She Broke Into the Mansion and Kissed a Dying Heir… Seconds Later, the Monitors Started Beeping

The rain fell like whispers against the tall windows of the Sterling family tall windows of the Sterling family mansion. A grand estate that sat on the mansion. A grand estate that sat on the edge of the city like a fortress edge of the city like a fortress guarding secrets. Inside the air was guarding secrets.

 Inside the air was thick with grief and something darker, thick with grief and something darker, something that tasted like greed wrapped something that tasted like greed wrapped in morning clothes. in morning clothes. The rain fell like whispers against the Sebastian Sterling lay motionless in an ornate bed, his face pale as winter snow, his chest barely rising with shallow breaths that seemed ready to stop at any moment.

 The doctors had already left, shaking their heads with that practiced sadness that meant they’d done all they could. And it wasn’t enough. The family gathered around like vultures, circling something not quite dead yet. their black suits and dresses making them look like shadows come to life. Grandma Claraara sat in a highbacked chair near the bed, her wrinkled hands clutching a handkerchief, her eyes red but sharp, watching everyone with the weariness of someone who’d lived through too many family wars to trust anyone completely. The whispers had already

started, floating through the hallways like poison. words about wills and shares and who would control the Sterling Corporation once the young master finally stopped breathing. Mason Harrove, the second son of the family, stood near the window with his arms crossed, his face arranged in an expression of concern that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

 He’d been making phone calls all morning, quiet, urgent conversations that stopped whenever someone walked too close. The servants moved through the room like ghosts, their faces carefully blank, but their ears catching every word, every hint of what would come next. Outside the bedroom door, the arguments had already begun about funeral arrangements, about press releases, about who would stand where and say what when the cameras arrived.

Nobody seemed to notice that Sebastian’s hand, lying pale against the dark sheets, had twitched slightly, or that his eyelids had flickered as if he were fighting his way up from some deep, dark place. The clock on the mantle ticked steadily, marking time that everyone assumed was running out, while the rain kept falling, and the mansion held its breath, waiting for what came next.

Then, like a thunderclap in a silent room, the main doors downstairs crashed open with a bang that echoed through the whole house. The sound of running footsteps, fast and uneven, came pounding up the marble staircase, and voices started shouting in alarm as security tried to stop whoever was coming.

 The bedroom door flew open so hard it bounced off the wall and everyone turned to stare at the girl who burst through like a small tornado made of desperation and wild determination. She was tiny, barely 5t tall, with long dark hair tangled from running and clothes that looked homemade, simple cotton dress and worn boots that had clearly walked many mountain paths.

 Her face was flushed and stre with tears, her eyes wide and frantic as they locked onto Sebastian’s still form. This was Harper Sinclair, though nobody in that room knew her name yet, and she looked absolutely nothing like the polished, sophisticated women who usually walked these halls.

 She looked like she’d just climbed down from some forgotten mountain village, which was exactly what she’d done. and she looked like her whole world was ending as she rushed toward the bed. The security guards who’d been chasing her finally caught up, grabbing her arms. But she fought like a wild cat, twisting and pulling with surprising strength for someone so small.

 She was sobbing, great gasping sobs that shook her whole body, words tumbling out in a rush that was half mountain dialect and half pure emotion. >> No, no, no. You can’t be dead. You can’t leave me. I came all this way. You promised. You can’t just die. >> Her voice cracked on the last word, raw and desperate, and she managed to wrench one arm free, reaching towards Sebastian with trembling fingers.

 Mason stepped forward quickly, his face twisted in anger and disgust. Who is this crazy person? Get her out of here. This is a private family matter. The guards pulled harder, but Harper dug her heels in, and something in her eyes shifted from grief to fierce determination. That look mountain people get when they’ve decided something and nothing in the world will change their mind.

She stopped struggling suddenly, going very still. And when she spoke again, her voice was different. Quieter, but somehow more powerful, carrying a weight that made everyone pause. >> He’s not dead. I can save him. Let me try. >> Her words dropped into the room like stones into water, creating ripples of shocked silence.

One of the aunts, a woman dripping with jewelry and scorn, laughed sharply. >> Save him. The best doctors in the country couldn’t help. And you think some country girl can walk in here and perform miracles. >> But Harper wasn’t looking at her. Her eyes were fixed on Sebastian’s face with an intensity that was almost frightening.

 And she was seeing things nobody else could see, reading signs in the palar of his skin and the rhythm of his breathing that spoke to knowledge older than modern medicine. Grandma Claraara raised one hand, a small gesture that somehow commanded attention. >> Wait, let her speak. >> Her voice was thin with age, but steady, and everyone fell silent because when Grandma Clara spoke, even grown men with fortunes listened.

Harper turned to the old woman, and something passed between them. Some recognition of strength meeting strength across generations and circumstances. Respected grandmother, please. I know I look strange to you. I know you don’t know me, but I studied medicine in the mountains with healers who learned from healers going back hundreds of years.

 I can see his life energy is blocked, trapped, not gone. If you give me one chance, just one, I can bring him back.” >> Her words tumbled out in a rush, sincere and urgent, her hands clasped together like she was praying. Mason’s face darkened like a storm. >> This is absurd. She’s clearly some kind of con artist trying to take advantage of our grief.

 Probably heard about the young master’s condition and came looking for a reward. >> He turned to the guards with a sharp gesture. >> Remove her immediately and call the police. We’ll press charges for trespassing and whatever else we can think of. But Harper had already made her move. With a sudden burst of speed that caught everyone off guard, she twisted out of the guard’s grip, using some technique that looked impossible, and lunged for the bed.

 Before anyone could stop her, she was leaning over Sebastian, her hands pressing against his chest, her face inches from his. >> “Forgive me,” >> she whispered so quietly only he could have heard if he’d been conscious. And then she pressed her lips to his in what looked exactly like a desperate kiss. The room exploded. Someone screamed.

Multiple people started shouting at once. Hands grabbed at Harper trying to pull her away. And Mason’s voice rose above the chaos. She’s assaulting him. She’s defiling the young master. This is outrageous. But Harper held on with surprising strength. Her small hands gripping Sebastian’s shoulders. her mouth sealed over his.

And if anyone had been watching carefully instead of panicking, they would have seen that she was breathing in a very specific rhythm. Long, deep breaths that seemed to pull something from the air itself and push it into his lungs. Her eyes were closed in fierce concentration, and a faint shimmer seemed to ripple across her skin like heat waves on summer pavement.

30 seconds passed, 40, and just when the guards were about to physically tear her away, Sebastian’s body jerked. His back arched slightly off the bed. His chest expanded with a sudden deep breath, and his eyes flew open wide and startled and very much alive. Harper pulled back quickly, breathing hard, her face flushed and triumphant and still tear stained, and she stared down at him with an expression of such pure relief and joy that it was almost painful to witness.

Sebastian stared up at her, confused and disoriented, his dark eyes trying to focus on the strange girl hovering over him, and his voice came out rough and cracked from disuse. Who are you? >> The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone froze, staring at the bed like they just witnessed someone rise from the dead, which in a way they had.

Grandma Claraara’s hand went to her heart, her eyes wide, and even Mason’s carefully arranged expression cracked for a moment, showing shock underneath. Harper smiled through her tears, bright and relieved. >> “You’re awake. Thank the heavens you’re awake. >> But Mason recovered quickly, his mind already racing through what this meant for his plans.

 What did you do to him? What kind of trick is this? He turned to the room. She probably gave him something to make him wake up temporarily. This could be dangerous. Harper turned to face him and her expression changed completely. All the softness vanishing, replaced by something fierce and knowing. She looked at Mason with eyes that seemed to see right through him.

 And when she spoke, her voice carried a strange weight. >> You have darkness around you, second young master. A shadow of blood and disaster. The spirits whisper warnings about you. >> Mason’s face went pale, then red with fury. How dare you speak to me like that? You’re just a crazy mountain girl. But before he could continue, the sky outside suddenly darkened and a crack of thunder so loud it shook the windows boomed overhead.

 Then lightning struck somewhere very close. So bright the whole room lit up white and the lights flickered. Everyone jumped, several people crying out, and Harper’s eyes seemed to glow for just a moment in the strange light. >> “The heavens confirm what I see,” >> she said quietly. And now there was real fear in some of the faces around the room because that timing had been too perfect to ignore.

 Mason’s hands clenched into fists. She’s some kind of witch. Guards arrest her now. >> This time the guards grabbed her firmly, pulling her away from the bed. Despite her protests, she didn’t fight hard, but she kept her eyes on Sebastian, who was still staring at her with confusion and something else.

 something he couldn’t quite name. >> I’m Harper Sinclair. I came from the mountains to help you. >> Please remember that. >> Then she was gone and the room fell into shocked silence. Sebastian sat up slowly, his body weak but definitely alive and looked at his grandmother. >> What just happened? Grandma Claraara moved to his side, tears streaming down her face as she took his hand.

>> You were dying and that girl brought you back. However she did it, you’re alive because of her. >> Mason stepped forward quickly. We don’t know that. She could have poisoned him earlier, and now she’s pretending to cure him. We need to investigate her thoroughly. But Sebastian wasn’t listening to Mason.

 He was staring at the door where Harper had disappeared, feeling something strange in his chest, a warmth that hadn’t been there before, and wondering why a complete stranger would look at him with such desperate devotion. Downstairs, Harper was being held in a small room by security while they waited for the police.

 She sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, not crying anymore, just waiting with that patient stillness mountain people have. When one of the guards asked her why she’d done such a crazy thing, she smiled softly. >> Because he needed me and because I need him, too, though he doesn’t know it yet. The guard shook his head, thinking she was definitely crazy.

 But there was something about her calm certainty that made him uncomfortable, like she knew things he didn’t, like she could see futures he couldn’t imagine. Upstairs, Mason was already making phone calls, his voice low and urgent. The young master is awake. Yes, awake. We need to move faster than planned. Get everything ready for tomorrow.

 Because Sebastian being alive was a problem for Mason’s carefully laid plans. But Mason had learned long ago that problems could be turned into opportunities if you were smart enough and ruthless enough. And Mason was both. Meanwhile, Sebastian lay back against his pillows, exhausted, but unable to sleep.

 His mind replaying the moment over and over, the feeling of breath flooding his lungs, the strange girl’s face so close to his, the absolute certainty in her eyes. He’d been aware in that dark place where he’d been trapped, unable to move or speak or even open his eyes, aware of the voices talking about his death, about his funeral, about who would take over his company.

 He’d felt the rage and helplessness of being buried alive in his own body. And then she’d come, this Harper Sinclair, and suddenly there was light and air and life again. Who was she? Why had she risked everything to save him? And why did he feel like something fundamental had just shifted in his world? The next morning, Sebastian insisted on getting up despite the doctor’s protests.

 He was weak, yes, but he was also the head of Sterling Corporation, and he’d heard enough yesterday to know that his death had set things in motion that needed to be stopped immediately. He dressed in a dark suit, his movement slow but determined, and went downstairs to find chaos. Mason had called an emergency family meeting, and the main hall was filled with relatives, executives, and lawyers.

Papers were spread across the long table, and Mason stood at the head of it, looking very much in charge. When Sebastian walked in, the room went silent. Mason’s face went through several expressions: shock, fear, anger, before settling on false joy. “Brother, you’re up. You should be resting. The doctor said you need to be careful.

” Sebastian ignored him and walked to the table, looking at the papers spread there, contracts, transfer documents, corporate restructuring plans, all of them giving Mason control of various pieces of the Sterling Empire. having a funeral without checking if I’m actually dead, brother.” Sebastian’s voice was cold and cutting.

 That seems a bit hasty. Mason’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. We were just preparing for the worst. Thank goodness you’re recovered. We can tear all these up now. But Sebastian picked up one of the documents, reading it carefully. This one has Grandma Claraara’s signature. When did she sign this? An uncomfortable silence fell.

 Grandma Claraara, sitting in her chair, looking much smaller and more tired than usual, spoke quietly. Yesterday evening, Mason said it was just a formality to make sure the company would be protected if anything happened to you. Sebastian’s jaw tightened. And did he mention that this particular document gives him the authority to sell off our medical division without board approval? Grandma Claraara’s face went pale.

 What? No, he said it was just emergency powers, temporary. Mason’s full smile disappeared. Brother, you’re clearly not well. You’re confused. Perhaps you should go back to bed and let us handle things until you’re stronger. Sebastian set the paper down and looked around the room at all the relatives and executives who’d been so ready to divide up his empire.

I’m perfectly clear. Clear enough to see that my near death was very convenient for certain people. His eyes locked on Mason. Clear enough to wonder if maybe it wasn’t entirely natural. The accusation hung in the air like smoke. Mason’s face flushed with anger. How dare you? I’ve done nothing but try to hold this family together while you were sick, and this is how you thank me.

Before Sebastian could respond, there was a commotion at the door. Harper’s voice rang out, arguing with security. I don’t care what you say. I need to see him. He’s still not safe. She burst into the room, slightly disheveled, her hair loose around her shoulders, still wearing the same simple dress from yesterday.

 Every head turned to stare at her, and the wealthy relatives looked at her like she was something strange that had crawled in from outside. Harper’s eyes found Sebastian immediately, and she rushed toward him. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet. Your energy is still recovering. If you push too hard, too fast, you could collapse.” Sebastian stared at her, this strange girl who kept appearing and throwing his ordered world into chaos.

 “Who are you really, and why do you care so much about what happens to me?” Harper stopped a few feet away. suddenly shy under his intense gaze and the staires of everyone else. She twisted her hands together nervously. “I told you I’m Harper Sinclair. I learned medicine in the mountains from my teacher.

 And I care because she hesitated then lifted her chin with determination. Because we’re supposed to be married.” The room erupted. People started talking all at once, shocked exclamations and scandalized whispers. One of the aunts actually gasped like she was going to faint. Mason laughed, harsh and mocking. Married to you? A mountain girl with no family, no background, probably no education.

 Do you know who the Sterling family is? Harper turned to face him, and her eyes flashed with something dangerous. I know exactly who you all are. Rich people who think money makes them better than everyone else. But money doesn’t make your blood cleaner or your hearts purer. In fact, looking around this room, I’d say some of you have very sick spirits indeed.

 She pointed directly at Mason. Especially you. That darkness I saw yesterday. It’s worse today. You’re planning something terrible. Mason’s face twisted with rage. That’s it. I’m calling the police. This crazy person is harassing the family. But Grandma Clara held up her hand. Wait. Everyone fell silent because when the family matriarch spoke, they listened.

 She looked at Harper with sharp eyes that missed nothing. Girl, you say you saved my grandson. Our doctors couldn’t help him, but you did. How? Harper turned to the old woman and spoke respectfully. Honored grandmother, the young master’s illness wasn’t natural. Someone poisoned him slowly over months. The poison blocked his life channels, made his energy weak and scattered.

 The doctors couldn’t see it because it’s not something their machines can find. I used an ancient breathing technique to push clean energy into his body and wake up his own healing power. The room went silent. Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. Poisoned by who? Harper looked uncomfortable. I can see the poison’s effects, but I can’t see who gave it to you.

 Someone close, someone you trust enough to eat and drink with regularly. Every eye in the room started looking at every other person suspiciously. Mason seized the moment. This is ridiculous. She’s making things up to make herself seem important. Next, she’ll probably claim she’s the only one who can protect you and demand money.

 Harper’s face flushed with anger. I don’t want money. I want She stopped, looking at Sebastian with something soft and yearning in her eyes. I want to stay with you to make sure you’re safe. To help you get completely better, that’s all. Sebastian studied her. this strange girl with her mountain clothes and her odd way of speaking and her eyes that looked at him like he was something precious.

 Part of him wanted to believe her, wanted to trust the sincerity he saw in her face. But he was Sebastian Sterling, head of a corporation worth billions, and he’d learned long ago that everyone wanted something. “If you’re really a healer,” he said slowly, “then stay. Help me get better. But try to con me.

 Try to steal from this family and you’ll regret it. Harper’s face lit up with joy. So pure and bright it was almost painful to look at. Really? You’ll let me stay? Oh, thank you. I promise I’ll take good care of you. You won’t regret this. She actually bounced a little with excitement, and several of the stern businessmen around the table looked startled by such open emotion.

 Mason’s face was dark with fury, but he couldn’t argue without looking suspicious. Instead, he forced a smile. Of course, if brother wants this girl to stay, she can stay. Though, perhaps she should clean up first. We do have standards. Harper looked down at her simple dress and shrugged. “These are my good clothes, but if you have something else I can wear, that’s fine, too.

” One of the cousins, a girl named Violet Prescott, who wore designer everything and looked at Harper like she was dirt, spoke up. We’ll find her something. Can’t have her wandering around looking like a homeless person. Her tone was sweet as poison, and Harper’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t respond.

The meeting broke up after that with Mason trying to collect his papers and Sebastian ordering them all to be reviewed by his personal lawyers before anything was signed. As people filed out, Grandma Claraara caught Harper’s arm. Come here, child. Harper followed the old woman to a quieter corner. Grandma Claraara looked at her with those sharp, ancient eyes.

You’re either the bravest girl I’ve ever met or the most foolish. This family is full of sharks. They’ll eat you alive if you’re not careful. Harper smiled softly. I’m tougher than I look, Grandmother. Mountains teach you how to survive. The old woman nodded slowly. Maybe, but let me give you some advice. My grandson is a good man, but he’s also suspicious and controlling.

 He won’t trust you easily, and if you really do care for him, you need to be patient. Harper’s expression grew serious. I’ll wait as long as it takes. I didn’t come all this way just to give up. Grandma Claraara patted her hand, something almost like approval in her eyes. We’ll see, child. We’ll see. Meanwhile, Sebastian was in his office making phone calls.

 His assistant, a efficient man named Elijah Vaughn, was taking notes rapidly as Sebastian rattled off instructions. I want a full background check on Harper Sinclair, everything. Where she came from, who her family is, what she’s been doing for the past few years. I want to know what she eats for breakfast. Elijah nodded. Of course, sir.

 Though if she really is from a mountain village, there might not be much official record. Sebastian’s eyes were cold. Then send someone to the mountains. I want to know if she’s telling the truth or if this is all an elaborate con. Because Sebastian had learned the hard way that in his world, trust was a luxury he couldn’t afford. People lied.

People schemed. People smiled to your face while planning to stab you in the back. This girl with her bright eyes and her claims of ancient medicine could be exactly what she seemed. Or she could be the most dangerous enemy he’d ever faced. He intended to find out which. In a guest room upstairs, Harper was being helped by Violet and another cousin named Paige Harrington.

 They’d brought her a pile of clothes. All expensive designer pieces that Harper looked at with confusion. “These are very fancy,” Harper said slowly. “Do you have anything simpler? These look uncomfortable.” Violet’s smile was sharp. “In this house, we dress properly. Unless you’d rather keep wearing your little country rags.

” Harper caught the insult, but chose to ignore it. She picked up a dress that looked softer than the others and held it against herself. It was way too long and too big. I think this is the wrong size. Paige giggled. Oh, oops. We must have grabbed the wrong ones. How silly. They hadn’t grabbed the wrong ones.

 They deliberately chosen clothes that wouldn’t fit, hoping to embarrass her. But Harper just shrugged. That’s okay. I can alter them. I’m good with a needle. She sat down right there on the floor, produced a small sewing kit from her bag, and started adjusting the dress with quick, efficient movements that showed years of practice making her own clothes.

Violet and Paige exchanged frustrated looks. This was supposed to humiliate her, but she was just calmly fixing the problem like it was nothing. Later that evening, Harper managed to find her way to Sebastian’s private rooms. The mansion was huge and confusing, and she’d gotten lost three times, but she was determined.

She knocked on his door, and when he opened it, he looked surprised and annoyed to see her. “What do you want?” Harper held up a small pot. “I made medicine for you. You need to drink it twice a day to clear the rest of the poison from your body.” Sebastian looked at the pot suspiciously. “How do I know it’s safe?” Harper’s face fell, hurt flashing across it.

 Because I would never hurt you. But if you don’t trust me. She dipped her finger in the liquid and licked it, proving it wasn’t poisoned. See? Safe. Sebastian felt something uncomfortable twist in his chest at the hurt in her eyes. He took the pot. Fine, I’ll try it. Harper’s smile came back like sunshine after rain. Good.

 And you need to rest more and eat better. I noticed you barely touched your dinner. You need strength to heal properly. She started lecturing him about diet and sleep and exercise, talking so fast and with such earnest concern that Sebastian found himself almost smiling despite himself. She was strange, definitely strange. But there was something refreshing about her blunt honesty after years of people telling him only what they thought he wanted to hear.

 “Are you done?” he asked when she finally paused for breath. Harper blinked. “Oh, sorry. I talk too much when I’m worried. My teacher always said it was my worst habit.” She started to leave, then turned back. Um, one more thing about what I said earlier about us being married. Sebastian’s expression went cold again.

 I never agreed to marry you. Harper twisted her hands together. I know, but there was an arrangement made a long time ago between your family and my teacher. That’s why I came down from the mountains to fulfill that promise. Sebastian crossed his arms. I don’t make promises. I don’t remember. If you want to stay here as a healer, fine.

 But don’t expect anything else. Harper’s face showed hurt again, but she nodded. I understand. But I won’t give up. You’ll see. I’ll prove I’m worthy of being your wife. She said it with such determined sincerity that Sebastian didn’t know whether to laugh or throw her out. Instead, he just closed the door, and Harper walked away down the hall, her heart heavy, but not defeated.

 She’d known this wouldn’t be easy. Rich people didn’t just accept mountain girls into their world, but she was patient, and she was stubborn. And most importantly, she could see things others couldn’t see. She could see that beneath Sebastian’s cold exterior was a good heart that had been hurt too many times. She could see that he was lonely, even surrounded by family.

 And she could see that the darkness around Mason Harrove was growing stronger, which meant danger was coming soon. That night, while the mansion slept, Harper sat by her window, looking at the stars and talking to them the way her teacher had taught her. “I made it here like you said I should,” she whispered to the night sky.

 But this is harder than I thought. He doesn’t trust me. Nobody here does. They think I’m strange and stupid and probably a con artist. A small bird landed on her window sill. A beautiful creature with feathers that shimmerred oddly in the moonlight. Harper smiled and held out her hand. “Hello, little friend.

 Did you follow me from the mountains?” The bird chirped and hopped onto her finger. It wasn’t really a bird. Not exactly. It was what her teacher called a spirit creature. Something between the normal world and the magical one. And this particular bird had been Harper’s companion since she was a child. She called it Spark because sometimes its feathers actually sparked with tiny bits of light.

 What do you think, Spark? Should I tell him the whole truth that I can see spirits and read fortunes and call down lightning when I’m really angry? Or will that just make him think I’m even crazier? Spark chirped again, a sound that somehow conveyed skepticism, and Harper laughed softly. You’re right. One weird thing at a time. First, I’ll help him get better.

 Then, I’ll deal with whatever Mason is planning. And maybe if I’m very lucky and very patient, Sebastian will start to trust me. She stroked the bird’s shimmering feathers gently. I really like him, Spark. I know that’s probably stupid since he can barely stand to look at me. But when I saw him lying there almost dead, my heart felt like it was breaking.

 Is that what love feels like? This terrible, wonderful, scary feeling. Spark nuzzled against her hand, which Harper took as encouragement. She sighed and looked out at the dark mansion grounds. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. The wealthy cousins would probably try to embarrass her again. Mason would continue plotting whatever darkness he was planning.

Sebastian would remain cold and suspicious, but Harper had survived 18 years in the mountains, learning ancient medicine and spirit arts from a teacher who’d found her as an orphan and raised her to be strong. She could survive this, too. She had to because something deep in her soul told her that Sebastian Sterling was her destiny, whether he believed it or not.

 and Harper Sinclair had never been one to give up on her destiny. The next few days fell into a strange pattern. Harper would appear at Sebastian’s door every morning with medicine and healthy food, lecturing him about taking care of himself until he’d practically push her out just to get some peace. She’d wander the mansion, getting lost and accidentally stumbling into places she wasn’t supposed to be, which made the servants think she was either incredibly nosy or incredibly stupid.

The truth was, Harper was actually quite smart. But the mansion was confusing, and she was curious about everything. She’d never seen automatic doors or fancy coffee machines or televisions that covered whole walls. Everything amazed her, and her wonder was so genuine that some of the kinder servants started to warm up to her despite themselves.

Sebastian, meanwhile, was getting daily reports from Elijah about the background check. Sir, it’s strange. There’s almost no record of her at all. We found a small village in the mountains where people remember a girl matching her description, but she left years ago with an old woman they called the medicine teacher. After that, nothing.

 It’s like she vanished. Sebastian frowned. People don’t just vanish. Keep looking. But privately, he was starting to believe Harper might actually be telling the truth, which made him more confused than ever. If she wasn’t a con artist, if she really was just a mountain healer with strange powers who genuinely wanted to help him, then what was he supposed to do with her? She didn’t fit into his world at all.

 She wore altered designer clothes like costumes and ate with her hands sometimes because she forgot to use silverware and asked the most bizarre questions about normal things. Yesterday she’d asked a maid why the water closet had a chair in it, having never seen a modern toilet before. The whole household was gossiping about her, some with cruel amusement and some with genuine fondness.

 But everyone agreed she was the strangest person who’d ever set foot in the Sterling mansion. And yet Sebastian found himself looking for her without meaning to. Found his eyes drawn to wherever she was. found himself almost smiling at her innocent questions and her earnest concerns about his health. It was irritating.

 She was irritating. So why did the mansion feel more alive with her in it? One afternoon, Sebastian had an important business meeting at the company headquarters. He was still weak, but he needed to be seen. Needed to prove he was alive and in control before Mason could spread more poison. Harper insisted on coming with him.

You’re not strong enough yet. What if you get tired? What if your energy collapses? I need to be there to help. Sebastian glared at her. I’m going to a board meeting, not climbing a mountain. I’ll be fine. Harper crossed her arm stubbornly. Fine. But when you pass out and hit your head, don’t blame me. She actually stomped her foot and Sebastian found himself fighting the urge to laugh at how ridiculous she looked.

 This tiny girl trying to boss around the head of a billiondoll corporation. I’m not taking you to the office. You’ll stay here. Harper’s eyes filled with tears so suddenly it startled him. You don’t trust me at all, do you? Even after I saved your life, even after I’ve been helping you get better, you still think I’m trying to trick you somehow.

The tears spilled over and she wiped at them angrily. Fine, go to your meeting. I hope you don’t collapse, but I’ll be waiting here when you get back because unlike some people, I don’t give up on the people I care about.” She turned and ran out of the room before Sebastian could respond, leaving him standing there feeling like somehow he’d just done something very wrong.

Elijah, who’d witnessed the whole exchange, cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may say so, that young lady seems genuinely concerned about your welfare.” Sebastian scowlled. “Your opinion isn’t required, Elijah.” But as he went to his meeting, he couldn’t get Harper’s hurt, tearfilled face out of his mind. The board meeting was tense.

 Mason had clearly been working the board members, planting doubts about Sebastian’s health and ability to lead. The executives kept giving Sebastian worried looks like they expected him to keel over any second. And honestly, Sebastian was feeling weaker than he wanted to admit. The medicine Harper had been giving him helped, but he was pushing himself too hard, too fast.

Halfway through a presentation about quarterly profits, the room started to spin slightly. Sebastian gripped the edge of the table, willing himself to stay focused, but black spots danced at the edges of his vision. Then somehow, Harper was there. He didn’t know how she’d gotten past security or found the right conference room in the massive headquarters building, but suddenly she was beside him, her small hand on his wrist, and he felt a strange warm energy flowing from her touch into his body.

The dizziness cleared, the black spots vanished, Sebastian’s head cleared like fog burning off in sunshine, and he could breathe deeply again. The whole board was staring at Harper in shock. She stood there in her altered designer dress that still didn’t quite fit right. Her hair messy from running, her face flushed with worry and determination.

“I told you that you weren’t ready yet,” she said quietly, her hand still on his wrist. “Your stubborn pride is going to get you hurt.” Mason stood up, his face twisted with anger. “How did this person get in here? This is a private meeting, security.” But Grandma Claraara, who’d insisted on attending the meeting despite her age, spoke up. “Let her stay.

 Clearly, she’s the only one actually keeping my grandson alive.” She gave Mason a sharp look, which is more than I can say for some family members. Mason’s face flushed, but he sat down, his eyes glittering with barely controlled rage. Harper stayed for the rest of the meeting, her hand maintaining light contact with Sebastian’s wrist.

 And though he wanted to be angry at her for disobeying him and embarrassing him in front of his board, he couldn’t deny that he felt better with her there, stronger, steadier. After the meeting, in the car ride home, Sebastian finally spoke. “How did you know I was in trouble?” Harper looked out the window at the city passing by.

So different from her mountains. I felt it. We’re connected now because I shared my life energy with you when I saved you. I can feel when you’re in distress. Sebastian absorbed this information, trying to decide if it was insane or if in a world where she’d somehow brought him back from death’s door, it might actually be true.

Thank you, he said finally, the words coming out stiff because he wasn’t used to thanking people for coming. Harper turned to him and her smile was so bright and happy. It was like the sun coming out. You’re welcome. See, I told you I’d take good care of you. You just need to trust me more. Sebastian found himself almost smiling back. Almost.

That evening, Harper was in the kitchen trying to make special soup for Sebastian when Violet and Paige found her. They’d brought another girl with them, Isa Kensington, who was even more beautiful and sophisticated than they were, wearing clothes that probably cost more than Harper had seen in her entire life.

“Still here, mountain girl?” Violet’s voice dripped with fake sweetness. We thought surely you’d have realized by now that you don’t belong in our world. Harper continued chopping vegetables, not looking at them. I belong wherever I choose to be, and I choose to be here. Isa laughed, a cold tinkling sound.

 How cute. She thinks she has choices. She moved closer, her expensive perfume making Harper’s nose wrinkle. Let me explain something to you since you’re clearly too simple to understand. Sebastian Sterling is one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. Powerful, wealthy, handsome. He could have anyone. Actresses, models, aeryses.

Why on earth would he want some uneducated mountain girl who doesn’t even know how to dress properly? Harper set down her knife and turned to face them, and something in her expression made all three girls take an involuntary step back. Her eyes had gone very dark and very deep, like looking into a well at midnight, and when she spoke, her voice carried that strange ringing quality again.

 You think beauty and money and fancy clothes make you worthy. I can see right through all of that to what’s underneath. And what I see in you three is ugliness, jealousy and spite and hearts that are cold as winter rivers. She pointed at Isa. You’ve been scheming to marry Sebastian for 3 years, haven’t you? Planning and plotting and using your family’s connection to his.

 But he doesn’t love you. He never will. Because he sees the same ugliness I do. Isa’s face went white, then red with fury. “How dare you? You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Harper continued as if she hadn’t spoken, pointing now at Violet. “And you’re jealous of your own cousin. You wish you’d been born into the main family line instead of a branch. It eats at you every day.

” Violet gasped, genuine shock on her face, because that was her deepest secret shame, something she’d never spoken aloud to anyone. Harper turned to Paige. And you? You’re not even really their friend. You just hang around them, hoping some of their wealth and status will rub off on you. You smile and agree with everything they say, but inside you hate them almost as much as you hate yourself.

Paige made a small wounded sound, her eyes filling with tears. Harper’s expression softened slightly. I’m not saying these things to be cruel. I’m saying them because you need to hear truth. You spend so much time worrying about being better than other people that you forget to be good people. And that’s why you’ll never be happy, no matter how much money or beauty or power you have.

The three girls stood frozen, staring at this strange mountain girl who’ just cut through all their careful pretenses and exposed their souls. It was who recovered first, her face twisting with rage. You’re going to regret this. I’ll make sure Sebastian sees what you really are. A fortune- hunting fraud who’s using tricks to manipulate him.

 Harper just shrugged and went back to her soup. Tell him whatever you want. Truth doesn’t fear investigation. The girls left, whispering furiously to each other. And Harper sighed. She probably shouldn’t have done that. Her teacher always said her tongue was too sharp and would get her in trouble. But she was tired of being looked down on, tired of being treated like she was stupid or worthless just because she came from the mountains.

 She had skills those girls could never dream of. She could heal the sick, read the future in stars and palms, communicate with spirits, and call down lightning when necessary. What could they do? Buy expensive shoes and gossip? Still, she’d probably made enemies, and she was already dealing with enough of those. Mason was still plotting something dark.

She could feel it every time she saw him. and now these girls would be working against her, too. Harper stirred her soup and tried not to feel discouraged. Being in love was a lot more complicated than the old stories had made it sound. Later, when she brought Sebastian his dinner and medicine, he was quiet, watching her with an expression she couldn’t read.

 I heard you had an interesting conversation with some of the young ladies this afternoon. Harper winced. They’d told on her already. They started it. Sebastian’s mouth twitched almost like he wanted to smile. That’s your defense. They started it. Harper set the tray down and sat on the edge of his desk, informal in a way that would have horrified his staff.

 They think I’m stupid and worthless because I didn’t grow up rich and go to fancy schools. But I learned things in the mountains they could never understand. I learned how to read people’s spirits, how to see truth beneath lies, how to survive on my own strength. That’s worth more than knowing which fork to use at dinner.

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, studying her. You’re an interesting contradiction, Harper Sinclair. Sometimes you seem naive as a child, and sometimes you seem old as the mountains you came from. Harper smiled sadly. My teacher used to say the same thing. She said I had an old soul in a young body.

 She looked at him directly, her dark eyes serious. I know you don’t trust me yet. I know you think I might be trying to trick you or use you. But I promise you, Sebastian Sterling, everything I’ve done has been to help you. I came down from my mountains because my teacher told me I had a destiny here with you. I don’t understand it all myself yet, but I know it’s true. I feel it in my bones.

Sebastian felt something shift in his chest, something uncomfortable and warm at the same time. If I decide to let you stay. You already decided that. Harper interrupted with a grin. You just haven’t admitted it yet. If I let you stay, Sebastian continued, ignoring her interruption. You’ll follow my rules.

 No more climbing through windows or running off or embarrassing me in front of my board. Harper nodded seriously. I promise to try, though I can’t promise to be perfect. I’m still learning how your world works. Sebastian sighed. That’s as good as I’m going to get, isn’t it? Harper’s grin got wider. Probably. Then she turned serious again.

But I can promise this. I’ll always tell you the truth, even when it’s hard. I’ll always protect you, even if it costs me. And I’ll never betray you, even if the whole world turns against me. Those promises I can keep. Sebastian looked into her eyes and saw absolute sincerity there.

 No calculation, no hidden agenda, just honest devotion from this strange mountain girl who’d crashed into his life like a force of nature. And for the first time, he let himself wonder if maybe, just maybe, she was exactly what she seemed. Trouble, definitely. Strange, absolutely, but also possibly the most genuine person he’d met in years.

 Eat your soup,” he said gruffly because he didn’t know what else to say to her honesty. “You made it for me, didn’t you? You should eat some, too.” Harper beamed at him like he’d given her a priceless gift instead of just suggesting she eat soup together, like a real couple. Oh, this is wonderful. She was so genuinely happy about something so small that Sebastian found himself actually smiling.

 a real smile that felt rusty from disuse. Maybe having her around wouldn’t be so bad after all. Downstairs, Mason was on the phone in his private study, his voice low and cold. I don’t care what it takes. That mountain girl needs to disappear. She’s interfering with everything. Find out her weakness and use it.

 On the other end, someone confirmed they understood, and Mason hung up with a satisfied smile. He’d been patient long enough. Sebastian should have died from the poison, leaving Mason free to take over the company. But that girl had saved him somehow, ruined everything. Well, if direct methods didn’t work, there were always indirect ones.

 Everyone had a weakness, even magical mountain girls. He just had to find it. The days continued and Harper slowly became a fixture in the Sterling household. Some people whispered about her behind their hands, some treated her kindly, and some watched her with calculating eyes, wondering how to use her or remove her. Harper navigated it all with a combination of genuine innocence and surprising wisdom, somehow managing to win over Grandma Claraara completely.

The old woman had taken to calling Harper my lucky star and insisting she sit next to her at family dinners, much to Mason’s poorly concealed fury. Sebastian found himself seeking out Harper’s company more than he wanted to admit. She made him laugh with her strange observations about modern life. She challenged him with her blunt questions about why he worked so hard or whether money really made him happy.

 She comforted him with her quiet presence when the weight of running an empire felt too heavy. And slowly, so slowly he barely noticed it happening, his suspicion began to transform into something else, something that felt dangerously like affection. One evening, about 2 weeks after Harper had first burst into his life, Sebastian took her to dinner at an exclusive restaurant.

 It was partly to show her more of his world and partly because she’d been begging to try that food with the cheese that stretches after seeing a pizza commercial on television. The restaurant manager nearly had a heart attack when he saw Harper’s outfit. She’d combined a formal dress with her comfortable mountain boots and had flowers woven into her hair.

 But one cold look from Sebastian silenced any comments. They sat at a private table and Harper stared at the menu with confused wonder. “Why does everything have French names? Are we in France?” Sebastian found himself explaining patiently and even ordering for her when she got overwhelmed by the choices. When the food came, Harper’s face lit up with such pure joy that other diners found themselves smiling just watching her. “This is amazing, Sebastian.

 Try this.” and this. Oh, everything tastes so good when you don’t have to cook it yourself. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Sebastian realized he was having more fun at this dinner than he’d had at any social event in years. No fake politeness, no business deals disguised as casual conversation, just Harper being completely and genuinely herself.

“You’re staring,” Harper said suddenly, catching him watching her. Sebastian didn’t look away. You have source on your cheek. Harper wiped at her face, missing the spot completely. Without thinking, Sebastian reached across and wiped it away with his thumb. And the moment felt strangely intimate, both of them going still, eyes locked.

“Thank you,” Harper whispered, her cheeks flushing pink. Sebastian pulled his hand back quickly, clearing his throat. You’re very messy when you eat. Harper laughed, breaking the tension. My teacher always said I ate like a little bear, but food tastes better when you enjoy it properly, don’t you think? As they left the restaurant, paparazzi were waiting outside.

 Cameras flashed, voices shouted questions. Mr. Sterling, who’s your companion? Is this your girlfriend? What happened to your engagement to Isa Kensington? Harper froze like a deer in headlights. Overwhelmed by the noise and lights, Sebastian saw her panic and did something he didn’t plan. He put his arm around her shoulders pulling her close against his side and spoke clearly for the cameras.

This is Harper Sinclair, and yes, she’s important to me. Now, if you’ll excuse us. He guided her to the car while cameras kept flashing and reporters kept shouting, but his arm stayed around her the whole time, protective and possessive, and Harper leaned into him like she belonged there. In the car, she was quiet for a long moment before speaking.

You didn’t have to do that. Now everyone will talk about us. Sebastian kept his eyes on the road. Let them talk. I’m tired of hiding things to make other people comfortable. Harper smiled softly, her heart feeling so full it almost hurt. “You keep surprising me,” Sebastian Sterling. “Just when I think you don’t care at all, you do something kind.

” Sebastian glanced at her, and his voice was quieter when he spoke. “You saved my life. The least I can do is protect your reputation.” But they both knew it was more than that. Something was growing between them, slow and steady, like a flower pushing up through rock. And neither of them knew quite what to do about it yet.

The next morning, the photos were everywhere. Social media exploded with pictures of Sebastian Sterling with his arm around a mysterious girl who looked nothing like the usual sophisticated women he was seen with. The gossip sites went crazy with speculation. Eisler Kensington’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing with reporters asking for comments, and she threw it across the room in fury.

Mason saw the photos, and his jaw clenched so hard his teeth hurt. This was getting out of control. The mountain girl had somehow wormed her way, not just into Sebastian’s house, but into his heart, and that made her more dangerous than Mason had realized. He made another phone call, his instructions more urgent this time.

Meanwhile, Harper was dealing with the aftermath in her own way. She’d been called to Grandma Claraara’s rooms, and she went nervously, unsure if she was about to be scolded, but the old woman just smiled and patted the seat beside her. Sit, child. Let’s talk. Harper sat and Grandma Claraara took her hand.

 I saw the photos. The whole world saw the photos. My grandson has made his feelings quite clear. Harper shook her head quickly. He was just being protective. It doesn’t mean it means everything. Grandma Clara interrupted gently. I’ve known Sebastian since he was born. I’ve watched him grow up cold and careful, never letting anyone close, never showing vulnerability.

 But with you, he’s different, softer, more human. She squeezed Harper’s hand. I don’t know what your story is, child, or why you came here, but I know this. You’re good for him. You make him remember there’s more to life than business and power. And for that, you have my blessing. Harper’s eyes filled with tears.

 Thank you, grandmother. That means more than you know. The old woman smiled. Now, about this wedding. Harper’s eyes went wide. Wedding? Grandma Clara’s smile turned mischievous. Did you think I’d let you stay in my grandson’s house indefinitely without making it proper? We’ll need to start planning something big enough to show the whole business world that you’re part of this family now.

Harper didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Everything was moving so fast, faster than she’d dreamed. And she hadn’t even told Sebastian the whole truth about herself yet, about her powers, about the prophecy her teacher had told her, about the real reason she’d come down from the mountains. But maybe that was okay.

 Maybe some truths could wait until the time was right. For now, it was enough that Sebastian was starting to trust her, that Grandma Clara accepted her, that she had a place here, even if it was strange and new and sometimes scary. That evening, Harper found Sebastian in his study, and she had something she needed to say. “Sbastian.

” He looked up from his paperwork, and his expression softened slightly when he saw her. “What is it?” Harper took a deep breath. I saw the news today, the photos. People are saying I’m your girlfriend, maybe even your fianceé, and I know you said that stuff to protect me, but she paused, gathering courage, but I want you to know.

 I wouldn’t mind if it was true. If you wanted it to be true, I mean, I know I’m not sophisticated or educated like the women you usually know. I know I’m strange and I mess up a lot and I don’t understand your world very well yet, but I care about you, Sebastian, more than I probably should. And if you ever decided you wanted more than just me being your healer or your friend, I would say yes so fast it would make your head spin.

She said it all in a rush, her cheeks bright red, unable to meet his eyes. When she finally looked up, Sebastian was staring at her with an expression she couldn’t read. The silence stretched out until Harper started to panic. I’m sorry. That was too much, too fast. I shouldn’t have. Sebastian stood and walked around his desk until he was standing right in front of her.

 He reached out and tilted her chin up with his fingers, forcing her to look at him. “Harper Sinclair,” he said quietly. You are without a doubt the strangest, most frustrating, most baffling person I’ve ever met. Harper’s heart sank. But then Sebastian continued. You’re also brave and honest and kind in a way I didn’t think people could be anymore. You make me laugh.

 You make me think. You make me want to be a better man than I am. He paused, his thumb brushing across her cheek in a gesture so gentle it made her breath catch. I don’t know what we are yet. I don’t know what we’re becoming, but I know I don’t want you to leave. And maybe that’s enough for now. Harper’s smile was like sunshine breaking through clouds. That’s more than enough.

 That’s everything. They stood there for a long moment, close enough that Harper could feel the warmth of his body, could see the flexcks of gold in his dark eyes, could count his heartbeats in the pulse at his throat. Then Sebastian stepped back, breaking the spell, and cleared his throat. You should get some rest.

 Tomorrow we have a lot to deal with. Harper nodded and turned to leave, but at the door, she looked back. Sebastian, thank you for giving me a chance. After she left, Sebastian sat back at his desk, but he couldn’t focus on his work. His mind kept replaying Harper’s confession. her honest, vulnerable admission that she cared for him.

 No games, no manipulation, just simple truth. It was terrifying and refreshing and made him feel things he’d thought himself incapable of feeling anymore. Maybe, he thought, just maybe, this strange mountain girl with her bizarre powers and her innocent smile was exactly what he’d been missing his whole life without knowing it.

 But what he didn’t know, what neither of them knew, was that danger was creeping closer. Mason’s plans were falling into place, and soon Harper’s greatest weakness would be discovered, setting in motion a chain of events that would test everything they’d built together. Because in the shadows, enemies were watching, waiting, and preparing to strike when they were least ready.

 The story was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning. The next few days passed in a strange bubble of almost happiness. Sebastian took Harper to more places around the city, partly to help her learn about modern life, and partly because he found he enjoyed seeing everything through her fresh, wondering eyes.

They went to a technology museum where Harper spent an hour talking to the robot displays like they were real people and asking them questions about their families. They went to a botanical garden where Harper could identify every plant by its medicinal properties and told the shocked botonists that three of their decorative plants were actually quite poisonous if prepared wrong.

They went to an art gallery where Harper tilted her head at abstract paintings and announced that one particular piece had very angry energy and should probably be cleansed with sage, which made the gallery owner laugh until Harper pointed out the artist’s signature and mentioned he’d been known for his violent temper and the laughter died into uncomfortable silence.

Sebastian found himself looking forward to these outings more than any business meeting. Found himself watching Harper more than whatever they’d come to see. Found himself falling in a way that should have terrified him. But somehow just felt inevitable, like water running downhill, like seasons changing, like something that had always been meant to happen finally happening.

 But underneath the happiness, trouble was brewing. Isa Kensington had not accepted defeat gracefully. She’d spent years positioning herself as the perfect match for Sebastian. Years building connections with his family and his business associates. Years dreaming of becoming Mrs. Sterling. And now some nobody from nowhere was ruining everything.

She met with Violet and Paige in an expensive cafe, her face tight with fury. We need to get rid of her permanently. Violet stirred her coffee nervously. What do you mean permanently? We can’t actually hurt her. That would be crazy. Isa’s smile was cold. I don’t mean physically hurt her. I mean destroy her credibility, her reputation, everything.

Make Sebastian see that she’s not who she pretends to be. Paige leaned forward. How? She doesn’t seem to care what people think of her. We’ve tried embarrassing her and it just rolls off. Isa tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the table. Then we need to find her weakness. Everyone has one.

 We just need to discover hers. As if on Q, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from a private investigator she’d hired, someone who specialized in digging up dirt that others missed. The message was short but interesting. Subject has unusual physical vulnerability. Recommend immediate follow-up. Isa’s smile grew wider.

Ladies, I think our prayers have just been answered. Meanwhile, Harper was having her own problems. She’d been feeling strange all morning. a nagging weakness in her limbs, a hollowess in her stomach that made everything seem far away and fuzzy. She’d been so busy with Sebastian, so caught up in learning about his world, and spending time with him that she’d forgotten something crucial.

 She’d forgotten to eat properly. For most people, missing a few meals just meant being hungry and maybe cranky. For Harper, it was much more serious. Her powers, her strength, even her ability to think clearly, all depended on her keeping her energy up. And food was how she maintained that energy. Her teacher had warned her again and again that this was her greatest weakness, that she needed to eat regularly and well, or she’d become as helpless as a newborn kitten.

 But Harper had been so excited and distracted that she’d skipped breakfast, picked at lunch, and now it was late afternoon, and she was in trouble. She was in the mansion library trying to read a book about modern business practices when the room started to spin. Harper gripped the arms of her chair, breathing carefully, trying to push energy through her body the way her teacher had taught her, but without food to fuel the process.

 It was like trying to start a fire with wet wood. Nothing was working. Harper. Sebastian’s voice came from the doorway, and she tried to smile at him, but her face felt stiff and strange. Sebastian crossed the room quickly, his expression shifting to concern. What’s wrong? You’re pale. Harper tried to stand up to prove she was fine, but her legs wouldn’t hold her.

 She stumbled and Sebastian caught her. his strong arms wrapping around her small frame. I’m okay, Harper mumbled. But even she could hear how weak her voice sounded. “Just need, need to eat something.” Sebastian’s face went tight with worry. He scooped her up easily. She weighed almost nothing and carried her toward the dining room, shouting for the kitchen staff as he went, “Bring food now, whatever’s ready.

” The cook came running with a bowl of soup, and Sebastian sat Harper in a chair, holding the spoon to her lips himself when her hands shook too much to manage it. “Eat,” he commanded, his voice rough with worry and something else, something that sounded almost like fear. Harper managed a few sips, and almost immediately she felt a tiny bit of strength returning.

 She ate more faster, and color started coming back to her cheeks. Sebastian watched her with hawk-like intensity, and once she’d finished the whole bowl and was looking more like herself, he spoke in a voice that was calm, but with steel underneath. Explain now. Harper looked down at her hands. It’s my weakness. The thing I didn’t tell you about.

 When I don’t eat enough, I lose all my strength, all my powers. I become completely helpless. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. I’m sorry. I should have told you before. I just didn’t want you to think I was even more strange than you already do. Sebastian’s jaw was tight. How often does this happen? Harper shrugged miserably.

 If I go more than a few hours without eating, I start to get weak. If I go a whole day, I can barely move. My teacher always made sure I had food with me, always reminded me to eat. But I’ve been so distracted here, so happy that I forgot. Sebastian stood abruptly, and pulled out his phone, typing rapidly. From now on, you’ll have meals brought to you every 3 hours.

 I’m putting it in my calendar, in Elijah’s calendar, in the household schedule. This will not happen again. Harper blinked at him in surprise. You’re not angry. Sebastian looked at her like she’d said something incomprehensible. Why would I be angry? You have a medical condition. We manage it, that’s all. He sat back down and took her hands in his, his touch gentle despite the intensity in his eyes. Harper, you saved my life.

The least I can do is make sure you’re fed. But you have to promise me you’ll tell me these things. I can’t protect you if I don’t know what threatens you. Harper felt tears spilling down her cheeks, but they were happy tears this time. You want to protect me? Sebastian wiped her tears away with his thumbs, his touch so tender it made her heart ache. Of course I do.

 You’ve become important to me, more important than I want to admit. So yes, I’ll protect you from everything, including your own forgetfulness. Harper laughed through her tears and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. Sebastian stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed and hugged her back, his arms strong and warm around her.

They stayed like that for a long moment, neither wanting to let go. Both feeling something shift and settle between them. Something that felt a lot like trust and maybe even something deeper. But in another part of the mansion, Mason’s assistant was having a very interesting phone conversation. Yes, I’m certain the girl’s weakness is hunger.

 If you can keep her from eating for long enough, she’ll be completely powerless. easier than taking candy from a baby. The person on the other end asked a question and the assistant smiled coldly. Leave that to me. I have a plan. The next week was busy with preparations. Grandma Clara had decided that if Sebastian and Harper were going to be together, they needed to be officially engaged.

 And she wasn’t taking no for an answer. She’d already started planning an engagement party, inviting every important family in the city, determined to show the world that Harper Sinclair was under the Sterling family’s protection. Harper was overwhelmed by all the planning, the dress fittings and menu selections and guest lists.

 She’d never imagined anything like this when she’d left her quiet mountain home. Sebastian noticed her stress and took her out to get her mind off things. They went to a street fair, something casual and normal, where they could just be two people instead of a business heir and his mysterious mountain girl. Harper’s face lit up when she saw the game booths, the colorful prizes hanging from the ceilings.

“Oh, this looks fun. Can we try?” Sebastian found himself agreeing, even though carnival games were completely beneath his usual dignity. He watched Harper throw rings at bottles, her tongue sticking out slightly in concentration, missing every single time, but laughing. Anyway, ere, Sebastian said, taking the rings from her. Let me show you how it’s done.

He threw with practiced ease, landing three rings in a row, and the booth operator grudgingly handed over a large stuffed bear. Sebastian presented it to Harper with a small smile. for you. Harper hugged the bear like it was made of gold. I’ll treasure it forever. I’ll name him Sebastian Jr.

 Sebastian’s ears turned slightly red. Please don’t name it after me. Harper just laughed and dragged him to the next game, her hands slipping into his so naturally that neither of them noticed until they’d been walking like that for several minutes. When Sebastian realized he was holding hands with Harper in public, he should have let go.

 It wasn’t professional. It would fuel more gossip. But her hand was small and warm in his, and she was smiling up at him like he’d given her the whole world instead of just a cheap stuffed bear. And he found he didn’t want to let go. So he didn’t. They ate corn dogs and cotton candy. And Sebastian had to admit that watching Harper experience these simple things was more enjoyable than any five-star restaurant.

 She got cotton candy in her hair and on her nose, and he wiped it off without thinking, and she blushed so prettily that he wanted to make her blush again just to see it. They rode the ferris wheel, and at the top, Harper gasped at the view of the city spreading out below them. “It’s beautiful. I never imagined cities could look like this.

All the lights like stars brought down to earth. Sebastian wasn’t looking at the city. He was looking at her at the wonder in her face. At the way the sunset painted her skin gold, at the joy that radiated from her like heat from a fire. Yes, he said quietly. Beautiful. Harper turned to him and caught him staring.

 And for a moment they just looked at each other. The wheel stopped at the very top. The whole world spread out below them, but neither of them caring about anything except each other. Sebastian reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. Harper, I need to tell you something. Harper’s breath caught.

 What? Sebastian opened his mouth, then closed it, struggling with words that didn’t come easily to him. I’m not good at this, at feelings, at letting people in, but you’ve crashed through every wall I’ve built, and I don’t know what to do about it, except He paused, then continued more quietly. Except stop fighting it.

 Stop pretending I don’t care because I do care more than I should, more than is probably wise. Harper’s eyes were shining. “Sbastian, I’m not promising forever,” Sebastian said quickly. “I’m not good at grand gestures or romantic speeches, but I’m promising to try to let you in, to see where this goes, if you’re willing to be patient with me.

” Harper’s smile was so bright it could have lit the whole fairground. I’m very good at being patient. Mountain people are the most patient people in the world. I’ll wait as long as you need. The ferris wheel started moving again, bringing them back down to earth. But something had changed between them. Something important and real and just a little bit scary in the best way.

That night, Sebastian did something he’d never done before. He asked Harper to stay with him, not in any improper way, but just to sit in his study while he worked, to keep him company. Harper curled up in a big armchair with her stuffed bear and a book, occasionally looking up to watch Sebastian work, and Sebastian found that having her there made the boring paperwork somehow more bearable.

Around midnight, he looked up to find Harper asleep in the chair, her book fallen to the floor, her face peaceful and young in sleep. Sebastian stood and carefully lifted her, carrying her to one of the guest rooms as he laid her on the bed and pulled a blanket over her. Harper stirred slightly. Sebastian.

 Her voice was muzzy with sleep. I’m here. Go back to sleep. Harper’s hand caught his. Stay just until I fall asleep. Sebastian should have said no. Should have left. should have maintained proper distance. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand, and stayed until her breathing evened out into true sleep. And even then, he stayed a bit longer, just watching her, wondering how this strange mountain girl had become so important to him so quickly.

Finally, he left, but at the door, he looked back one more time. Sweet dreams, Harper Sinclair,” he whispered so quietly she couldn’t possibly hear. But Harper, who was only pretending to be deeply asleep, smiled into her pillow and whispered back, “Sweet dreams, Sebastian Sterling.” The next day was the day of a big charity auction, one of the most important social events of the season.

Sebastian had to attend and Harper insisted on coming with him despite having no idea what an auction even was. They spent an hour with Elijah teaching Harper how auctions worked and how to behave at formal events. And Harper tried very hard to remember everything, but kept getting distracted by questions about why rich people paid so much money for things they didn’t need.

 The auction was held at a grand hotel with hundreds of wealthy attendees in expensive clothes and dripping with jewelry. Harper wore a dress that Grandma Clara had commissioned specially for her, something that actually fit and made her look less like a girl playing dress up and more like a young woman who belonged in this glittering world.

When they arrived, cameras flashed and people whispered, all eyes on Sebastian and his mysterious companion. Isa Kensington was there with her parents, and her eyes narrowed when she saw Harper on Sebastian’s arm. She’d spent the last few days gathering information about Harper’s weakness, and tonight she planned to use it.

The auction began with various items, paintings, and jewelry, and exotic trips. Harper watched with wide eyes as people casually bid thousands of dollars for things, sometimes just to show they could. Then something changed. A new item was brought out. A beautiful shimmering feather under glass, and the auctioneer announced it was supposedly from a phoenix, though, of course that was just legend.

Harper sat up straighter, her eyes locked on the feather with an intensity that Sebastian noticed immediately. “What is it?” he whispered. “That’s not a legend,” Harper whispered back. “That’s real, and I know who it belongs to.” Before Sebastian could ask what she meant, Harper’s hand shot up, bidding an amount that made several people gasp.

Someone else bid higher. Harper bid again, her face determined. Sebastian leaned close. Harper, do you know how much money you’re bidding? Harper nodded, not taking her eyes off the feather. I don’t care. That belongs to my friend. I have to get it back. The bidding war continued, Harper against a determined woman across the room.

 The price climbed higher and higher until finally the other woman dropped out with a frustrated huff. Harper won the feather for an astronomical sum, and Sebastian watched in fascination as the glass case was brought to their table. The moment it was set down, the strangest thing happened. The feather, which had been still under the glass, suddenly quivered and began to glow with a soft golden light.

 Harper carefully opened the case and picked up the feather, and it burst into actual flames. But flames that didn’t burn just danced across her fingers like they were happy to see her. The entire room went silent, staring at this impossible sight. Then a voice called out high and indignant, “Mama, mama, you found me.” A small bird, no bigger than a sparrow, but covered in the same shimmering feathers, materialized on Harper’s shoulder, out of thin air, or possibly out of the feather itself.

It nuzzled against her cheek, making chirping sounds that somehow sounded like words. “I got lost, mama. The bad man caught me and took my feather, and I couldn’t find my way home.” Harper stroked the bird gently, tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, little Spark. I should have kept better watch over you.” She looked around at all the shocked faces staring at her and realized she’d just revealed something major about herself in front of hundreds of people.

Sebastian was staring too, but not with fear or disgust, with wonder. That’s a real Phoenix. Harper shook her head. Not exactly. Spark is a spirit creature. They live between the normal world and the spirit world. Most people can’t see them unless they choose to be seen. Spark chirped again, this time sounding smug. I can see this human though.

 The one mama likes. He has good energy. The bird hopped from Harper’s shoulder to Sebastian’s, examining him with bright, intelligent eyes. “You’re taking good care of my mama. She needs lots of food or she gets weak.” Sebastian found himself talking to a magical bird like it was the most normal thing in the world.

 I’m making sure she eats regularly. Spark chirped approvingly. Good. Then you can be my papa. Sebastian’s face went red and Harper quickly scooped Spark back onto her own shoulder. Don’t embarrass him. But the damage was done. The whole room had witnessed something impossible. something that proved beyond doubt that Harper Sinclair was no ordinary girl.

She had real power, real magic, things that shouldn’t exist in the modern world, but clearly did. The whispers started immediately, spreading through the crowd like wildfire. Some people looked frightened, some looked fascinated, some looked calculating. Sebastian stood and offered Harper his arm. I think we’ve made enough of an impression for one night, shall we? Harper took his arm gratefully, and they walked out with Spark perched on Harper’s shoulder, leaving behind a room full of shocked wealthy people who would

be talking about this night for years. In the car, Harper waited nervously for Sebastian to say something, to demand explanations, or to tell her she was too strange, too different, too much. Instead, he reached over and took her hand. A spirit creature? Of course you have a spirit creature. Why wouldn’t you? Harper laughed, relief flooding through her.

 You’re not angry, not scared. Sebastian looked at her seriously. Harper, you brought me back from death with a kiss that wasn’t a kiss. You can apparently predict disasters and call down lightning. and you’ve been telling me all along that you have special abilities. A magical bird is actually one of the less surprising things about you.

” He paused, “Though I do wish you’d warned me before spending half a million dollars of my money on a feather.” Harper’s eyes went wide. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think I just knew I had to save Spark. I’ll pay you back somehow. I promise. Sebastian waved it off. Consider it an engagement present, though. Next time, maybe discuss large purchases with me first.

 Harper nodded eagerly, then paused. Wait, did you say engagement present? Does that mean? Sebastian looked out the window, his ears slightly red. Mother has been planning an engagement party. I assumed you knew. Harper’s heart soared. But I wanted to make sure you were okay with it with us officially. Sebastian turned back to her, and his expression was soft in a way she’d never seen before.

 “I’m more than okay with it, which terrifies me, but that’s not your problem to fix.” Harper squeezed his hand. “It’s okay to be scared. I’m scared, too. This is all so new and strange and wonderful and terrifying, but we’ll figure it out together, right?” Sebastian nodded slowly. “Together? Yes, I think I can do that. They drove home in comfortable silence, hands linked, spark dozing on Harper’s shoulder, and both of them feeling like maybe, just maybe, everything was going to work out.

But they didn’t know that at that very moment, I Kensington was making a phone call that would shatter their fragile piece. I saw it myself. The girl becomes weak when she doesn’t eat. We need to act fast before the engagement becomes official. Once that happens, she’ll be untouchable. The person on the other end agreed, and Isa smiled coldly.

Perfect. Let’s see how special she is when she can barely stand. The engagement party was planned for the following week, and the entire Sterling mansion was in chaos preparing for it. Hundreds of guests, the most important families in the city, all coming to officially witness Sebastian Sterling, claim the strange mountain girl as his future wife.

 Harper was overwhelmed but happy, trying on dresses and learning proper etiquette and practicing her speech for when she’d have to greet all these important people. She was so busy and distracted that she didn’t notice the small changes happening around her. Her meals started arriving late, just by a few minutes at first, then by longer and longer delays.

 The kitchen staff apologized, said they were swamped with party preparations. But something about it felt wrong to Harper, even though she couldn’t put her finger on why. She started feeling weaker more often, needing to sit down suddenly or getting dizzy for no reason. She assumed it was just stress from the upcoming party, and she didn’t want to worry Sebastian by mentioning it.

 Sebastian, meanwhile, was dealing with Mason’s increasingly desperate attempts to sabotage the engagement. Mason had realized that once Sebastian married Harper, and especially if they had children, his chances of ever controlling the Sterling fortune dropped to almost zero. He tried legal challenges, tried spreading rumors, tried everything he could think of, but Sebastian had anticipated every move and blocked them all.

 Finally, Mason decided he needed help from outside the family. He contacted some business rivals of Sebastians, people who would benefit from seeing the young Sterling heir distracted or weakened. They agreed to help, and together they formed a plan. On the day before the engagement party, Harper woke feeling strange. The weakness in her limbs was worse than usual, and her head felt fuzzy and disconnected.

 She tried to get up to find food, but her legs wouldn’t hold her. She managed to pull herself to the door and call for help, her voice coming out weak and thready. A maid found her and helped her back to bed, then rushed to tell Sebastian. Sebastian arrived within minutes, his face tight with worry. What happened? Are you sick? Harper tried to smile, but it came out wrong. Just hungry.

 So hungry, but I can’t seem to stand up. Sebastian immediately called for food, but when it arrived and Harper tried to eat, her hands shook so badly she dropped the spoon. Sebastian fed her himself, but she could only manage a few bites before exhaustion overwhelmed her. “Something was very wrong.

 Harper should have been recovering with food, but she was getting weaker.” “We’re calling a doctor,” Sebastian decided, pulling out his phone. “Wait,” Harper managed to say. “Not a regular doctor. They won’t understand. Need someone who knows about energy and spirit healing. need. Her voice trailed off as her eyes closed, unconsciousness pulling her under.

Sebastian felt panic, real cold panic, for the first time since he was a child. He called Grandma Clara, called Elijah, and tried to think who might know about the kind of medicine Harper practiced. Then he remembered something Harper had mentioned once about a famous doctor who practiced both modern and traditional medicine. Someone named Dr. Luo.

Sebastian had his people track down Dr. Luo’s contact information and called personally. This is Sebastian Sterling. I need you to come immediately. It’s about Harper Sinclair. There was a pause on the other end. Then an elderly voice spoke with sharp interest. Harper Sinclair, the medicine teacher student.

 I’ll be there within the hour. Dr. Luo arrived with a younger assistant, a man who introduced himself as Bennett. They examined Harper while Sebastian hovered nearby, unable to stay away, even though he knew he was in the way. Dr. Lu’s face grew darker as he worked, checking Harper’s pulse, looking at her eyes and tongue, placing his hands on various points of her body in ways that looked strange to Sebastian, but apparently meant something to the doctor.

Finally, Dr. Luo stood and faced Sebastian with a grave expression. Someone has been poisoning her, not with traditional poison, but with small amounts of a substance that blocks energy flow. Combined with her natural weakness when she doesn’t eat properly, it’s created a dangerous situation. Sebastian’s face went cold with fury.

Who? Dr. Luo shook his head. That I cannot say, but it’s someone with access to her food. someone who knew about her weakness and has been exploiting it. The poisoning has been happening for at least a week, gradually building up in her system. Sebastian’s hands clenched into fists.

 Someone in his own household had been poisoning Harper, someone he trusted enough to let near her, near her food. Bennett spoke up. “With respect, Mr. Sterling, we should focus on treatment first and investigation second. The young lady needs immediate help or she could slip into a coma. Dr. Luo nodded. I can help her, but it will take time and complete rest.

 She cannot be moved. The engagement party tomorrow will need to be postponed. Sebastian didn’t hesitate. Cancel it. I don’t care about a party. Just help her. Dr. Luo smiled slightly. She chose, “Well, your concern for her is genuine.” He turned to begin treatment, but before he could, someone knocked urgently on the door. It was Elijah, his face grim.

Sir, we have a problem. Mason has called a press conference for tomorrow at the exact time your engagement party was scheduled. He’s claiming you’re unfit to lead the company due to mental instability and that the engagement to Miss Sinclair proves it. He’s gathered several board members who support him. Sebastian’s jaw tightened.

 Mason had chosen his moment perfectly. With Harper unconscious and the engagement party canled, it would look like Sebastian was falling apart, like maybe Mason had a point. But Sebastian looked at Harper’s pale face at the way her breathing was shallow and labored, and his choice was instant and absolute. Let him have his press conference.

 Let him say whatever he wants. I’m staying here. Elijah looked surprised. Sir, if you don’t respond, if you don’t show up to defend yourself, he could actually succeed in taking control. Sebastian’s voice was still. Then he succeeds. I won’t leave her, Elijah. Not for a company, not for money, not for anything. Dr. Luo, who’d been listening, spoke up.

Actually, there might be another way. The treatment I need to do requires the transfer of clean energy into her system. Normally, I would do this myself, but it would be more effective if someone she’s bonded with did it, someone she trusts completely. He looked at Sebastian meaningfully. You, Sebastian straightened.

Tell me what to do. Dr. Luo spent the next hour teaching Sebastian a breathing technique, showing him how to gather energy and channel it through his hands. It felt crazy, like something from a fantasy story. But Sebastian had seen too much of Harper’s abilities to doubt that this kind of thing was possible.

Finally, Dr. Luo positioned Sebastian next to Harper’s bed. Place your hands here and here. He indicated points on Harper’s wrist and forehead. Breathe in this rhythm. Feel the warmth in your chest. Then imagine it flowing down your arms and into her. Don’t think too much. Just feel. Sebastian did as instructed, feeling ridiculous at first, but then something shifted.

 He felt warmth blooming in his chest. Felt it moving like water through his arms. Felt it flowing out of his palms into Harper’s skin. Harper’s face, which had been pale and drawn, slowly started to gain color. Her breathing deepened, became steadier. After what felt like hours, but was probably only 30 minutes, Dr.

 Luo told Sebastian to stop. Excellent. You have natural talent for this. With her energy channels cleared and fresh energy flowing, she should wake soon, but she’ll need careful monitoring for several days. Sebastian nodded, not taking his eyes off Harper. Whatever she needs. Dr. Luo smiled. I believe that.

 Now, about your business problem, I may be able to help with that as well. He pulled out his phone and made a call, speaking quickly in a language Sebastian didn’t recognize. then hung up. Done. My colleagues will attend this press conference tomorrow and make clear that any attempt to remove you would be met with significant opposition.

 We have more influence than your cousin realizes. Sebastian looked at the elderly doctor with new respect. Why would you do that for me? Dr. Lu’s expression turned serious. Not for you. For her. Harper Sinclair is the student of one of the greatest healers who ever lived. She is like a granddaughter to me, though we’ve never met.

 If you care for her, then I care about keeping you in a position where you can protect her.” He paused. “Also, from what I’ve seen in the last hour, you love her. Perhaps you haven’t admitted it yet, even to yourself, but it’s clear in every gesture, every look that’s worth protecting.” Sebastian opened his mouth to deny it, then closed it.

 Because maybe the old doctor was right. Maybe what he felt for Harper had already grown past caring, past attachment, into something deeper and more permanent. Maybe he’d been falling in love with her since the moment she burst into his room with tears on her face and determination in her eyes. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I do love her.

” It was the first time he’d said it out loud, and the words felt both terrifying and right. Dr. Luo nodded with satisfaction. Good. Then you’ll understand why her safety must come before everything else. Find who poisoned her. Remove them from your household. And in the future, be more careful about who you trust.

After Dr. Luo and Bennett left. Sebastian stayed by Harper’s bed, holding her hand, waiting for her to wake. He had people investigating the poisoning, had security reviewing all the footage from the kitchen, had staff being questioned one by one. Whoever had done this would pay. Around midnight, Harper’s eyes fluttered open.

 She looked confused for a moment, then focused on Sebastian’s face and smiled weakly. You stayed. Sebastian’s hand tightened on hers. Of course I stayed. Did you think I’d leave you? Harper’s smile grew a bit stronger. The party, the press conference. You should be dealing with that, not sitting here watching me sleep.

 Sebastian leaned closer, his voice intense. There’s nothing more important than you being okay. Not a party, not a company, not anything. Do you understand? Tears filled Harper’s eyes. But your family business, everything you’ve worked for. Sebastian cut her off by doing something he’d never done before. He leaned down and pressed his lips gently to her forehead, a kiss that was tender and protective and full of unspoken feelings.

You are more important than all of it. every single bit. And anyone who tries to hurt you will regret it for the rest of their life, however short I decide to make it.” Harper reached up with her free hand and touched his face. “I love you, Sebastian Sterling. I know it’s too soon, and I probably shouldn’t say it, and you don’t have to say it back, but I need you to know.

” Sebastian’s breath caught. Harper, I’ve loved you since before I even met you,” Harper continued, her voice getting stronger. “My teacher told me about you. Told me we were meant for each other. And I thought she was crazy. But then I saw you, and it was like my soul recognized you. And every day since, and I’ve fallen deeper until now, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

” Sebastian struggled with words, with feelings he’d kept locked away for so long that expressing them felt like breaking through stone. I’m not good at this, at saying what I feel. But you, you’ve changed everything. You make me want to be better, want to be the man you see when you look at me with those eyes full of trust.

 I don’t know if what I feel is love yet or if it’s something even bigger than that, but I know I need you. I know the thought of losing you makes me feel like the ground is disappearing under my feet, and I know I’ll burn down the whole world to keep you safe.” Harper smiled through her tears. “That’s close enough to a love confession for me.

” They stayed like that, hands linked, looking at each other, until Harper’s eyes started to close again with exhaustion. “Sleep,” Sebastian murmured. I’ll be right here when you wake up. And he was. For the next 3 days, while Harper slowly recovered, Sebastian barely left her side. He worked from her bedside, held video conferences from a laptop perched on a chair, made decisions about the company without ever leaving the room.

The press conference happened without him. Mason stood in front of cameras, and made his case about Sebastian being unfit. But then something unexpected occurred. Dr. Luo appeared with several other renowned doctors and healers, and they held their own press conference, calling Mason’s claims ridiculous and vouching for Sebastian’s character.

 More than that, they revealed that they’d been brought in to treat a case of deliberate poisoning within the Sterling household, and they made clear that anyone who would harm an innocent girl to gain power was the truly unfit one. The public opinion, which had been uncertain, swung decisively against Mason.

 Social media exploded with support for Sebastian and Harper, calling their love story romantic and genuine. Investigators that Sebastian had hired found the evidence they needed. A kitchen assistant had been bribed by someone to add small amounts of the energy blocking substance to Harper’s food. When questioned, the assistant finally cracked and admitted that the bribes had come from Eler Kensington, acting on information provided by Mason himself.

 Sebastian had them both arrested. Isa for attempted murder, Mason for conspiracy. The whole scheme unraveled spectacularly, and Mason’s grab for power collapsed like a house of cards. By the time Harper was well enough to get out of bed, the danger was passed. The board had publicly reaffirmed Sebastian as the rightful head of Sterling Corporation.

 Mason was in jail, awaiting trial. Isa and her co-conspirators were facing serious criminal charges. It was over. Harper’s first day out of bed, she walked slowly to the window, still weak, but getting stronger. She looked out at the mansion grounds, at the city beyond, and felt spark land on her shoulder. The little spirit creature having stayed close throughout her illness.

 “We did it,” she whispered. “We survived,” Spark chirped agreement. “Mama is strong, and Papa, too,” Harper laughed at the bird, still calling Sebastian Papa, but she couldn’t quite disagree. Over the past few days, Sebastian had proven over and over that he would choose her over everything else.

 That was worth more than any romantic speech or grand gesture. Sebastian came up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist carefully like she might break. “How are you feeling?” Harper leaned back against him. “Better, stronger, thanks to you.” She turned in his arms to look up at him. Dr. Luo told me what you did, how you learned to channel energy to help heal me.

 That’s not easy for someone with no training. Sebastian shrugged. I had good motivation. Harper smiled. The engagement party. Do you still want to have one or have I caused too much scandal? Sebastian’s arms tightened around her. I want the whole world to know you’re mine. Party, engagement, wedding, all of it. as soon as you’re ready.

 Harper’s smile turned mischievous. I’m ready now. Let’s do it tomorrow. Sebastian laughed. Actually laughed. Something he so rarely did that it made Harper’s heart sing. Give it at least a week. Let’s give the press time to calm down from the last scandal before we create a new one. Harper nodded, then grew serious. Sebastian, I need to tell you something about why I really came here.

 About the prophecy my teacher told me. Sebastian listened as Harper explained how her teacher, the medicine teacher of the mountains, had raised her and taught her everything she knew. how the teacher had been having visions about Sebastian for years, seeing him in danger, seeing a darkness trying to consume him.

 How she’d told Harper that her destiny was tied to his, that she needed to go to him, to save him, to stand beside him. “So, you came because of a prophecy, not because you actually wanted to.” Harper shook her head firmly. I came because of the prophecy, yes, but I stayed because of you.

 The real you, not some destiny or vision. And I fell in love because of who you are, not because fate said I should. She took his hands. I know it sounds crazy. My whole life probably sounds crazy to you. Magic birds and energy healing and mountain prophecies, but it’s all real and it’s all part of who I am. If you can’t accept that. Sebastian pulled her close, resting his chin on top of her head.

Harper’s clear. You brought me back from death, survive poisoning, call down lightning, and have a magical bird that calls me papa. I think I’m past the point of being shocked by anything about you. He pulled back to look at her. Seriously, but I need you to promise me something. No more secrets.

 If there are other prophecies, other dangers, other magical weirdness in your past, I need to know about it. I can’t protect you from things I don’t know. >> I promise complete honesty from now on. Though, you should probably know that my teacher also predicted we’d have three children, two boys and a girl, and that the youngest would inherit my abilities.

>> Three children? >> Well, not right away. I mean, we haven’t even kissed yet. not a real kiss. And we should probably get married first. And I’m only 18, so there’s plenty of time. And oh my goodness, why did I say that out loud? She buried her burning face against his chest in embarrassment. Sebastian found himself smiling, his arms coming up to hold her.

>> Harper M? >> I think it’s time we fix that first thing you mentioned. Harper looked up confused. >> “What first thing?” >> Instead of answering, Sebastian cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks, and lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, questioning, giving her time to pull away if she wanted.

 But Harper didn’t pull away. She melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck, kissing him back with all the love and devotion she’d been holding inside. The kiss deepened, became less careful, and more passionate. Months of tension and emotion pouring out. When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Harper’s face was flushed and her eyes were sparkling.

>> “Wow, that was >> long overdue,” >> Sebastian finished. >> “And we’re doing it again very soon.” >> Harper laughed and pulled him back down for another kiss. And this time, Spark, who’d been watching from the windowsill, chirped loudly in approval. >> Mama and Papa kissing. This is very good. >> They broke apart, laughing, and Sebastian shook his head at the spirit bird.

Are you going to be commenting on everything we do from now on? >> Yes, it’s my job to make sure Papa treats Mama properly. >> Harper scooped up the bird, still laughing. >> I think we can manage on our own. Thank you very much. >> She sent Spark off to explore the garden, then turned back to Sebastian with a soft smile.

>> So, where were we? >> Right about here, I think. >> The engagement party, when it finally happened 2 weeks later, was the event of the season. Everyone who was anyone attended, partly to celebrate the Sterling heir’s engagement, and partly because they were desperately curious about the mysterious mountain girl who’d captivated him.

 Harper wore a dress that made her look like a princess from a fairy tale. Her hair styled elegantly, but with small wild flowers woven through it as a nod to her mountain roots. She stood next to Sebastian as they greeted hundreds of guests, her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow, and she handled it all with a grace that surprised everyone who dismissed her as just a simple country girl.

 Grandma Clara gave a speech about how Harper had brought life and light back into her grandson’s eyes, how she was truly the Sterling family’s lucky star. Dr. The Luo gave his blessing, revealing publicly that Harper was the student of the legendary medicine teacher, and therefore deserved respect and honor from everyone.

 Even some of the society women who’d scorned Harper at first found themselves charmed by her genuine warmth and her obvious devotion to Sebastian. The highlight of the evening came when Sebastian pulled Harper onto the dance floor for their first dance as an engaged couple. Harper, who’d spent the last two weeks learning to waltz, managed to keep up without stepping on his feet more than twice.

As they turned around the floor, Sebastian looked down at her and spoke quietly for her ears alone. Happy. >> Incredible. Though I keep expecting something to go wrong, this all feels too perfect. >> Nothing’s going to go wrong. I won’t let it. >> My fierce protector, what did I do to deserve you? >> Sebastian smiled.

 A real genuine smile that was still rare enough to make her heart flutter. Save my life. Turn my world upside down. Made me feel things I thought I’d forgotten how to feel. Should I go on? Harper shook her head. >> No, I think I get the picture. The party continued late into the night and by the time the last guests left, Harper was exhausted but happy.

 She and Sebastian stood on the terrace looking out at the city lights, his arm around her shoulders, her head resting against his chest. >> So what now? >> Now we plan a wedding. Then we live our lives. We run the company. We help people with your healing abilities and my resources. We deal with whatever magical or mundane problems come up.

We have those three children your teacher predicted. >> Papa laughed. >> All of that. >> All of that and more. A whole lifetime of it. >> Sounds perfect. Though I should probably warn you. My teacher sent a letter. She’s coming to the wedding and she’s bringing her whole community from the mountains. Apparently, they’re all very excited to meet you.

>> Sebastian groaned. Of course she is. Anything else I should know? >> Well, there’s my spirit beast friend. Not Spark, but the big one. He’s a tiger made of moonlight. He’s very protective of me. He might show up unannounced to check on me. Oh, and I can see ghosts sometimes, so if I start talking to empty air, that’s probably why.

And there’s this thing that happens every full moon where my powers get really strong and I glow a little bit. >> One weird thing at a time. Remember? >> Sorry. I get excited and start babbling. >> I know. It’s one of the things I love about you. Hopper’s eyes went wide. >> You You said love. You said it out loud.

>> I did because it’s true. I love you, Harper Sinclair. with your magic and your spirit creatures and your inability to remember to eat and your habit of saying exactly what you think, even when you probably shouldn’t. I love all of it, even the parts that terrify me. Harper felt tears spilling down her cheeks, but they were the happiest tears she’d ever cried.

>> “I love you, too, Sebastian Sterling. with your suspicious mind and your protective instincts and your terrible habit of working too hard and your slowly thawing heart. You try so hard to hide. I love all of you. >> They kissed again under the stars with the city spread out below them and their whole future stretching ahead of them, full of possibilities and adventures and love.

 And if anyone had asked Harper in that moment whether the journey down from her quiet mountain had been worth it, worth all the danger and the pain and the fear, she would have said yes a thousand times over. Because she’d found not just a place to belong, but a person to belong with. Someone who saw all of her, the strange and the magical and the ordinary, and chose her anyway.

 Someone who would stand beside her against any storm. someone who loved her exactly as she was. And that, Harper thought, as Sebastian held her close and whispered promises of forever into her hair, was worth more than all the magic in all the mountains in the world. The end came not with a bang, but with a beginning, with two hearts finding each other against all odds, with a mountain girl and a business heir, building something neither could have imagined alone, but both would treasure together.

And they lived, if not always easily or perfectly, then at least truly and bravely, and full of love for all the days of their lives. The story was complete. The mountain girl had found her home. The dying heir had found his life. And together they found their happily ever after. Thanks for watching.

 This your storyteller, Mr. Hope. Please subscribe.