Everyone filed out of the meeting hall, voices low and feet echoing off the polished marble floor. Harper lingered behind, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked at the hem of her sleeve. Quincy reached for her, trying to steady her weak steps, but she recoiled sharply, jerking his hands off her.
"I will go with Freya," she muttered without meeting his eyes.
Quincy blinked, stunned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"You already look sick this way. Why can't I help you back inside?"
"I don't need your help."
"Why?"
"I said it's nothing!" she snapped, her voice rising with fury and heartbreak. She turned on her heel to storm off, but Quincy surged forward and grabbed her wrist, spinning her back around.
"Tell me what the fuck is wrong with you!"
Tears brimmed in her eyes but didn't fall. "Don't you get it? I already gave up on you."
"Angel has been reinstated!"
"It doesn't change the fact that I dumped you. I have no reason to come back to you anymore. I already chose my sister."
"Harper!!!"
"My name is Blue," she said coldly, her face void of emotion. She turned and took a few steps away before pausing. Her voice was low but cutting. "We no longer share a bond. What is between us is just a courtesan and companion relationship. Call me when you need me to serve you." Without another glance, she walked away, her steps heavy with sorrow.
Quincy stood rooted, his jaw clenched and shoulders rigid. His fists curled tightly at his sides, knuckles white with rage and helplessness.
—
Back at the penthouse, Freya gently laid Harper into bed, tucking the covers over her frail body.
"Blue, you have a visitor," Sage said softly from the doorway.
Harper sat up immediately, alert despite her fatigue. "Who is that?"
"Mr. Dylan."
"What?"
"Hello dear Blue," came a warm voice behind Sage.
Harper's eyes widened as she saw Fred entering the room with a kind smile on his face. She blinked, stunned by his unexpected presence. "Surprised to see me? I'm sorry for barging into your abode this way."
"It's fine, sir," she replied, rising respectfully.
"Can I talk to her for a while?" Fred asked.
"Sure, sir! We'll be right outside," Freya and Sage said before quietly stepping out and closing the door behind them.
Fred stepped closer, his eyes soft. "Dear Blue."
"Hello Mr. Dylan."
"You don't have to be formal. You can call me Dad."
Harper blinked, uncertain. "I can do that?"
"Don't you consider me one? I mean, I consider you as a daughter. And it's not just because you are with my son, but because I admire your bravery. I admire you so much."
"Thank you, sir."
"What you did for your family just shows how real you are, and I'm so proud of you."
"I have to do what I can," she murmured.
"I haven't seen any young girls who can do what you can do. You are so capable, and I'm so happy that Quincy chose you. Look at the world of Dylan—it is so big and beyond human comprehension. No courtesan has been able to win the heart of Dylan, talk less of being able to get into the heart of Dylan, which is the penthouse. The courtesan house was built as a shield for the Dylan family. That's why it was named the Shield Hotels! This place protected us and our wealth. This is our foundation and our source of fortune. Our whole life is tied to this place, and it has shielded us for several years."
Harper's eyes began to fill with tears as Fred spoke.
"I have always had my doubts, and I don't trust anyone except my wife. But you are a different person. Your aura speaks volumes, and I already know that you will be a benevolent Queen. Since Fransisca showed you to me—how were you then? You were just a little boy in the courtesan house!" he laughed warmly. "I came to the courtesan house discreetly, and I always saw you. Fransisca would say that she's a stubborn girl, and I always saw you as a strong young man! You have the same energy as Quincy. I've always felt that you two combined will dominate the world together. And I'm so glad that you were paired with him."
Harper broke. She covered her face with her palms, sobbing into them as the guilt weighed down her shoulders.
"I'm no longer with Quincy, Dad. I left him."
"You can always get back together, sweetie."
"I chose someone else over him. What right do I have? Getting back together will make me the most selfish person. It simply means that I don't respect him at all. Leaving him and getting back anytime I wish is not the kind of love that I promised him."
"Dear Blue," he said softly, gently holding her hands. "I understand how you feel, baby girl. But trust me—Quincy is everything but a hard person. He is the most peaceful man I have ever seen in my life. Despite growing up all alone and being born into the wild life, he is a kind soul and will never hold any grudges against you. Even though he has a bad temper and his aura gives dominance, he forgives quickly and moves forward to the next thing. This situation of yours, he understands perfectly."
"Dad, he will not understand!" she cried. "Even if he is the most understanding person, he will not understand this at all! I'm doing something that he will never forgive me for. If he finds out, he will kill my sister to ease his soul."
Fred's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing with concern. "Is there something you are not saying, Blue?"
"There is." Her voice dropped to a whisper, trembling.
Fred reached over and wiped a tear from her cheek. "First, stop crying so much, girl. Ease your nerves. Please—you look so sick and weak right now. I'm so scared for you. Now tell me, what's wrong?"
"I'm carrying a child," she said shakily.
Fred's eyes widened in shock. "What? You are pregnant?"
"Yes."
"How is that a problem? Quincy will be happy with that."
"I can't give birth to the baby."
"Why?"
"When I was shot by Angel, I lost so much blood. It weakened my whole body. I became so frail. So the doctor told me then that I was pregnant and I have to terminate it because the child cannot survive. The bullet weakened it. Even though I asked for ways to keep the child, the doctor says that it can never survive. I already lost part of the fetus. I have to remove the rest."
"Damn it!" Fred turned away, gripping the armrest of the nearby chair tightly, breathing hard.
"I couldn't do the operation because I was almost dying with the gunshot, so I was scheduled to come back in a few days. But since then, I can't face Quincy anymore. How could I be bold enough to tell him that I'm losing the child because of the gunshot? He would never let my sister off."
"I'm sure Quincy will never take this at all. We just finished settling one problem, now there's another one? I'm so hurt right now, Blue. I'm so hurt because you are losing my grandchild. But I know what is right and what is wrong. I won't be blinded by my emotions. I will help you keep this away from Quincy to maintain peace here."
"Thank you so much." Her voice cracked under the weight of her gratitude.
"This is a very bad phase. I'm sure you guys will pass through it. There's no good life without a bad fate, and the bad fate was just entangled with your sister that you are using all your might to protect. Do not fold, Blue. You are stronger than that storm. Keep fighting and watch all your life settle down at the right time. You are still in the period of tribulation, and you have to face it to be able to win it."
"I will," she said, finally managing a smile through her tears.
Fred smiled back, pulling her into a warm, fatherly hug. "You will be fine, dear Blue…"