Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 81

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Chapter 81

Harper

Her words cut so deep that I could feel the ache in my heart and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. How dare she bring up my parents like that?

She nonchalantly picked up her glass of juice, took a slow sip and set it down again, all while keeping her gaze locked on me.

Right across from me, Tiffany smirked, not bothering to hide her delight. She loved every minute of her mother’s cruelty towards me.

My gaze then shifted to Grayson, who was right next to her and for the first time, ever since we’d all taken our seats at that table, he didn’t seem to be on their side. His posture was stiff, his eyes darting away like he couldn’t bear to be part of what was going on. He knew my family history and just how deep his mother–in- law’s words had landed. The discomfort on his face also told me he wished she hadn’t gone there.

Mr Aldridge didn’t even bother saying anything, but the way his fork stopped mid–air with a blank expression as he pushed his plate away, was louder than anything else.

Mrs Aldridge had gone too far and every second I sat there, made my blood boil. I was so furious that I just wanted to get up and leave, not just the table, but the estate.

The more I looked around the table, the more my vision blurred as tears threatened to roll down my cheeks. I didn’t want to burst into tears right in front of her and her daughter.

But just as I attempted to push my chair back, Maddox’s firm hand rested on top of mine under the table. He didn’t say a word, but when I looked over at him, he smiled faintly as his eyes told me to stay.

I thought about it and realized if I walked away at that moment, Mrs Aldridge would have gotten exactly what she wanted and I wasn’t about to give her that satisfaction.

I glanced at the chandelier above to hold back my tears and when I looked back at her, my voice trembled at first but grew steadier with every word.

“Unfortunately, I still don’t know who my father is.” I let that fact hang in the air before continuing, Maddox still holding my hand. “So I guess I’ll come with Aunt Patricia next time. You’re all going to love her.”

“That’s wonderful,” Mr Aldridge chimed in warmly, leaning forward with genuine curiosity. His eyes thoughtfully softened in a way that made my chest loosen. “I can’t tell if I’ve met her before. Who exactly is she?”

Relief washed over me as I began to tell him about Aunt Patricia and where she worked. He nodded along, recognizing the place and even expressing interest in meeting her there if I’d take a while to bring her over. His attention was so sincere that my face lit up.

Beside me, Maddox gently squeezed my hand, pride flashing in his eyes at how I’d managed to to turn the situation around without even raising my voice or lashing out at his step–mother. ok on her face She was so disappointed that she barely touched her dessert.

Tiffany pursed her lips with crossed arms, the two of them glancing at each other with a knowing look.

I was still chatting with Maddox and his father when I glanced at Grayson and caught his lips curved into a small smile. Was he glad that I hadn’t given his mother–in–law and wife the reaction they wanted? I couldn’t understand him anymore and that left me unsettled.

The dessert left a bitter taste in my mouth as I kept on replaying Mrs Aldridge’s words over and over and over again.

I was just glad I could finally get away from the dining room as Maddox brought me out to one of the common balconies, his hand around my waist even when we got there and no one was watching.

It was only when I wanted to rest the back of my forearms on the railing that he let me go.

I even leaned forward, watching the beauty of the estate, from the flowers, to the blooming trees and the cool breeze hitting my face all the way down to my exposed shoulders.

“I’d ask if you’re okay, but I already know the answer to that,” he said, standing behind me and trapping me with his arms by placing his hands on the railing.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I knew she was up to something, but not that.”

He chuckled. “Anything is possible with her and that look on her fucking face was everything when she failed.”

I chuckled. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

I looked up at him. “For making sure I didn’t get up. Things would’ve turned out differently.”

“What type of boyfriend‘ would I be if I didn’t stop you?” He smirked.

I chuckled as I looked back at the view below, but closed my eyes and arched my back when he suddenly began to reposition the ends of my hair that caressed my skin.

“Even if we weren’t doing all this, I wasn’t going to let you do that in front of Margot and Tiffany.”

I wasn’t even able to respond to that, too focused on the way he made me feel.

When he stopped and took a few steps back, I pressed my lips together with disappointment. Just when it was starting to get good, he had to leave me wanting more.