Harper

COPING

Writers Pov:

Days and weeks passed, but Harper remained nowhere to be seen. Caroline's heart ached with hunger and worry, her mind consumed by the question: was her baby girl dead or alive?

History repeated itself for the Moretti's, but this time, their coping mechanisms were put to the test. Hades, deprived of sleep for days, mourned the kidnapping of his little sister. 

Though not close to Harper, the mere thought of her safety brought a flicker of happiness to his troubled soul. 

But the uncertainty gnawed at him like a rabid dog, driving him to the edge of madness. Determined to find her, he vowed to crush anyone who dared to lay a hand on her.

Now, onto Hardin, the family's black sheep, known as the disappointment. He despised Harper with every fiber of his being—or so he claimed.

 His attempts to make her hate him backfired, leaving him tangled in a mess of emotions. Harper's absence sent him spiraling into a world of excess, drowning his sorrows in alcohol, smoke, and even the company of maids.

 If only someone understood his pain.

Next up was Hendrix, whose love for Harper knew no bounds. Unable to cope with her disappearance, he devoted his every moment to checking on his family.

 But beneath his cheerful facade lurked a darkness that begged for attention.

Then there was Hansel, the family doctor, lost in a sea of uncertainty. He neither liked nor hated Harper, but he understood her importance to the family. 

As he immersed himself in books, he clung to the hope of one day healing her tortured soul.

Hades, the father and ex-don, grappled with his failure to protect his family. But he refused to give up, rallying his men to search tirelessly for Harper. 

His outward strength belied the turmoil within, his faith in her survival wavering.

And Hunter, often likened to Hardin, yearned for Harper's love but knew he didn't deserve it. His inability to protect her weighed heavily on his soul, leaving scars both seen and unseen.

But enough about them—what about Harper? That remained the burning question, as the Moretti family grappled with their own demons while searching for their lost daughter.

....

Deep under Little Napoli's busy streets in NYC hides the secretive La Speranza Club. There, Harper silently suffers, her agony concealed from most.

Among her captors, one leers with perverse desire, eager to cause pain. 

To them, Harper is just a pawn in a cruel game, her abduction's reasons unknown but the pleasure in her torment undeniable.

"Please, no more," Harper begs, her desperation echoing in the damp cell.

 But her pleas are met with mocking laughter as they inflict further agony, a modified butter knife leaving searing marks on her skin.

In her torment, Harper's thoughts swirl with confusion and fear. Why her? Why now? And then, the mastermind enters.

He exudes power and authority, commanding respect even from hardened criminals. But beneath his facade lies a darkness Harper finds strangely alluring, despite its danger.

"I'll only ask once," he growls, disgust in his voice. "Where is he?"

Confusion clouds Harper's mind. Who is he referring to? But defiance replaces confusion as she realizes – they seek to harm her son, her reason for enduring this nightmare.

"I'll never tell you," she spits, fueled by maternal instinct.

 As the figure rises to leave, his regret is palpable, overshadowed only by his determination to uncover the truth.

As Harper is escorted to a "better" room, a glimmer of hope flickers.

 But a question lingers – are they destined for more than adversaries? Or is their connection a dangerous illusion, leading to more pain and betrayal?