The Fallen King | ✓

Chapter 29

~Chapter 29~

Was feeling empty a valid emotion? Because that was the only way to describe how I felt in that moment. Numb.

Mother and I stared at each other, neither of us daring to break eye contact first. She looked terrified and I was sure I just appeared vacant. I had no words. What was I supposed to say?

It made sense the more I thought about it. The tanned skin, the hazel eyes, the straighter noses. It was like slotting the final piece of a puzzle into place.

"Harper?" Mother finally whispered, the uninterrupted quiet getting to her.

"Don't," I said sharply when I saw her open her mouth about to try and explain her actions. "Don't even bother."

I was sitting down but my legs were still trembling and my hands were shaking. Dad didn't deserve this. "Tell him."

She shook her head violently, the most ungraceful thing I'd ever seen her do. "No, and Harper you will not either. Our marriage is on thin ice as it is. This will break him."

"He deserves the truth," I insisted, refusing to let my eyes stray from hers. For once, I would meet mother head-on and would not back down. I had to do this for dad. He had a right to know. When she shook her head again, I threw my arms up in exasperation. "Mother, if you don't tell him I will. It'll be a lot better if he finds out from you rather than me."

"Harper, I will not. Our family is too fragile at the moment. This is not the right time," she tried to reason but I was having none of it.

I stood up, brushing invisible dust off from my jeans. "It's been over seventeen years. You've had plenty of time," I spat. "Mother I thought you wanted to change."

"I do."

"Then make this right."

"I can't," she said, her eyes shining with tears.

I wanted to comfort her. I could tell that she regretted this wholeheartedly because mother never cried. She never showed emotion. But I didn't. My mind was focused on dad, the parent who had been there for me from the start.

"I hope this doesn't ruin our relationship, mother because, truly, I'd love to rebuild it with you but I have to tell dad, I'm sorry," before she could try to stop me, I was out the door, taking the stairs two at a time to reach dad's study as fast as I could.

Out of habit, I knocked before entering, hearing a familiar 'come in' before I pushed open the heavy oak door.

Dad was sat behind his desk, typing away on his keyboard until his bright blue eyes flicked up to meet mine. "Harper," he said warmly, gesturing for me to sit opposite him in a plush, faux leather armchair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Hey dad," I returned, trying to smile back but it was obviously forced.

Dad immediately sat up straighter, giving me his full attention. He would always notice when something was wrong with me, be it big or small. "What's wrong, darling?"

My words caught in my throat. How was I supposed to tell him that the twins weren't his children? I couldn't just casually throw it into a conversation. Maybe this was a bad idea. I breathed out heavily, not meeting his gaze as I rubbed my fingers together — an anxious habit of mine. "There's something I need to tell you."

He nodded encouragingly, waiting for me to continue with a patient smile on his face.

Dad didn't deserve this.

Just say it, Harper, I coached myself. Rip the plaster clean off; it'll be easier that way. "Dad I'm going to tell you something really serious. Just promise me you won't freak out."