Even as he tried to turn the speaker off the words were flowing.
“Daniel, the engagement announcement went out overnight. It’s all over the news. Olivia has been trying to reach you.”
As the blood left his face, he saw Harper's mouth fall open. “I’ll call you back,” Daniel said as Harper's eyes filled. One by one, tears fell down her face.
Daniel watched, feeling like his world was crumbling around him.
It was over.
He may be able to turn this bullshit around back home, but as his own heart cracked, he saw the same mirrored on the face of the woman in front of him.
The woman he loved.
Yet he had to try. “Please, Harper, I need to explain all of this.”
She shook her head and a gut-wrenching noise escaped her. He pulled her into his arms, and she let him. “Fuck, Harper, I love you. If you believe nothing else, please know I fucking love you.”
Goddamn it.
Harper was right—she deserved more than he could give her. In the end, it was unlikely he could give her what she wanted. He had so many other responsibilities which took priority, including his family, the business, and all this political bullshit.
Harper Kane deserved a man who would put her on a pedestal like that lovesick puppy.
Daniel wasn’t that man.
Harper pulled out of his embrace and wiped her eyes. “Well, congratulations, I guess,” she said, letting out a god-awful laugh, and he wanted to throw up. “Goodbye, Daniel.”
He stared at her. Just fucking stared at her as more tears fell, and then she turned and walked out.
Eventually, Daniel heard the door to the penthouse suite close. He followed the wake of her path until he reached the entrance.
On the table lay her Cartier watch.