"Mum!" Harper exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Harper's mother sat on Sebastian's rich leather couch. She looked like an older version of Harper. Her white tweed Chanel suit was impeccably tailored and cinched at the waist with a silver belt. The white trousers were calf length and finished with white lace and sequin low heeled ankle shoes. She looked elegant and collected, reflecting everything that Harper had always wanted to emulate. Her sharp eyes took in Harper's relaxed outfit, her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste at the relaxed fit Guess indigo acid washed jeans with a reflective floral print along the bottom and a casual grey t-shirt.

"You were quite troublesome to locate Harper." She replied crisply, her eyes cold blue chips. "Poor Jackson was absolutely beside himself, he could barely tell me where you had disappeared to."

Harper ran her hands through her hair nervously, and glanced at the ground, unsure of how to proceed. She wasn't sure how to explain the situation to her. Sebastian discreetly left the room and disappeared up to his roof garden.

"But then looking at that outfit that you have on, maybe it's a blessing that he's not in your presence."

Harper breathed out nervously. Penelope was always so concerned with appearances. It was always so hard to keep her happy with her clothing choices.

"Mum I got this at Guess just the other day." Harper sighed softly. Penelope snorted slightly and gestured for Harper to explain what she was doing living with Sebastian.

Harper perched on the arm of the couch nervously, while her mother waited patiently for her explanation. Harper played with a strand of her hair and took a deep breath.

"Mum," She started. "I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm so sorry."

Her mother looked at her, her gaze piercing right through her and into her soul.

"Couldn't do what exactly?" She queried snippily. "Stay with a loving husband that would move mountains for you? One that would give you the world if you were to only to make such a request?"

Harper winced. She knew that on the surface it looked exactly like that. She knew that for an outsider, she was running away from what looked like a perfect life.

"No Mum," she replied. "It wasn't as perfect as it looked." Harper took a deep breath. "I met someone else."

Her mother's eyebrows arched and her nostrils flared. "Do you mean to tell me that you're throwing your whole life away for some dirty prole? A filthy common labourer that captured your loins?" Her voice quivered with anger.

Harper hung her head and played with her hair, twisting the strands between her slender fingers.

"No Mum," Harper replied, the butterflies in her stomach working at double time. "It's not another man..." Her voice trailed off anxiously.

"So what you're telling me is that your new paramour is another woman?" Her mother asked astutely. Harper nodded. Her mother sighed deeply. "I always knew this day was going to eventuate." Her elegant austere shoulders slumped a little against the couch.

Harper looked at her mum with surprise. Of all the various scenarios that she had always pictured in her head, this was the least likely, especially after the way her parents had torn her to shreds for her high school sweetheart being a girl. She slid off the arm of the couch and sat closer to her mother, reaching out for her hand.

"Mum," Harper's voice quavered. "I have so much I've been afraid to tell you."

Her mother squeezed her hand gently. "Start at the beginning sweetheart."

The floodgates opened and Harper started telling her mother everything that had been going on with Jackson. She told her about the affairs that had been going between the both of them. How she'd had affairs and how also had Jackson had affairs throughout the marriage. How she had met Brooklyn and fallen head over heels for her. How it had felt perfect when they were together. She explained how Jackson had fallen into a deep rage when he had found out about the affair and how he had gotten violent. How Sebastian had swooped in and helped her move out. She told her mother about how she had walked in on Brooklyn cheating on her and how heartbroken she was now.

Her mother listened without saying anything, only nodding and squeezing her hand when it became harder for Harper to keep talking, through all the tears that kept falling down her cheeks. It was a huge relief to get all of this baggage off her chest.

"Harper," Her mother said softly. "I had no idea how it was difficult for you. It really did appear that you had the perfect marriage. The two of you always looked so enamoured of each other."

"I know," Harper replied. "We had a pretty good sham of a marriage happening."

Harper's mother nodded thoughtfully. "You are aware that your father is going to be absolutely furious when he learns that you have left Jackson."

Harper nodded sadly. "I know Mum. I'm still afraid of telling him."

Her mother squeezed her hand again. "Don't allow it to perturb you sweetheart. Is there anything that I can assist you with? How are you coping financially?"

"I have a little bit saved up," Harper explained. "I'm looking for work so Sebastian doesn't need to support me. I feel bad that he's been helping me out so much."

Her mother nodded. "If I can do anything to ameliorate your unfortunate circumstances, please don't hesitate sweetheart."

Harper breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Mum, you have no idea how much that means to me."

Penelope reached out and squeezed Harper's hand reassuringly.

Sebastian came down the stairs.

"How's everything going here ladies?"

"Good." Harper replied with a tear stained smile. Her mother stood and smoothed out her pristine Chanel suit. She regally strode over to Sebastian.

"I really must thank you for being so attentive towards my little girl." She said warmly, shaking his hand with both of hers. "Words cannot even begin to express my eternal gratitude."

"You're more than welcome Penelope," Sebastian replied a little taken aback by the change that Penelope was showing. The difference between the coolness that she displayed earlier was such a drastic contrast with the warmth she showed now. "I would do anything for Harper."

She turned to Harper and hugged her close. "Take care of yourself Harper. I'll speak to your father on your behalf."

"Thanks Mum." Harper smiled, hugging her mother tightly in return. "I'll speak to you soon."

Penelope left and Harper turned to Sebastian.

"Wow!" She exclaimed. "I can't believe that she took it so well."

Sebastian poured himself a vodka and poured another one her. He leant against the counter and took a long swig of his drink.

"You're lucky Har-Bear." He said pensively. "My parents are still a bit iffy about the whole gay thing and they've known for a lot longer than your mother has."

"In all fairness," Harper replied. "They've kinda known since I was a teenager, but they just thought that I'd just outgrown it when I married Jackson."

Sebastian nodded. "It's always hard when the expectations that parents have aren't met when it comes to their children." He took another sip of his drink, finishing it. He held up his glass to Harper as a question. She finished her drink quickly and tilted her glass in front of her for him to refill.

"Hell yes!" She exclaimed. "After today, I could so use another one."

Sebastian topped up her glass and threw in a handful ice. He clicked his glass against hers.

"I know Har-Bear." He agreed. "You've had a hell of a day."

They both took a swig of their drinks.

"To no more surprises today!" Harper declared. They toasted again and drank again. The doorbell rang, interrupting their celebration.

"Seriously?" Harper groaned. "What now?"

"Grrrrl!" Sebastian trilled. "This place is becoming busier than grand central station!"

Harper looked at Sebastian as the doorbell rang again.

"Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock?" Sebastian said with his raised eyebrow. Harper laughed.

"Seriously though, could you Sebby?" Harper asked. "I don't know if I could handle any more surprises tonight."

"Sure thing Har-Bear." Sebastian replied jauntily as the doorbell rang again. "I got your back grrrrl."

He strode over to the door and looked through the peephole.

"Har-Bear!" He exclaimed. "You're not gonna believe whose on the other side of this door!"

"How many guesses do I have?" Harper asked intrigued.

"Oh hun-neeee!" He said with dramatic flair. "You're only gonna need one!" His gaze turned serious. "But seriously, go upstairs. I'll get you once I'm done."

Harper nodded and made her way upstairs with some trepidation. Her thoughts swirled in her head. So it could be one of two people, either Jackson or Brooklyn. Neither of which she was in the right state of mind to talk to. She heard Sebastian talking in low tones and then the door closed.

Brooklyn made her way to Sebastian's townhouse. Harper had been ignoring her for a few days and she wasn't sure why. As far as she was concerned, nothing had happened for her to suddenly stop talking to her. Well, nothing that she could think of.

She rang the doorbell several times waiting tensely for an answer. Sebastian opened the door.

"So," Sebastian's eyes narrowed coldly. "It's you."

"Err..." Brooklyn stammered taken aback by the chilly greeting. "Is Harper home?"

"No." Sebastian replied flatly. "She's gone out."

"Um... Ok then." Brooklyn ran her hands through her hair. "She hasn't been at work either."

"She's taking some time off. A lot has happened to her lately."

Brooklyn swallowed, unsure of why she was receiving such an icy reception. "Can you let her know that I stopped by?" She asked. "I've been worried about her."

Sebastian nodded curtly and closed the door in her face abruptly.

Brooklyn stood on his doorstep stumped. Maybe Jackson had shared the photos that he was threatening her with? Why wouldn't Harper just talk to her? Or just what if... Had she seen her with Mia? That day she could have sworn she saw someone at her place, but couldn't be 100% sure. Shit! She thought sadly. Guess its over and done with now. That would explain why Harper was avoiding her. Unless of course, she's avoiding me for a different reason?