Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 142

Their betrayal was a razor-sharp dagger plunged straight into his heart, a blow he had never anticipated.

Though Valeria wasn’t his biological sister, he had never shown her an ounce less care or affection than he had Draven. In the three years she had lived with the Palmers, no one had dared to slight her for being an adopted child.

And yet these two, the very people he had protected and cherished, were the ones who wanted him dead.

Sensing the turmoil still churning within him, Larissa stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let Crispin handle her,” she said gently. “I’ll take care of your legs.”

Haskell pulled his gaze away from the pathetic heap on the floor. “Alright.”

It was alright now. He had Larissa. Even if everyone else betrayed him, as long as she stood firmly by his side, nothing else seemed to matter.

Curled on the floor, Valeria watched him turn to leave, her eyes wide with terror. “…Haskell… Bro, don’t go… let me go…”

But all she heard was the soft whir of his wheelchair and the sight of his back, a silhouette of a heart that had grown cold.

...

Once they were in the master bedroom with the door closed, Larissa walked over to Haskell and looked down at his handsome face.

“I know you’re always smiling, whether you’re angry or sad,” she said softly. “But I also know you feel lost sometimes.”

“It’s okay. I’m just like you. I have my moments of weakness, but I get through them. When you start living for yourself, you’ll find that life is actually pretty interesting.”

“From now on, you need to live for yourself more. Family, friendship, love… all of it should come second. Taking care of your own feelings is what’s most important.”

Haskell listened intently until she reached that last part, then he couldn’t help but interrupt.

Larissa, holding her needle case, paused. “Oh, right. I almost forgot.”

Leaning in, she pressed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek.

“You meant this, right?” she asked, pulling back with a smile dancing in her eyes.

Haskell’s breath caught in his throat. For a second, he just stared, the light in the room reflecting in his wide pupils.

When he finally found his voice, his eyes were full of surprise and adoration.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Larissa teased, seeing his stunned expression. “Did my kiss break your brain?”

A slow, warm smile spread across Haskell’s face. He nodded. “Yes. And if you do it again, I think I’ll not only be broken, I’ll go completely insane.”