Zoey tilted her head as they descended the escalator with Riley and Sienna. Just across, Nyx and Vera were coming down as well. What were the odds they'd all run into each other here? Then again, this was the Pierce building.
Zoey sighed to herself. Given the location, she wouldn't be surprised if Harriet suddenly appeared too-they were near the hospital wing, after all.
"Oh, Nyx!" Riley called, waving enthusiastically at her sister. Nyx turned, grasping Vera's hand as they walked toward the group.
"Well, small world," Nyx said, chuckling. She glanced over at Zoey. "So, where's your surgeon?"
Zoey opened her mouth to respond but then caught sight of Harriet approaching. She pointed behind Nyx. "Speaking of which..."
Nyx turned around just as Harriet reached them, though another doctor walked past, catching Harriet's attention. She stopped short, turning as the doctor did the same.
"Doctor Briar."
"Doctor Pierce."
They greeted each other in unison, their voices both surprised and slightly strained. Nyx and Vera exchanged puzzled glances as Harriet slowly put her hands in her pockets, a shift in her expression. Zoey looked between them, waiting for an explanation, and Harriet's eyes found hers, softening briefly.
"Oh," Harriet said, waving gently at her and moving closer. But Sienna's voice broke the moment.
"Sophie?" Sienna whispered, her gaze fixed on the doctor standing in front of Harriet. The entire group stilled, following her line of sight.
"What?" Harriet blinked, taken aback, looking at Sienna with visible confusion.
Sienna pointed at the doctor, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "That... that's... isn't that Sophie?"
All eyes shifted to the other doctor, and Harriet clicked her tongue in frustration. Vera chuckled darkly, unable to hide her irritation.
"What the hell, Vien?!" Vera exclaimed, stepping forward.
"Wait, wait... this can't be," Sienna stammered, looking around at everyone's faces. "Sophie... My sister... Harriet's ex...? How is that-"
"She's not Sophie," Harriet said with a heavy sigh, turning to face the doctor. "Vien, what are you doing?"
Vien laughed, a smug look crossing her face. "Oh, come on, Harriet. Even when I use Sophie's face, you still know the difference? That's real devotion," she said, stepping closer with a twisted smile.
Vera immediately stepped in front of Harriet, blocking Vien's path. "What kind of sick game is this?"
Vien's brow arched as she looked past Vera. "Oh, my twin sister's here too. What an unexpected family reunion."
"W-what?" Sienna hissed. Zoey felt just as lost, a storm of emotions brewing in her as she glanced toward Harriet, who shook her head subtly, urging her to stay quiet.
Vien grinned, her gaze mocking. "Don't you want to see Sophie alive again, Harriet? Look at this-I've made it possible."
Harriet clenched her jaw, scoffing bitterly. "Vera, your twin sister needs a psychiatric evaluation. She's clearly lost it after her accident."
Vien only laughed, taking another bold step forward before Vera pushed her back lightly. "How far will you go, Vien? You actuallyâ"
"What? I'm just doing this for Harriet," Vien said with a wink, as if it were a favor.
"Enough, Vien!" Harriet's voice was firm, her discomfort evident. "You didn't have Sophie's family's permission for this. Did you even consider what you're doing? Using your best friend's face?"
Zoey's eyes widened, barely able to process what was happening. This is beyond twisted, she thought, trying to steady herself amidst the unfolding chaos.
Zoey sighed as she watched Harriet run her fingers through her hair, silent and visibly tense. Harriet had been staying at her place but hadn't said much all evening, aside from sighing and fidgeting with her hands.
Giving in, Zoey settled herself on Harriet's lap. "Still thinking about what happened this morning?" she asked gently.
Harriet glanced up, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she wrapped her arms around Zoey's waist, pulling her close. "It's because it's Vien, Zoey," she murmured, her voice low.
"And?" Zoey put her mug down on the coffee table, then cupped Harriet's face, meeting her gaze. "Who is she to you, then? Some ex-fling?"
Harriet scoffed, pulling her closer. "No, sweetheart. She's not an ex or a fling. Vien was Sophie's best friend, but when Sophie died..." Harriet trailed off, biting her lip before continuing. "Vien told me she wanted Sophie's face so I could still be with her. It's... complicated. And she's Vera's twin sisterâthey've never gotten along."
Zoey's expression softened, and she held Harriet's gaze. "So what's got you so worried, then? I'm a big girl, Harriet. Besides, I've told youâI've been taking boxing classes," she said, giving a playful grin. "I can handle myself if anything happens."
Harriet sighed, reaching for Zoey's hand and holding it tightly. "Zoey, you don't know how Vien operates," she said, her voice breaking a little. "The last thing I want is for something bad to happen to you. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."
Zoey reached up and flicked Harriet's forehead gently. "Will you relax?" She cupped Harriet's cheeks, tilting her face up to meet her eyes. "Look at me."
Harriet's hazel eyes softened, shimmering with unshed tears. "I can't afford to lose someone I care about again, Zoey. Not you. I don't think I could handle it."
Zoey swallowed, feeling the weight of Harriet's words and the scars of her past. "I'm not going anywhere, Harriet. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. I know you're scared, and so am I, but we'll protect each other," she said, pressing a gentle kiss to Harriet's forehead.
Harriet nodded, resting her head on Zoey's chest, and pulling her in closer. "Just... don't leave me," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she sniffled softly.
Zoey chuckled, rubbing Harriet's back soothingly. "I'm not leaving you. Not now, not ever," she promised, feeling the depth of Harriet's vulnerability and her own resolve to stay.
Harriet let out a deep sigh, struggling to calm herself. Zoey continued to stroke her hair gently, humming a soft tune. "I'm sorry," Zoey paused as she heard Harriet mumble.
"Why would you be sorry?" Zoey asked, concern etching her features.
"Just... because you're getting pulled into my messy past," Harriet replied, a bitter chuckle escaping her lips.
Zoey laughed lightly. "Well, you're tied up in my messy past too. We're both in this together," she said, offering a playful smile.
"I love you, Zoey," Harriet said, looking up at her with earnest eyes. "I'm serious. I love you, and I can't afford to lose you. I don't want to lose you."
"Doctor Harriet Pierce," Zoey replied with a smile, "I love you too, and I'm not going anywhere. So just relax and try to face the fears that are holding you back. I'll face my fears right alongside you."