part 5
PART 5
Serena examined Harper’s wrist with careful hands.
Professional hands.
Hands that did not tremble even though the father of her unborn child stood three feet away looking like his world was splitting open.
“Does this hurt?”
Harper nodded.
“A little.”
Serena gently rotated the wrist.
Harper winced.
Ethan moved closer.
Serena glanced at him.
“Give her room.”
He stopped immediately.
That obedience almost hurt worse than his questions.
Harper looked between them.
“Daddy keeps your picture in the drawer.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“Harper.”
Serena looked at him.
“You hid it?”
His voice was rough.
“I couldn’t throw it away.”
Serena’s eyes softened for one dangerous second.
Then she looked back at Harper.
“How did you hurt your wrist?”
Harper looked down.
“I fell.”
Ethan said, “She fell down the stairs.”
Serena paused.
“Harper, did you fall or were you pushed?”
The child’s face changed.
Ethan went still.
“Serena.”
Serena did not look at him.
“Harper.”
The little girl swallowed.
“Grandma said not to tell.”
Ethan’s blood turned cold.
“Grandma Vivian?”
Harper nodded.
“She grabbed my arm when I tried to call you.”
Ethan leaned over the rail.
“When?”
“This morning.”
Ethan’s voice shook.
“I was at the office.”
Harper looked ashamed.
“She came over because you had the meeting.”
Serena’s face hardened.
“Who let her in?”
Ethan looked sick.
“She has a key.”
Harper whispered, “She took my backpack.”
“Why?”
Harper looked at Serena.
“Because I had the picture.”
The room went silent.
Serena’s hand froze over the chart.
Ethan stared at Harper.
“What picture?”
Harper’s voice became small.
“The one from your drawer.”
“I wanted to show Grandma that Dr. Serena was nice.”
“She got mad.”
“She said that woman ruined everything.”
Serena stepped back.
One hand went to her belly.
Ethan looked from Harper’s swollen wrist to Serena’s pale face.
The hidden photo had not only exposed Ethan’s longing.
It had exposed Vivian’s rage.
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And suddenly Harper’s fall no longer looked accidental.
Read the full story 👉 Harper admits Vivian hurt her after finding Serena’s photo, proving the grandmother’s control never ended.
