It wasn’t the person he was desperately hoping for. It was Harper. 

Years of letting her waltz in and out of his life meant the staff never questioned Harper’s presence. She walked into his house like she owned it. 

She spotted him in the study immediately, her face lighting up as she practically bounced over. 

“Milo! I’ve been waiting forever for you. Why are you still here?” 

She was talking about the bartending gig. After the disaster at Lumière, he’d promised to work there to make her feel better–said he’d start as soon as the place reopened. Which was today. 

Every instinct screamed at him to get her out of his study, out of his space. But Harper had already zeroed in on the divorce papers in his hands. 

Her expression shifted to fake concern, though her eyes were practically sparkling with victory. 

“Oh wow, Eliana really wants to divorce you? That’s… honestly pretty ungrateful. You’re such an incredible husband–she has no idea how lucky she 

was.” 

She tucked her hair behind her ear with practiced sympathy, playing the supportive friend perfectly. 

Milo wanted to tell her she was wrong–that he’d been a shit husband who’d destroyed the best thing in his life. But looking at Harper’s glowing face, the words died in his throat. 

He didn’t understand what the hell was wrong with him. He’d spent years dreaming of this moment when he’d be free to choose Harper. This should be everything he’d ever wanted. 

But all he could think about was that goddamn scorecard and every single way he’d systematically broken Eliana’s heart. 

Before he could process his emotions, Harper let out an excited gasp. 

“Oh my God, Milo! You kept everything” 

He followed her gaze, suddenly seeing his study through new eyes–this pathetic shrine to their college relationship. 

Love letters Harper had written him, pressed flowers from their dates, ticket stubs from concerts, photos of them looking young and happy. He’d preserved it all like some lovesick teenager, even after marrying Eljana. 

He’d fantasized about this moment when Harper would see his devotion and realize they belonged together. But now that it was happening, he felt nothing but crushing shame. 

“Look at this–you still have that cheesy poem I wrote you freshman year! And these roses from our six month anniversary… God, we were so young and crazy in love.” 

Harper rifled through his collection with zero shame, squealing over each memory like they were priceless artifacts. 

But every exclamation felt like a knife twisting in his gut. 

Because while he’d been preserving Harper’s old love letters like religious relics, he’d never written Eliana a single romantic note. While he’d kept Harper’s wilted flowers under glass, he’d never brought Eliana flowers unless it was damage control after a fight. 

The realization hit him like a sledgehammer: he’d given Eliana nothing. No grand gestures, no romantic surprises, no evidence that she mattered beyond being convenient. 

But she’d loved him anyway. Completely, desperately, for three whole years while he treated her like a consolation prize. 

“And this photo from spring formal–remember how we snuck onto the roof and you said you’d love me forever?” Harper’s laugh was musical, delighted. “You were such a romantic back then.” 

With Eliana, romance had been an afterthought. Anniversaries forgotten, birthdays missed, every special moment sacrificed for Harper’s drama or 

his own selfishness, 

“Oh, and look‘ You kept the bracelet 1 gave you.” Harper held up a simple silver chain. “I wondered what happened to this.” 

15:19 

Sorry Captain Milo, Our Love Score Has Hit Zers 

Chapter 13 

He’d worn it every day junior year, even after Harper dumped frim. Meanwhile, Eliana’s wedding ring–the symbol of her commitment–had ended up lost while he was making soup for his ex. 

Each memory Harper resurrected was another reminder of how completely he’d failed as a husband. How he’d lavished attention on the woman who’d abandoned him while neglecting the one who’d stayed. 

“This is so sweet, Milo. I can’t believe you kept our whole love story.” 

Love story. While Harper’s affection had been conditional and fleeting, Eliana had offered him unconditional devotion–and he’d thrown in away garbage. 

Harper was too busy basking in her victory to notice his expression crumbling. She’d known he couldn’t get over her. This room proved she’d always been his priority, marriage be damned. 

When she’d thoroughly examined every piece of evidence, Harper turned to him with a triumphant smile. 

“Milo, I know I hurt you when I left. Breaking up was the stupidest thing I ever did. But now we’re both free–no complications, no messy obligations. What do you say? Ready to give us another shot?” 

Harper’s confidence was radiant. Why wouldn’t she be sure of his answer? Everyone knew Milo Blake’s heart belonged to Harper Lennox 

His throat worked desperately, trying to form the “yes” that should come automatically. 

For years, he’d believed Harper was his soulmate, his destiny, his one true love. 

But the word wouldn’t come. 

Because looking at Harper’s beautiful, expectant face, all he could see was Eliana’s devastated expression when she’d realized the flowers weren’t for her. Eliana’s tears when he’d forgotten their anniversary. Eliana’s broken smile when she’d tried to pretend his coldness didn’t hurt. 

He’d had a woman who would have walked through fire for him, and he’d treated her like she was invisible. 

He’d destroyed his own happiness with his bare hands, and now it was too fucking late.