Aftermath

Wilson’s mother didn’t hide her resentment towards Harper. Her newly dyed blonde hair gave her the appearance of a woman in her 40s instead of someone in her 50s.

“I have high respect for the seniors. But I believe you are out of line to accuse my girlfriend of something she didn’t do.” Roland said. His tone was dead cold that even Harper was left to stare at his sudden intrusion.

Mrs. Barlowe’s ears turned bright pink.

“Roland Bretford, huh.” The man sitting beside Mrs. Barlowe raised a toast towards him. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Can’t help but say, Harper, have good tastes in men.”

Roland smiled.

“I agree and disagree. She had terrible taste until she met me.”

His last comment was not missed even by the other table. Harper couldn’t believe what was happening.

Both of Wilson’s parents were red in the face. Roland had subtly called their son as trash, worthless.

Any parent would be mad after hearing such things. Yet, the two just glared at Harper and refused to engage in a verbal argument with Roland Bretford.

“Is that the kind of lie this vile woman tells you?”

Harper turned towards Wilson’s grandmother. She was in her seventies, but the woman was still walking around, healthy as a horse.

She used to share some delightful cookies with Harper and stories of the good old days when Harper visited her on random days.

Her comment broke Harper’s heart. She was the last person she thought would be swayed by what Wilson had told them.

No one in Wilson’s family even took the time to get her side of the story or asked if whatever Wilson had told them had at least any truth to it.

Before Roland could stand up for her again, she looked at everyone at the round table. Wilson and Adeline’s friends were seated right behind.

This was what Claire had in mind when she dragged Harper.

This was one of the many reasons Gwyn didn’t want Harper to come. But despite her friend’s insistence, Harper still came.

Why?

Because no matter what they thought of her, she no longer cared.

The moment she signed those divorce papers, they stopped mattering to Harper.

“I told no lies,” Harper looked at Wilson’s grandmother. “I appreciated your genuine kindness when I had been part of your family. I hope you continue to extend that kindness to Adeline," Harper paused, smiling before finishing her sentence.

“And to all of his future wives, perhaps.”

Harper raised her hand when Wilson’s mother rose from her seat to say something.

“No, you have no right to say anything to me. In fact, my relationship with all of you has been severed.”

Harper turned toward Claire, a smirk on her lips.

“Thank you for showing me who you truly are. I needed that. The next time we meet, I’ll make sure that none of you can even speak my name the way you did today. I’ll show you what a Montgomery can do.”

—

‘Really, Harper? Were you trying to boast about something you didn’t have?’ Harper shook her head, feeding herself a spoonful of ice cream right after.

She was sitting at the edge of her bed while Gwyneth sang inside the shower.

After coming back from the wedding, Harper threw herself on the bed. She had been too confident to leave such unbelievable claims.

“Are you a star or something?” Harper pursed her lips.

But was she supposed to remain silent and let Roland Bretford defend her? The latter didn’t even know her story. He was no one but a stranger she happened to meet in New York.

Other than that, it was nothing special.

Thinking about Roland, Harper scoffed upon remembering their conversation. If they met under different circumstances, Harper wondered if he would even bat his eyes her way.

He seemed like the type who only welcomed people if he liked them.

Scoffing, Harper shook her head for the second time. She was already in her pajamas, ready to hit the bed sometime later when the tub of ice cream on her lap would be finished.

Suddenly, she got an incoming call and she was surprised to find Ro’s name appearing on the caller id.

Picking up on the third ring, Harper waited for him to say something.

“Are you feeling better?”

Harper snorted.

“Is that your excuse for making this call?”

“Maybe.”.

“Oh please, Mr. Bretford. Let’s be honest here. What is it?” Harper thought for a second. “I returned your coat, and I think we’re even on the coffee incident. Did you change your mind about me ruining your schedule?”

“No,” Roland replied. “You didn’t ruin anything. In fact, you saved me.”

“Oh?”

“But regarding that. I have a proposal to make so we can actually make things even.”

Harper heard the bathroom door opening. She didn’t want Gwyneth to hear her talking on the phone with Roland, or she would surely assume the worst.

Hopping out of bed, Harper pushed past Gwyn, who had just stepped out of the shower. She smiled sheepishly at her friend, pointing towards her phone.

“My brother,” Harper mouthed.

Gwyneth had her brows knitted together, looking at Harper suspiciously. However, before she could say anything, the latter had already shut and locked the door.

“Did you just… locked the door to hide?” Roland sounded amused.

“Long story,” Harper admitted. “But I’m ready to hear you out now, come on and spill.”

“Alright, hear me out before you make any comments then.”

Harper had wanted to say something but had decided to let him finish instead.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“First, let’s clear something up. You’re not dating anyone right now, are you?”

Harper snorted.

“Do you think I would have dragged you to that wedding if I were?”

“Just to make sure because,” Roland cleared his throat. “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for the next three months.”

There was a brief pause.

“Think of it as a little extension of what we have done for today. Let's make this a win-win situation for the two of us.”

Roland Bretford’s proposal had Harper thinking of what that might entail. But she was willing to hear him out anyway. After what he had done for her, playing pretend for three months was nothing.

“You’ve piqued my interest. Go ahead.”

“I’m sure your ex-husband’s family are still loathing about what you and I have said to them. So, if I’m not mistaken, they would do some digging around regarding you and me. It would do you a favor if they learned we were actually serious instead of playing pretend.”

“Okay. So how does this benefit you?”

“I need to convince my family that I’m no longer available when it comes to a romantic relationship.”

Harper was unable to hold in her laughter. She had to put a hand over her mouth, afraid Gwyneth would suspect her if she heard Harper laughing inside the bathroom while talking to her ‘brother.’

“Ah, did I save you from another blind date then? Is that what you meant earlier?”

“Yes. You did. But it’s a win-win, right? You get what you need; I get what I need too. No one loses.”

“You do make a hard bargain,” Harper paused for a few minutes, considering something regarding Roland Bretford’s proposal. “Let’s say I agree to it. We need to make some ground rules.”

“Sure. I’m all ears, Harper.”

Harper cleared her throat.

“When we’re in front of the audience who we intend to play pretend, holding hands, hugging, kissing cheeks are allowed. But no kissing, if you know what I mean.”

Roland Bretford snorted from the other line.

“What if we need to, you know? In case someone doesn’t believe we’re actually together. What then?”

“That could be an exception. But I don’t think I have to elaborate on rule number one. Do I?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay, second thing for consideration. We can’t ask too many personal questions. We can share life stories to convince people around us. But beyond that, it’s a no-no.”

“Okay.”

Harper nodded. She was feeling a little better about them coming to an agreement.

“Okay. Lastly, we can’t let everyone know about this fake relationship except for the people who are concerned. I think that’s clear enough to be understood.”

“Indeed,” Roland hummed. “So this means you’re not letting me do this alone, right?”

“Should I do that instead?”

Roland chuckled. Harper could picture out his bright eyes lighting up with the brief excitement. She somehow hoped she was seeing it in person.

Realizing what was going on, Harper shook her head.

‘Don’t go down that road, Harper. You’ll embarrass yourself.’ She mentally warned herself.

It was dangerous to even consider anything at this point. Harper needed to clear her head and make sure she and Roland maintained a professional relationship.

But it seemed fun to be his friend. She could imagine them sharing more laughs about random things.

‘Not bad.’

“No. Please, don’t,” Roland’s pleading voice took Harper out of her thoughts. “I can’t date myself. Can I?”