Ex-Husband's Regret

Thanks to her brother, I knew she wanted me and it gave me the best weapon against her. I wanted to hurt her, to destroy and cause her pain for taking my freedom from me. It didn't take a genius to figure out cheating on her would hurt her and so I did and I made sure she knew it. I wanted her to regret ever thinking of trapping me. It worked and every time I saw her, I saw the pain in her eyes. I know it makes me a monster, but it satisfied me seeing that pain there.

"And how did you meet again after years?" mom proceeded when I didn't comment on dad's observation.

"I tracked her down," I shrugged my shoulders. "The board wanted me to get married and settle down and so I did."

My mom's eyes shifted to Harper. "And you agreed to marry him despite the despicable way he treated you?"

I wince at my mom's words. I hated disappointing her, but I couldn't escape this.

In the same way I did, Harper shrugged. "He has something I want, so I agreed."

Mom and dad looked at each other before turning back to us.

"What do you mean?" dad inquired, scrutinizing her.

"My family's company," Harper simply answered.

"What would Gabe be doing with your family's company?" this came from mom, whose eyes were closed into slits.

Harper shrugs. "I don't know. All I know is what he told me. That he took it after my brother died. I didn't even know it was still there. I thought it died with my brother because after all it was going bankrupt" There is a beat of silence before they ask the question. I could see it in their eyes. They were dying to know who she is and who her brother is. It was clear as day.

"Who is your brother, Harper?" dad leaned forward.

"I don't know if you remember him... Andrew Beckett"

She tried to hide it, but I saw it. How her face scrunched up in pain for a moment when she mentioned his name, before getting her emotions in check. I didn't really know how. their relationship was, and I never bothered to care, but it's obvious that she's still in pain. That even after all these years, she was still mourning her brother.

"You're from the Becket family?” Dad asked, surprise coating his voice."1 remember they had a daughter and no one knew what happened to you after your entire family died. He finished insensitively.

Harper winced at that last statement, just as mom pinched dad's arms.

"Woman, why the hell did you pinch me?" he cursed loudly.

Mom just glared at him, before throwing her head in Harper's direction. Harper's eyes were now cast down, staring intently at the carpet...

That same need to comfort her was riding me hard. I fold my hands into fists, just to stop myself from reaching out and holding her hands.

Dad realizes his mistake. "I'm sorry Harper, that was insensitive of me"

"It's okay, it happened a long time ago" she whispered sadly.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean it hurts any less, does it?" mom asked her in a gentle voice.

"No, it doesn't" she murmured, and I could clearly see her struggling to keep her emotions in check.

There was an awkward silence after that, while every fiber in my body pushed me to hold her. Instead of giving in I push away that need and focus on my parents.

"Okay, I think that's enough for today" Mom's voice cut through the silence "And right now all I want is a proper introduction with my granddaughter."

Her smile was genuine when she

talked about Lilly, but deep downt

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