Bound to the Billionaire: His Defiant Queen-Chapter 46: HER BREAKING POINT WAS MY PAIN

EZRA

I watch Harlem as she walks out of the house, looking... vulnerable. A sight I never taught I would see for sure. I stare at her ’father’ who looks so unbothered about telling his only daughter to never step foot into his house again. I wonder what led to this. I have a feeling she was about to tell me about it upstairs, but one of the twins who has been glaring at me since we arrived in Poland, interrupted us.

"Harrison, I thought you were past this? She’s your daughter. OUR daughter, how long are you going to keep this up?" I hear Mrs. Tamrin’s voice break as she speaks to her husband pleadingly. Yeah, I don’t think he’s going to change his mind today.

Zaron walks up to his father and boy do I FEEL the tension. "You had to do this? Just days before my wedding? I knew you were selfish but this is just a whole new level." He seethes and takes Violet and they leave the house, leaving Zeke, Mrs. Tamrin; who has turned away to sob quietly, Mr. Tamrin and I in the room. Yeah, no.

I look at my watch; it’s been five minutes. Time to tail Harlem. I walk out of the house without saying goodbye because I’m way overstimulated and if I speak to anyone, I’m certain the cops will arrive. Is this how her own family treats her? Her father just plain ignoring her existence, her mother just sobbing and her brothers not doing anything to stop it? I know it’s not my place and I have no idea what went down but she should be getting better from her own family. And as a matter of fact, I don’t care what happened. I’m team Harlem.

I hop into my car, hoping I’d still catch up to her, wherever she may be. It’s not long till I see her walking under the roadside lights with her hands in her pockets. I park and get out of the car to walk behind her slowly.

She kicks a couple stones, stops walking at some point, even swears out loud; which causes a few heads to turn but she never stops walking. And I follow committedly.

She eventually stops at a bench beside a pond and sits in the quiet. I look around; there are just a few people a few feet from us but other than that, the place is quite empty. When I feel she’s had enough self-meditation, I walk up to her quietly and take a seat beside her. She startles slightly; guess she really didn’t notice me. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"How did you..." she asks, sniffing a bit and I notice she’s crying or she’s trying not to. Something in my chest gives way and I feel every instinct to burn the world down to put a smile on her face and never see those tears again. I blink and stare at her as I wonder what the hell it is I’m feeling and why it makes me feel like I’m going crazy.

I clear my throat "I followed you. To make sure you’re safe." I tell her, staring at her glassy eyes.

"Oh. Lemme guess, Zeke’s idea?" she chuckles sadistically.

"I’m the one here, princess. Not Zeke." I tell her and when she sees I’m serious, she sobers.

"Oh, um... my bad." She mutters.

I stare at her as she plays nervously with her fingers and stares at the illuminating pond. She’s not okay and I have no idea how to make it better. I swallow because my throat feels tight. I decide that maybe I should ask her if she wants to let me know what caused this much tension but before I can ask, she speaks.

"My dad wanted me to get married to someone I didn’t want. When I refused and tried to run away, he disowned me. That’s actually how I ended up in Berlin. To put it short." She says, rushing the words out like it hurts to keep it in. I stare at her, certain I’m about to lose my shit, if I have any left. Did she just say what I think she said? The thought of another man claiming her made something ugly awaken in me. I swallow, feeling bile rise up.

"I see." I mutter and she looks at me like she’s trying to figure out my reaction. When she doesn’t get anything, she sighs and turns away. I see a tear drop fall from her eyes and before I use my brain, my body moves. I catch the tear before it falls and she looks at me, her eyes going wide. Fuck it.

I move closer to her and take her hand, entwining our fingers. Then, I envelope her in my arms and she grips my torso and sobs. The sound is going to haunt me for sure. I hold her and smooth her hair from her eyes.

"Let it out, princess. I want you to know, you did NOTHING to deserve that. And it’s alright to admit that even family can be assholes." I whisper, feeling myself go insanely protective and possessive of this woman. I have to try or I’ll hate myself for not trying. Whatever is happening to me when she cries...I know it’s not harmless.

She sobs some more and eventually, it dies down. After a moment of silence, I speak again. "Let’s go, princess. It’s getting dark." She nods and untangles herself from me, standing up. I stand with her and take out my napkin, cleaning her face. Surprisingly, she lets me.

We get in the car and drive in silence. She switches on the radio after a beat and Chris Brown’s Grass ain’t greener blasts on the speaker. Guess she wasn’t enjoying the silence.

I occasionally look at her as I drive and she just faces the window, leaning slightly on it with a drained expression. I hear a restrained sniffle and I take her palm and entwine our fingers. She glances at me but doesn’t react or retreat.

We arrive at the hotel and she heads straight to her room. But before she can even get through the lobby, a teenage girl walks up to her with wide eyes, glancing at me barely. I stand behind Harlem and watch.

"Oh my God, you’re Harlem Tamrin. The Tiktoker." What? "I saw your video, you made on set and I fell in love immediately. Then, I went ahead and saw the play you were promoting. I absolutely loved it. And also, you’re Lexi Campbell’s best friend. Can I possibly get a picture?" Okayyy.

"Of course, sweetheart. What’s your name?" Harlem replies and it’s like she’s morphed into a different human entirely. Impressive. Truly.

The girl told her name with stars in her eyes and they took a selfie while I stood by, feeling like her bodyguard. Eventually, she let her go and we continued our retreat. Harlem put her hoodie up as we walked to our room sections. As usual, our rooms are beside each other and she pauses at her door.

She turns to me sharply and I use the opportunity to notice that her almond eyes are slightly puffy and red from crying, her makeup-less pale face and her pink-pouty lips which she’s biting nervously. God, she’s too ethereal.

I step closer to her and she seems to be in thought. I grab her chin lightly and turn her face upwards to me. "Spit it out, princess."

She stares at me, barely blinking. "Thank you...for being here. And it’s embarrassing that you had to see that, but that’s the summary of my family. Specially fucked up. Hope you enjoyed the show." She says chuckling dryly. Yeah, not funny.

"You’re welcome. But I’m the one who should be thanking you for letting me in. I have a ton of work to catch up on in Berlin, but I’d happily put a pause if you need me anytime, Harlem." I tell her and she looks away, snorting. She doesn’t believe me.

"I’m going to try to believe you, Ezra Roth. Good night." She says, but before she turns away, I palm the back of her neck and place a featherlight kiss on her forehead. Now, she really startles.

I just smile at her and walk into my room, feeling the distance between us go unfamiliar