Page 184 of Broken Destiny

No missed calls.

No replies.

No sign that he even remembered I existed.

The memory of that long, lonely wait still pressed heavily against my chest as I picked up my clutch from the dresser and turned toward the door.

Now it was Sunday.

His wedding day.

And somehow, I was getting ready to attend it.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me out of my thoughts.

My heart leapt before I grabbed it.

Harper.

He said he would be there soon to pick me up.

Minutes later, a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” I called, forcing steadiness into my voice.

The door opened, and Harper stepped inside, dressed in a black-and-white tuxedo.

“Wow!” he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he looked at me. “You never fail to take my breath away!”

Despite everything twisting painfully inside me, warmth touched my cheeks at the kindness in his voice. I managed a small smile.

“Let’s go,” I said softly.

Together, we stepped out of the bedroom and walked into the living area of the hotel suite.

We headed toward the second bedroom where Emma and Lucas were resting.

They had come back late last night from their sleepover at Elle’s house, exhausted but excited, chattering endlessly about the games they had played and the movies they had watched.

The moment I opened the bedroom door, both of them looked up at me from the bed.

“Mama, you look pwetty,” Emma said sleepily

My heart melted.

“Thanks, baby,” I replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Alright, naptime for an hour, then pool time for half an hour, dinner, and then bed, okay?”

“Yes, Mama!” they answered together, their voices bright and cheerful.

I smiled faintly at them.

They were my strength, my reason to keep going, my anchor through every storm life had thrown at me.

If today went wrong—if everything fell apart—I wanted to remember that I had tried.That I had fought for the truth.

I took one last look at them before quietly closing the bedroom door behind me.

Then I followed Harper to the elevator downstairs, clutching my purse as we walked.