Under Opposite Skies

Chapter 4

Harper parked the SUV at the entrance of her house and turned off the engine, letting the soft hum of the air conditioning be replaced by the sound of the wind and the distant murmur of the waves. She took a deep breath, savoring the moment of peace before entering the mansion. She had spent the day with Leah and Morgan at the Seaside Ridge Club, and while it had been relaxing for the most part, she still couldn't shake the unease that had lingered since the party the night before.

She got out of the car, closing the door softly, and walked toward the imposing entrance of the Hargrave mansion. The lights were on, which meant her parents, Liam and Charlotte, were home. *What a miracle,* Harper thought sarcastically. Her parents, owners of a chain of luxury hotels, were always traveling for work. Seeing them at home two nights in a row was rare, though Harper knew the reason for their presence was the charity gala being held the following night—an event the Hargrave family could not miss.

As she opened the door, the soft scent of lavender and vanilla candles, her mother's favorite, enveloped her. She kicked off her sandals and crossed the foyer toward the living room, where she heard the familiar murmur of voices.

"Harper!" Her mother's cheerful voice called from the living room. "Come here, sweetheart!"

Harper dropped her bag on the hallway table and walked into the room, where she found her parents sitting on the elegant beige velvet sofa, both holding wine glasses. The image was almost too perfect—her mother, in a flawless ivory dress with her blonde hair neatly pinned up, and her father, freshly shaven and relaxed in a white linen shirt.

"How was the club?" her mother asked, smiling with a warmth that only surfaced during the family's quietest moments.

"Fine," Harper replied, forcing a small smile. "It was... the usual."

"The usual?" her father interjected with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose that means you had a great time."

Harper shrugged and dropped into the armchair across from them, exhausted. She didn't want to admit that she had felt out of place, even among her friends.

"Well, sweetheart, tomorrow's the big night," her mother said, her eyes sparkling. "The charity gala! And I want you to be ready. I left a couple of dresses in your closet that the designers sent over this morning. They're stunning. You're going to dazzle."

Harper nodded slowly. She knew the gala was a big event for her family, and she was expected to look flawless. It was a showcase for the best families in Palm Beach, where image was everything. And her mother, of course, was in her element, as always.

"I figured you had something ready for me," Harper said, crossing her arms in a slightly defensive gesture.

"There are actually two options," her mother continued. "I want you to take your time choosing. One is a gold dress that will highlight your skin, and the other is more subdued, in navy blue. Both are spectacular, but you decide which one will make you feel more comfortable."

Harper felt a twinge of irritation. She knew her mother wanted the best for her, but sometimes it felt like she was being molded to fit a role she hadn't chosen. *The perfect Palm Beach girl,* she thought sarcastically.

"Thanks, Mom," Harper said, trying to sound grateful. "I'll try them on later."

Her mother smiled, and then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, gave her a meaningful look.

"Harper, darling," Charlotte began, with a casual tone that fooled no one, "you'll be going to the gala with Matt, right?"

Her mother's comment landed like a stone in Harper's stomach. It wasn't the first time Charlotte had suggested that she and Matt should be together, but this time there was something about the way she said it that made Harper feel more uncomfortable than usual.