Between the clouds, sunlight danced — golden rays piercing through, painting the sky in a breathtaking glow. The soft hum of the airplane blended with the rhythm of her thoughts as Harper Brown leaned against the window.
The world below looked serene — far too calm compared to the whirlwind waiting for her back home.
Her reflection on the glass smiled faintly. The same hazel eyes that once brimmed with mischief now carried a quiet maturity. Two years abroad had changed her — refined her edges, polished her grace. Yet somewhere deep inside, she was still the little girl who loved the smell of her mother's garden and the sound of her grandfather's laughter echoing through the Brown mansion.
"Ma'am, please fasten your seatbelt," the air hostess reminded politely, interrupting her reverie.
"Uh—sure, thank you," Harper replied with a soft, melodic voice that carried warmth even in its simplicity.
The hostess smiled — it was hard not to. Harper had that kind of presence — poised, radiant, yet effortless.
She was Harper Brown, heiress of Brown & Co., one of Country C's most powerful families. The Browns were known for their business empire, their influence, and their untouchable reputation. But Harper? She was their crown jewel. Every man wanted to date her, every woman envied her — and yet, beyond the dazzling surface, she was just a girl eager to go home.
As the captain's voice announced the descent, Harper closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.
Home.
The word felt both familiar and foreign.
The last two years in Country N had been a blur of lectures, corporate internships, and charity galas. But nothing compared to the thought of her family — her father's protective sternness, her mother's gentle fussing, her brothers' teasing banter, and her grandfather's approving nod whenever she entered the room.
Her lips curved into a smile. She could already imagine her family waiting at the airport, her brothers fighting over who'd carry her luggage, her mother scolding them for being loud.
The plane touched down with a soft jolt. Harper's pulse quickened — excitement blooming in her chest.
Finally, after two years, she was home.
She adjusted her sunglasses, picked up her designer tote, and walked toward the exit with quiet confidence. Heads turned as she passed, some recognizing her, others simply drawn to her poise.
Outside, the sunlight embraced her once again — the same way her family would. Or so she believed.