Love and Obsession Series Book 1: Her Mr. Hardman
المؤلف
M. A. L'amour
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355K
الفصول
39
Harper leaves her school years behind, convinced she has finally escaped the boy who made every day feel like a battle. Ryker is a memory she would rather bury, tied to sharp words, colder stares, and emotions she never quite understood. But distance does not erase everything. When their paths cross again, the past refuses to stay quiet. Familiar tension returns, only now it carries a different edge, one that feels far more complicated than simple resentment. Harper finds herself caught between what she remembers and what she begins to see, as layers peel back and old certainties blur. The connection she once fought against now lingers in unexpected ways, pulling her closer when she should walk away. And suddenly, moving on feels far less simple than she ever imagined.
Chapter 1
HARPER
Graduation day had finally arrived, and the air was charged with excitement and anticipation. As I stood in line with my cap and gown, my heart raced and my palms grew damp.
It wasn’t the prospect of leaving college that made me nervous and happy at the same time; it was the fact that I would finally get to live my life without fear, without anxiety…and without my nightmare.
I had avoided him as much as possible during all those days, but today, it seemed impossible to escape him. The ceremony was small, and everyone was gathered in the same place.
I could feel his presence behind me, his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.
Trying to stay composed, I glanced around, searching for a friendly face in the crowd. I spotted my best friend, Emily, and gave her a weak smile.
We would finally graduate together. Emily had always been there to support me, and today was no different.
She mouthed reassuring words, reminding me to stay strong as she tilted her cap and winked at me.
The dean’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker, announcing the commencement of the ceremony.
I took a deep breath as the line of graduates began to move. I stepped forward, inching closer to the stage, and that’s when I felt it—a light brush against my arm.
I turned my head slightly and found myself face-to-face with Ryker. His intense blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I froze.
My stomach dropped and my throat tightened. Every nerve in my body screamed to look away.
I had been good at avoiding those eyes for years, because every time they found me, something cruel followed. A shiver of fear ran down my spine.
I remembered the day I defiantly met his gaze, only to be cornered. I could still feel how tightly I clutched my books when that same icy stare pinned me in place.
He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath ghost across my cheek. The world around me shrank until I could barely breathe.
For one terrifying second, I thought he would—no. But I thought he was about to kiss me!
Instead, his hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of my hair, making me yelp in pain. He pulled my head back just enough to sneer.
“Keep it tied,” he muttered coldly, shoving my hair into a messy knot before letting go. My scalp burned, but the humiliation burned even more. He always hated my hair.
That was just one of the many pains he inflicted on me.
Then, the very first day we met flashed in my mind.
The campus was abuzz with activity as students rushed to their classes. I could feel the students’ excitement, but I was so nervous. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. My eyes darted nervously around the campus.
I was on my way to my first class, clutching my books tightly and trying to find the place and blend in with the crowd. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned to find a man towering over me, smirking and exuding an air of superiority. His blue eyes were piercing.
His perfectly styled, dirty-blond hair accentuated his chiseled jawline, adding to his overall aura of confidence. His T-shirt hugged his broad shoulders as he crossed his arms, emphasizing his powerful presence.
“What do we have here?” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. “You look like a lost little lamb wandering into the lion’s den.”
Ignoring his tone, I flashed him a smile, my eyes blinking rapidly. I was new to this school, and maybe I could ask him for some information. “Hi, how are you? I’m Harper…”
“Harper, huh?” he sneered, his eyes narrowing. I couldn’t read him, but it was eerie when he looked so impassive.
“Actually, I was just trying to find my way around,” I said softly. “Do you know where the Wing building is?”
His laughter echoed through the corridor, drawing the attention of curious onlookers. I noticed how frightened and astonished they appeared as they looked in my direction.
“Ryker,” a voice called, and footsteps followed.
A man leaped onto the man in front of me, laughing and shaking his shoulders. Two other men chuckled as they watched me.
“Uhm.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll find it.” My voice was steady despite the nerves bubbling within me.
“No. No. No. Not so fast. Who is this?” the man asked, eyeing me curiously. “A hoody girl in a skirt.”
Was he mocking my clothes?
“She asked me where the Wing building is,” Ryker said, his tone bored.
The boys erupted in laughter.
“Oh, you need Ryker’s help now, do you? How adorable,” the man with black hair scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I’m afraid you asked the wrong guy.”
They made me feel smaller with every passing moment. Even though I didn’t want them to sense my vulnerability, I knew it showed on my face, and now, they were exploiting it for their amusement.
And it dawned on me. The wrong guy…
Every school has the wrong guy…
I swallowed nervously. Bullies and tormentors existed everywhere.
I had met one before. They were the ones who reveled in causing pain to others, who found pleasure in making someone feel small and helpless.
I took a deep breath, mustering every ounce of courage I could find, even though my knees felt like giving out.
“I’ll find my way. I’m sorry for bothering you.” I turned to leave, but Ryker spoke.
“The Wing building is right ahead, down this alley, and then turn to your left,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
I turned to look at him, but he just cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. Did he always look like that? Like everything seemed to annoy him.
“Thank you,” I replied with genuine gratitude, but I noticed his friend’s mocking grin. My smile faltered, and I turned away quickly.
From then on, I knew I was in trouble.
And I was right. He always made me regret choosing that school.
Every day, I lived in constant fear. And now, standing in line with him so close, I couldn’t help but feel that same fear twisting inside me.
Taking a deep, silent breath, I forced myself not to flinch under the weight of his stare.
I quickly looked away.
“Harper.”
I flinched.
Did he call me?
He called me names, but never my name. That made me even more scared. What was it now?
The dean’s voice pulled me back to the present. As we continued to inch forward in line, the fear that had gripped my heart began to subside, but was somehow replaced by strange, mixed emotions.
Taking a deep breath, I smiled. Graduation day was supposed to be about celebrating our achievements, and I couldn’t let Ryker’s presence ruin it for me.
I straightened my posture, held my head high, and decided that today, I would face my fear head-on and make the most of this momentous day.
Later, in the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror, glad that I was able to pull it off. I smiled—a genuine smile.
This would be my last day to ever see him.
After washing and drying my hands, I pushed open the door and stopped dead.
Shoulder propped against the tiled wall, Ryker’s arms were crossed like he’d been waiting.
My pulse spiked, and I instinctively stumbled back. His blue eyes pinned me the way they always had.
Fear gripped my heart, and I looked down.
“We need to talk,” he said.
The words made my chest tighten. Every memory of his cruelty, his taunts, the sting of his grip in my hair every time I wore it down, hit me all at once.
I should have turned. I should have run. Instead, I stood there, shaking from within.
I felt my knees weaken.
He took a step. And I flinched.
“Harper.”
I stiffened, not because of his usual rough voice, but because of the softness in his tone that made me look at him.
Our eyes locked. His eyes softened.
And something flickered across his face. Not contempt. Not anger. Something else—something I never expected to see.
Remorse?
