Chapter 17 - We’re Done
Vanessa stood near the patio table with mascara gathering beneath her eyes.
“Harper, tell them to leave.”
Harper looked at her.
“Why?”
“This is my house.”
Aunt Carol answered.
“A house Harper helped save.”
Vanessa flinched.
Harper did not need anyone to defend her now.
She stepped toward her sister.
The torn fabric hung loosely from her shoulder.
Vanessa stared at the scar, but the disgust was gone.
In its place was fear.
“You embarrassed me,” Vanessa whispered.
Harper’s face became cold.
“You tore my clothing in front of your children.”
“You threatened me.”
“I set a boundary.”
“You brought Owen into this.”
“I did not know he would be here.”
Vanessa’s anger cracked.
“Why does everyone always choose you once they know the truth?”
Harper understood then.
Vanessa did not hate the scar.
She hated what it represented.
Harper had endured something Vanessa could not diminish once other people recognized it.
“You had twenty years to know me,” Harper said.
“You never told me anything.”
“You never asked without mocking me.”
Vanessa began crying.
“Are you going to destroy my family over one mistake?”
Harper looked at Dylan, the forged document, the hidden camera, and the torn shirt.
“This was not one mistake.”
Vanessa reached toward her.
Harper stepped back.
“Do not touch me.”
Her sister froze.
Harper repeated the words she had spoken after the sleeve was torn.
“We’re done.”
May you like
This time, everyone understood she meant more than the barbecue.
👉 Harper walked away from Vanessa—but Caleb followed her with a question she could not ignore.
