Page 49 of Shadows of Obsession

I grabbed my phone again and checked for a reply—just in case.

Still nothing.

Just let it go, Anna.

With a sigh, I slipped the phone into my pocket and left my room.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I stopped abruptly. Below me, Harper and Connor stood at the bottom, locked in what looked like a heated discussion. Connor's stance was tense, his head angled down toward Harper as he spoke with clear intensity. Harper's expression shifted between anger, hurt, and confusion.

Oh no.

Unsure whether I should intervene, I took a step back, letting the shadows of the hallway cloak me from view. Harper reached for Connor's arm, as if trying to calm him, but he shrugged her off brusquely and turned, heading toward the kitchen. The loud clang of the sliding door as he stepped outside echoed through the quiet house.

Harper stood there for a moment, her shoulders slumping. She pinched the bridge of her nose and glanced up at the ceiling, like she was searching for strength, or patience. After a deep sigh, she turned and walked down the hallway toward the bathroom.

Guilt twisted in my stomach for having witnessed their argument, even though I hadn't meant to eavesdrop. Whatever had just happened had clearly rattled them both. I hesitated, torn between checking on Harper or leaving them to sort it out alone.

I made my decision.

My steps were measured and cautious as I approached the closed bathroom door. The muffled sounds of movement from within made me pause, my hand hovering inches from the wood.

With a deep breath, I gently rapped my knuckles against it.

"Harper?"

The rustling inside stopped. A moment later, the lock clicked, and the door slowly swung open.

Harper stood there, eyes rimmed with red, a valiant attempt at a smile plastered on her face. But I could see right through it. The pain and frustration etched into the lines around her mouth, the tightness in her shoulders.

"What happened?" I asked gently, stepping closer and resting a hand on her arm.

She slumped against the counter, her arms wrapping around herself protectively.

"Connor and I got into a fight about Morgan," she admitted, her voice rough with emotion. "She didn't come tonight, even though sheknows he's stressed and could use her support. I tried to tell him it's because she doesn't really care about him, but he wouldn't listen."

A tear escaped, and she wiped at it angrily, pressing her fingers to her closed lids.

"I just don't understand how he can keep defending her!" She burst out, disbelief and exasperation woven into her voice. "He deserves so much better than someone who doesn't give a damn about him. I thought he was smarter than this, that he knew his worth and could see through people's true intentions."

My heart ached for her. I gently squeezed her shoulder, offering silent support.

"I'm sorry," I murmured.

Connor's easygoing nature and infectious charm were well-known, but Morgan's conspicuous absence, and Harper's fears about her intentions, rang painfully true.

"Maybe he just doesn't see it yet," I offered softly. "Sometimes people can be blinded by the hope that someone's good, even when all the signs say otherwise."

God, how I wish someone had given me that advice last year.

Harper sighed heavily, her hands falling to her sides as she met my gaze with tired eyes.

"I just don't get why he's defending her when she can't even be bothered to show up, especially when he's obviously stressed about Jaxon." She shook her head, frustration evident in the set of her jaw. "It's like he's clinging to an illusion, refusing to see the truth."

I nodded slowly.

"Maybe it's because he cares about her, and letting go of that hope is harder than it seems. But you're right—he does deserve someone who will stand by him when he needs it most."

Harper's eyes welled up again, and she hastily wiped at the fresh tears.