Chapter 4

Harper's POV

Over the next few weeks, my life transformed completely.

At the Mental Health Center, I was no longer the girl hiding in corners. I actively participated in group discussions, assisted with crisis interventions, and even began leading new volunteer training sessions. Dr. Martinez frequently praised my progress, and other volunteers started treating me as a core team member.

"Harper, you've really changed so much," my new friend Sarah said. "When I first met you, you were always so cautious. Now you speak with real confidence."

I smiled softly. Just when I thought life was finally on track, crisis struck unexpectedly.

That evening, I'd just returned from the library and was heading upstairs when I heard heated arguing from the second floor.

"Madison, we need to TALK!" Brad's voice sounded furious.

"About what NOW?" Madison's voice was sharp and grating.

I hesitated, then tiptoed up the stairs. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop - I just needed to get to my room through the hallway.

"I had dinner with friends today. They asked what you do for work, what your hobbies are. I couldn't answer!" Brad's voice grew louder. "Madison, besides your looks, what do we even talk about? Do you have any thoughts of your own?"

"Why should I have thoughts?" Madison's voice was full of disdain. "I'm beautiful, I come from a good family - isn't that enough? Didn't you want to marry me for exactly those things?"

"Jesus, Madison, LISTEN to yourself! You're like an empty vase!"

"So what if I'm a vase? At least I'm worth something!"

I stood shocked in the hallway. Was this the Madison I knew? The proud, confident sister comparing herself to a VASE?

The door suddenly flew open. Brad stormed out, nearly colliding with me.

"Harper? What are you doing here?" he snapped, embarrassed.

"Just going to my room."

Brad looked at me, shook his head, and went downstairs.

Madison emerged from her room too. Seeing me standing there, her expression darkened further.

"You heard all that?"

"I didn't mean to—"

"Whatever, it's not exactly a secret." Madison leaned against the doorframe, suddenly looking exhausted. "Harper, do you know how TIRING it is being the perfect woman? Every day maintaining perfect makeup, perfect figure, perfect smile. But now Brad says I have no substance."

She laughed bitterly. "But growing up, everyone only ever complimented my looks - nobody cared what I thought. Now he complains I have no opinions. Is that fair?"

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to comfort her, but her next words instantly killed my sympathy.

"But whatever, at least I still have my looks to rely on." She looked me up and down. "Unlike SOME people who have neither looks nor talent."

My heart clenched. Even in her vulnerable moment, she had to put me down.

"Madison—"

"Forget it, you wouldn't understand." She waved dismissively and went back to her room, slamming the door.

I stood in the hallway with mixed emotions.

Saturday night, Sarah and I went shopping and I bought a new dress - a lake-blue sundress that suited my complexion perfectly. I'd never dared wear such colors before, always thinking they'd make me look more ordinary. But now I realized ordinary didn't mean ugly.

As we left the mall planning to grab coffee nearby, loud music and shouting erupted from across the street.

"That's the frat party," Sarah pointed to the house. "They're this loud every Saturday."

Looking over, I spotted a familiar figure - Ryan. He looked drunk, eyes unfocused, walking unsteadily.

What worried me more was Tyler standing beside him - Ryan's roommate who always made me uncomfortable.

Tyler suddenly turned and saw me across the street. His gaze immediately turned strange, looking me up and down with naked eyes that made my skin crawl.

"Harper!" Ryan spotted me and stumbled over. "What are you doing here?"

"Shopping with a friend. Ryan, are you okay? You look—"

"I'm GREAT!" His voice was loud but his eyes completely unfocused. "I've never been better!"

Tyler followed, wearing a disgusting smile. "So this is your sister Harper? Not bad, especially in that dress."

His eyes roamed over me again, making me want to run.

"Ryan, I think you need to go home and rest—"

"Harper, mind your own BUSINESS!" Ryan suddenly turned vicious, completely unlike his usual self. "This has nothing to do with you!"

His attitude scared me. "Ryan, I'm just worried about you—"

"I don't need your worry! Just take care of yourself!"

Sarah tugged my arm. "Harper, let's go."

I nodded, and we quickly left. But Tyler's stare and Ryan's bizarre behavior left me unsettled.

Sunday dinner, the whole family sat around the table with more tension than usual.

Madison was in a foul mood, just pushing food around her plate. Brad hadn't come for dinner - supposedly had "something urgent."

"Madison, what's wrong? You look upset," Mom asked with concern.

"Nothing, just tired," Madison replied dismissively.

"Did you fight with Brad?" Dad asked directly. "Your wedding's coming up - you can't have problems now."

"We didn't fight, just... some ideological differences."

Ryan said lazily, "What differences? Does he think you're too stupid?"

"RYAN!" Mom scolded.

"Just kidding." Ryan shrugged.

Seeing the mounting tension, I tried to mediate: "Actually, every couple has different perspectives - that's normal. Madison and Brad just need to communicate more—"

"What do YOU know?" Madison suddenly interrupted. "You don't even have a boyfriend - what gives you the right to advise me?"

The table went silent.

Madison continued glaring at me viciously. "At least someone wants ME. Unlike some people who can only find validation at the Mental Health Center."

Before, I would have silently endured this. But today was different. I put down my fork and looked directly into her eyes:

"Yes, I work at the Mental Health Center. I help people who need help, I've saved lives. That makes me PROUD."

Everyone at the table froze.

Madison sneered. "Proud? Harper, those are people with mental problems - what normal person goes to places like that?"

"Those people are braver than you think." My voice was calm, but my heart was burning. "They face their pain, seek help, work to heal themselves. That's much braver than hiding behind appearances and avoiding reality."

"What did you just say?" Madison's expression changed instantly.

"I said true beauty isn't just appearance. A person's worth isn't determined by looks." I looked at her. "Maybe Brad is right - maybe you DO need to think about what you have besides your appearance."

"HARPER!" Mom snapped. "How can you talk to your sister like that?"

"Why can't I?" I turned to Mom, questioning her directly for the first time. "She can freely belittle my work, mock the people I help, but I can't tell the truth?"

The atmosphere at the table was explosive. I could feel Mom's anger, Madison's shock, Dad's displeasure.

But just as Mom was about to scold me, Ryan suddenly spoke:

"Enough, Mom. Harper's right."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"Madison SHOULD care about things beyond appearance. And Harper's work is meaningful - at least more than us sitting around doing nothing all day."

Mom opened her mouth but no words came.

Ryan looked at me, complex emotions flashing in his eyes. "Harper's changed. She's not that little girl who was afraid to say anything anymore. That's a good thing."

I looked at Ryan with surprise, touched despite myself. But seeing Madison's furious expression, I didn't want to escalate the conflict further.

"I'm full. Going upstairs now." I stood calmly.

Walking toward the stairs, I could feel various gazes following me.

But this time, I didn't care what they thought anymore.