Page 76 of The Truth of Us

My father squeezed my shoulder once. The gesture was slight, but it nearly undid me. Because for years I had convinced myself I needed to prove I could stand on my own before returning here. That accepting this role somehow meant failing. Taking the easy path. But standing in this room, surrounded by people who loved me, I realized how foolish that was.

I hadn't been running toward independence.

I had been running from belonging.

A few minutes later I slipped away from the crowd and out onto the covered terrace overlooking the snow-covered grounds. The cold bit immediately. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked out across the property. The same view I'd grown up with.

The door opened behind me. I didn't need to turn around.

"That was exciting! Can I be a part of your debutante reveal?"

Oliver.

I smiled. "You followed me."

"I did."

I glanced over my shoulder. He looked unfairly handsome standing there. Dark hair, slightly messy. Hands shoved into his pockets. No attempt whatsoever to hide the fact that he'd come looking for me.

"Your mother sent you."

He barked out a laugh. "Absolutely."

I hummed and turned back to the view.

"She said you looked overwhelmed."

I considered denying it. Then decided I was too tired. "A little."

Oliver came up beside me and nodded. After a minute, he spoke. "Are you okay, Harper?"

Not what happened, or who hurt you. Just… Are you okay?

The simplicity of it was overwhelming, because I knew he genuinely cared about that answer.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The wind carried across the property, rattling the bare branches in the distance. Somewhere inside the house, laughter drifted through the glass doors.

"I heard you gave your notice."

I glanced at him; of course, he knew. There wasn't much that happened in our world that stayed quiet for long.

"I did."

"I was worried at first, but now with the announcement it makes sense. How do you feel about everything?"

I laughed softly. "That's a dangerous question."

His mouth twitched. "Why?"

"Because the answer changes every fifteen minutes."

That earned a full laugh. "I think that's probably normal."

I stared out across the snow-covered grounds. "Sometimes I feel relieved." Oliver nodded, and I continued, "Sometimes I feel like I'm making a terrible mistake." Another nod. "And sometimes..." I hesitated.

"Sometimes?"

I swallowed. "Sometimes I feel like I'm finally heading in the right direction."