she’d been wide awake the entire time.

“Babe, still working?” she asked, her voice sharp and clear, confirming she hadn’t been asleep.

“But you know what?” she kissed my cheek. “You don’t sound excited because you’ve been working nonstop since midnight. You definitely deserve those nominations at the upcoming Young Power List Awards. You won a few last year, and you can do it again.”

I sighed, standing up reluctantly. “The difference is, this time your brother is nominated in every category.”

I expected her to rally me, to say I could still come out on top, but instead, she pursed her lips and said, “Now that I think about it, an award shouldn’t define how excellent you are.”

I was disappointed but not surprised. Maddox had accomplished so much since taking over the company, bringing in massive profits in record time. But the last thing I wanted was to lose to him — especially when it came to Harper.

Close to 3 a.m., I brushed my teeth, changed into fresh clothes, and climbed into bed beside Tiffany. I desperately wanted to sleep, but I knew shutting my eyes wouldn’t be easy. My mind needed a reset, a way to block out Harper.

That’s why I placed my hand on Tiffany’s waist and kissed her shoulder. She turned toward me and pressed her lips to mine. Now that she was pregnant, we had to take things slow, but I craved that closeness to forget everything else.

For a few minutes, I lost myself in the moment, convinced I was doing well. But as I collapsed beside her afterward, my thoughts drifted back to Harper, and I hated myself for it.

Tiffany soon fell asleep, but I lay there in the dark, staring at nothing.

Then, my phone buzzed with a message from Maddox — one I read over and over, trying to make sure I understood it right.