Page 162 of I See You

And Sevyn knew—this was a turning point. One of the pieces of Hassan’s heart that had been broken for so long had finally been put back in place.

He finally knew that he was never truly abandoned. He had always been loved.

"Harper," Sevyn said softly, redirecting the attention toward her. "Yes, bestie?!" Harper answered playfully, making Sevyn laugh. "How did you feel when Hassan moved in?"

Harper leaned back on the couch, her tone thoughtful. "Oh, I was happy. I was basically an only child. It got lonely being the only kid in the house. I had gotten used to it, but when Hassan moved in, it felt like I finally had someone. Someone I could bond with. This might sound crazy, but I connected with him more deeply because... we both lost our parents. Even though Hendrix is still alive, he’s—well—he’s dead to me."

Helen gave her a sharp look, but before she could say anything, Sevyn gently lifted a hand, silently asking her to let Harper speak. This was Harper’s space now.

“At first, I thought Hassan hated me.” Harper chuckled, but Hassan looked over at her, his face blank, though Sevyn could see the softness in his eyes.

Harper continued, “He never said two words to me. Just stared likeIannoyedhim.Itwasawkwardashell.Iusedtothinkmaybe I was too much, too clingy. Until I realized… that was just him. He was like that with Madea, Roman—everybody. He wasn’t used to affection, or people trying to love him.”

"I never hated you, Harper."

The calm way Hassan said it made Harper smile instantly. "I know."

Sevyn leaned in a little. “When did you know Hassan actually loved you? Like, more than just a cousin?”

Harper got quiet. The air in the room shifted. “When he saved me.” Her voice cracked.

Sevyn didn’t need to ask—she already knew.

“Saved you?” Helen asked, her voice sharp with confusion.

Harper looked at Hassan, who sat stoic and still—but his hand reached over, grabbing hers. The gesture was silent, grounding, and filled with more comfort than a thousand words.

Sevyn’s heart melted.He’s getting soft, she thought.

"Youdon'thavetogothere,"Sevynsaidgently."Thisisabout Hassan, and if you’re not ready to—"

"No," Harper cut in, voice steadying. “I have to. I can’t keep protecting people who never protected me.”

She turned to Helen.

"Madea… Hendrix drugged me. He tried to sell me."

Helen’s eyes widened, her hands shaking slightly. "What? No—" she began to stammer. "That’s not true."

Both Hassan and Harper gave her a look.

"It is true!" Harper snapped, now standing. The words rushed out in a flood of pain and betrayal. "He made me think he was finally being a father. The night you worked late, he cooked dinner, and put something in my drink. I was so out of it, couldn’t move, couldn’t think. But I remember… he stripped me out of my clothes, put mein some damn lingerie, and some random woman came and did my makeup and hair like I was going on a damn date."

Helen covered her mouth, eyes glassy with disbelief.

"Hetookmetoadirty-assmotel,"Harpercontinued,voicecracking but strong. "Tried to sell me off like I was fucking property." Sevyn stayed silent, watching it all unfold. The truth was spilling, loud and messy, but it was necessary. Some healing only comes in the chaos.

Hassan's hand still gripped Harper's, and though he said nothing, his presence was loud enough to hold her together.

Helen shook her head, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. “He wouldn’t... not his daughter.” Her voice cracked, desperate to deny what she’d just heard.

“He would,” Harper snapped, her voice trembling with rage. “He said it was because I was a virgin—pure—that I’d cost more. That he could come up big. He used his own daughter, Madea.” Her chest heaved as the pain spilled out. “If it wasn’t for Hassan, I’d be justlike my mother—drugged, raped, and probably dead in a damn alley somewhere.”

Helen’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“Your fucking son is a devil,” Harper continued, voice rising. “And no matter how much you want him to change, that’s all he’ll ever be tome.YouwanttoknowwhyIdon’tdate?WhyIdon’tevenlook at men? It’s because of him. No, I wasn’t raped, but he sure as hell damaged me!”

The words shattered the room.

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