Page 61 of Forbidden Harvest

Mom’s expression hardens, a flicker of regret passing over her features. “Aria, he’s not well. Jared hasn’t been well for a long time.”

His dad steps forward, eyes pleading. “Your stepbrother has struggled with a severe personality disorder since childhood, Aria. The fixation, the obsession... it’s all part of his illness.”

My head spins as I try to reconcile their words with the depth of connection I felt with Jared. My throat tightens.

“That’s not true,” I protest, shaking my head. “Jared loves me. What we have is real.”

“No, honey,” Mom says gently. “What you had was an unhealthy, toxic relationship fueled by Jared’s delusions. He needs professional help.”

Dad nods in agreement. “We’re worried he’s stopped taking his medication. That’s when his obsessive tendencies spiral out of control.”

I feel as though the ground is shifting beneath my feet, the foundations of everything I thought I knew crumbling around me.

“Where is he?” I ask, my voice rising with desperation.

“The cops haven’t been able to find him,” Dad says, his voice heavy with regret. “He’s on the run.”

Those four words hit me like a physical blow, knocking the wind out of me.

On the run.

My Jared was forced to flee like a common criminal because of our love.

I shake my head, refusing to accept their version of reality. “We’re not related by blood. It’s not illegal. You shouldn’t have called the cops on him. You need to call them off.”

My stepdad moves closer. “We’re worried he’s off his meds, Aria. It’s dangerous for him and you.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “He doesn’t need medication. He’s just...”

Intense. Possessive. Mine.

Suddenly, the front door swings open. My heart stops as I recognize the silhouette framed in the entryway.

Jared.

He steps into the room, his eyes wild, holding a knife. His gaze lands on my parents, and his expression darkens. “You,”he snarls, taking a menacing step forward. “You called the cops on me.”

His dad moves between us, his body tense. “You shouldn’t be here, Jared,” he warns, his voice steady despite the looming danger.

Jared’s eyes flash with a dangerous mix of emotions as he takes another step forward, his hand tightening around the knife. “I came for Aria. She’s coming with me.”

I dart around my stepdad and rush to Jared’s side, ignoring my parents’ protests. “I’m leaving with Jared,” I declare, standing tall and grabbing his hand. “We won’t bother you again.”

I see the myriad emotions playing out on their faces—worry, anger, and finally, defeat. They know there’s no convincing me.

The sound of sirens pierces the tense atmosphere and grows louder. Jared’s grip tightens on the knife and his body tenses. Immediately I realize they've caught him just in the nick of time. But if he fights, it will be so much worse.

“Jared, no,” I whisper, reaching for his hand with the knife in.

In an instant, he lets go of the knife, tossing it aside. The clatter of metal on hardwood echoes in the room.

The police burst through the door, weapons drawn. Their gazes land on us, and I step protectively before Jared.

“Nobody needs to get hurt here,” one of the officers says, hand on his gun. “Jared Wilkins, you’re under arrest for cyberstalking. Please keep your hands where we can see them and come with us quietly.”

I turn to Jared, searching his eyes for any hint of hesitation or fear, but all I see is determination. He takes a step toward me, his eyes burning with intensity.

“I’ll come with you without a fight,” he says to the offices, looking at me. “Aria, I’ll be back for you. Nothing can keep me away.”

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