Harriet laughed as she rubbed her temple, frustration evident in her voice as she listened to Vera detail the investigation's outcome. She clicked her tongue in annoyance, her gaze shifting worriedly to Zoey.
Zoey tilted her head, observing Harriet's expression. Remaining seated, she focused intently on her partner. "Thanks for the information, Vera," Harriet said, ending the call and walking over to the couch.
As Harriet approached, Zoey noticed the swelling in her ankle had gone down; she could walk, but only for short distances. The bandage had been replaced with a supportive wrap, limiting her mobility.
"Well? Did you find out who did it?" Zoey asked, gently stroking Harriet's hair as Harriet wrapped her arms around Zoey's waist, burying her face in her chest.
"Yes," Harriet mumbled, sitting up to look at Zoey. "I might need to press charges for reckless driving and hit-and-run."
Zoey frowned. "You know, it's a good thing I was driving your car that time," Harriet added, rubbing her thumb gently across Zoey's cheek.
"What's good about you getting into an accident?" Zoey raised an eyebrow, concern etched on her face.
Harriet chuckled softly. "At least it was me who got hurt, not you. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," she said, leaning in to kiss Zoey's lips.
"Harriet..." Zoey mumbled, lightly pushing her away. "Tell me who did it," she said firmly.
Harriet sighed, a bitter chuckle escaping her. "It's my case, sweetheart. You can rest easy. I'll take care of this."
"Take care of this?" Zoey echoed, disbelief evident in her voice. "What, are you planning to go reckless again? Just tell me who did this, because that's my carâand there's a chance I'm the one being targeted."
"Sweetheartâ"
"Harriet, one!" Zoey said, attempting to intimidate her.
"Two's next," Harriet shrugged, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Zoey sighed in frustration. "Look, just tell me who did it to you. Was it someone Iâ"
"It's still not confirmed, sweetheart," Harriet replied, lowering her gaze. "The plate number was fake, and the car is still under investigation."
Zoey cupped Harriet's cheeks, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Tell me directly. You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
"Can we just drop this topic, please? I don't want you stressing over things that aren't worth it," Harriet said, her tone softer but firm.
"Harriet," Zoey pressed, "do you really think this topic is unworthy? Look at youâyou're bruised andâ" Her words were cut off by Harriet kissing her again.
"Can you at least give me some girlfriend time first?" Harriet asked, gently pushing Zoey down onto the couch. "Because ever since you came back, you've been nagging me like a wife," she teased, pinning Zoey down.
Zoey gulped, staring into Harriet's eyes. "I'm not giving you any girlfriend time if you won't tell me the truth," she insisted, trying to maintain her resolve.
"I'll tell you after this," Harriet said, leaning in to kiss Zoey. In a playful attempt to stop her, Zoey bit Harriet's lower lip, but instead of breaking the kiss, Harriet chuckled, sliding her tongue into Zoey's mouth and deepening their connection.
Gasping for air, Zoey cupped Harriet's cheeks and gently pushed her away. "Jeez, Harriet, are you trying to make me pass out?" she panted, feeling the intensity of their kiss.
Harriet laughed softly as she sat up straight, allowing Zoey to catch her breath. "Right, sorry," she mumbled, running her fingers through her hair.
Zoey blinked, confused by Harriet's sudden shift in demeanor. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, searching Harriet's eyes for answers.
"Nothing at all," Harriet replied with a smile, gently tousling Zoey's hair. "You just better be safe always."
"Harriet," Zoey called out, her tone shifting to seriousness. "Was it Ellie this time?"
Harriet gulped, avoiding Zoey's gaze. "I guess it's my sister who did this," Zoey admitted as she let out a bitter laugh, clenching her fists in frustration.
"Zoey..." Harriet said, trying to ease the dark aura surrounding her.
"I'm tired of pretending to be nice to her; this is too much!" Zoey exclaimed, her disbelief visible.
Harriet blinked, covering her mouth in surprise. "Even when you're mad, you still look hot," she said, almost mesmerized by the sight.
Zoey turned to her, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "What?" she asked, amusement glistening in her eyes.
Harriet scoffed, tilting her head as she leaned back against the stair railings outside the hospital. Beside her stood Nyx, Vera, Riley, and Sienna, watching curiously. Zoey had just excused herself, saying she'd forgotten something in her office.
With a playful smile, Harriet tucked her hands into her coat pockets and looked at the two people approaching her.
"If it isn't Harriet Pierce," Ellie said, pausing as she glanced up at Harriet. Markus, beside Ellie, scowled, clearly irritated by Harriet's presence.
Harriet clicked her tongue, her smile never wavering. "Ellie Foster," she said smoothly. "What brings you hereâwith your husband, no less?"
Ellie gave a casual shrug, glancing at Markus before looking back at Harriet. "We're here to visit Zoey," she replied coolly.
Harriet raised an eyebrow and glanced over her shoulder, noting the confusion on her companions' faces. "And why would you be visiting Zoey?" she asked.
Ellie shrugged nonchalantly. "We heard something happened to her..." She trailed off, her eyes catching sight of the bruises on Harriet's jaw. For a moment, her mask of composure seemed to slip.
Harriet smirked, chuckling. "Caught you off guard?"
"What?" Ellie asked, blinking, quickly trying to compose herself.
"It seems my bruises surprised you. Did you expect to find Zoey in this condition instead?" Harriet pressed, straightening up.
Ellie shifted uneasily under Harriet's gaze but managed to scoff in disbelief. "I really can't stand you," she muttered, shrugging. "I doubt Zoey would want to stay with you after what I told her," she added, her tone triumphant.
Harriet laughed softly, rubbing her temple. "So, it was you," she said, referring to the organ donor agreement Sophie's parents had arranged. "You told her about it?"
Ellie smiled smugly. "Yes, a little gift for my sister. She deserved to know the truth."
Harriet shrugged, unfazed. "I agreeâZoey deserved to know. But you seem to have missed a crucial detail," she said. "I had no idea Sophie's parents decided to donate her organ to Zoey. My feelings for Zoey have nothing to do with that. But don't worry, Zoey and I have already worked things out," she added with a calm smile.
Ellie opened her mouth to respond, but just then, Zoey returned. "HarrietâEllie?" she asked, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. She quickly moved to Harriet's side, her gaze shifting uneasily between Ellie and Markus. "What are you doing here, Ellie?"
Ellie tilted her head, rolling her eyes with a sarcastic smile. "Wow, you seem fine," she said, her tone dripping with mock surprise.
Zoey glanced at Harriet, then at Ellie, keeping her composure. "Of course, I'm fine," she replied, checking herself over as if to confirm. "See? Perfectly fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
Ellie shrugged, casting a glance from Zoey to Harriet and then toward the others before smirking. "So, you're staying with the Pierces, then?"
Zoey sighed, irritation seeping into her voice. "Ellie, if this is aboutâ"
"Do they even know about your donor?" Ellie interrupted, her tone dripping with a challenge.
Zoey scoffed, running a hand through her hair. "Really, Ellie? That's a personal issue. You have no right to bring it up here."
Ellie clapped her hands, her smile saccharine and mocking. "Oh, but it seems the whole Pierce family is gathered hereâwith their significant others, no less. Why not let me do the honors and share the news?" She looked straight at Zoey, relishing her sister's discomfort.
Zoey took a steadying breath, frustration tightening her jaw. "How far are you willing to go with this, Ellie? Whatever issues we have, they're between you and me. These people don't need to be dragged into our family mess."
Ellie ignored her plea. "Oh, but they deserve the truthâthat you, Zoey Foster, my sister, are theâ"
"Enough, Ellie!" Zoey snapped, her voice calm but firm. "What does it matter to you if I'm the recipient of Sophie Reed's heart? And even if I am, it's not like I forced anyone to donate it to me."
Ellie's expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with defiance. Around them, Vera and Nyx exchanged shocked glances, while Riley and Sienna looked on silently, already aware of the situation.
Harriet sighed, stepping forward to try to protect Zoey from the mounting tension. But Zoey turned to her with a steady gaze. "Let me handle this," she murmured softly. "This is my issue to confront."
Harriet hesitated, worry flickering in her eyes. "Zoey, are you sure? This could affectâ"
"It'll be fine," Zoey assured her, her smile warm despite the tension. "And if I push myself too far... just be there for me?"
Harriet chuckled softly, brushing a hand through Zoey's hair. "Alright, go talk to your sister. But I'm here, right by your side."
Zoey nodded, turning back to Ellie. She walked closer, her gaze locked onto her sister's. Leaning in, she whispered sharply, "Ellie, don't you think this has gone too far? Hurting Harriet just to get back at me?"