The new day brought with it another storm of rumors and headlines, and as Harris scrolled through the news articles, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of anger and frustration. The story now circulating was that he had broken off his engagement with Nicole solely because of her infertility, portraying him as a heartless opportunist who had taken advantage of the Hudson Group's wealth.
Mallory, noticing the tension in Harris's expression, came over to stand beside him, glancing at the headlines on his tablet. She could sense his frustration and reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Harris," she said gently, "you know these stories aren't true. Nicole and her family were a part of your life, but things changed. It's not about her infertility."
Harris nodded, his jaw tightening as he closed the tablet, setting it aside. "I know, Mallory. But this is the price we pay for being in the public eye. People will believe what they want to believe."
Mallory's eyes were filled with empathy as she moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a reassuring embrace. "You're strong, Harris. You've been through worse. We'll weather this storm together, just like we always do."
He couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for the woman in his arms. "You're right, Mally. We've faced challenges before, and we've come out stronger. This won't be any different."
He placed a gentle kiss on Mallory's forehead. "Thank you, baby. You made my day a little brighter despite the nasty morning news."
"I am here for you, baby."
As they held each other, the weight of the rumors and the judgment of others seemed to diminish. They knew the truth of their relationship, and that was all that mattered. The world could speculate and gossip, but Harris and Mallory were resolute in their love for each other and their commitment to their daughter, Harriet.
The ringing of hArris's phone took them out of their reverie. "It's Nicole," Harris said.
"Take it," Mallory replied.
Harris sat down on the couch, his phone pressed to his ear as he listened to Nicole's voice. Mallory, sitting nearby, observed him closely, her curiosity piqued by the conversation.
"I'm sorry, Harris," Nicole's voice crackled with sincerity, "I have read the rumor online. I never wanted you to get dragged into this mess. It's not fair to you or your family."
Harris sighed, his frustration evident in his tone. "Nicole, it's not your fault. I think this was their plan all along, Marian and Dominic. They meant to involve me from the start, I'm sure of it."
Mallory's brow furrowed in concern, and she inched closer to Harris, silently urging him to share more.
Nicole, on the other end of the line, let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Harris's understanding. "You know I blame myself for all of these rumors. After I turned my back to your Mom and Dominic, they came after me, and now they drag your name."
Harris understood Nicole's words. "Nicole, don't blame yourself for this. We'll find a way to deal with it."
Nicole's voice turned determined. "I will, Harris. I'll make sure this issue is resolved, and we won't have to worry about it anymore."
Mallory, now sitting next to Harris, mouthed her support, and Harris nodded in response, his gratitude evident.
As Nicole and Harris continued their conversation, Mallory couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the way Harris handled things. She placed her hand gently on his shoulder, offering silent comfort as they navigated this challenging situation together.
Mallory couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that crept over her as she listened to Harris's conversation with Nicole. 
Although she admired Nicole's determination to resolve the issue, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. As Harris's girlfriend, she wanted to be there for him and contribute to solving the problems that seemed to keep piling up.
Once Harris hung up the call with Nicole, he turned to Mallory, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes. "Mallory, what's on your mind?" he asked, his concern palpable.
Mallory sighed softly, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the couch. "It's just... I wish there was something I could do to help you, too. I don't want to be a burden or just stand by the sidelines while you face all these challenges."
Harris reached out and gently lifted her chin, so their eyes met. "You're never a burden, Mally," he said earnestly. "And you're not standing on the sidelines. You're right here with me, offering support and understanding. That means the world to me."
Mallory's heart warmed at his words, and a small smile played on her lips. She realized that while she might not be able to handle every problem that came their way, her presence and unwavering support meant more to Harris than she had initially thought.
With a newfound sense of reassurance, she leaned in and kissed him softly. "I love you, Harris," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
Harris returned the kiss, his arms wrapping around her. "I love you too, Mally," he replied, his voice filled with the depth of his feelings for her. At that moment, they both understood that their love and partnership were the strongest tools they had to face whatever challenges life threw their way.
Harris had to go to his office while Mallory busied herself with her soon-to-be-launched business. Made calls to the suppliers, marketing team, and social media team. Her friends Heidi and Amanda were helping her with ideas to make their launching day even better. Both girls were supportive of Mallory and excited about the launching day.
In the afternoon, Harriet came home from school, and her tear-stained face immediately caught the attention of Mallory. Concerned, she rushed over to her daughter, kneeling down to her eye level and gently wiping away the tears with a soft touch.
"Sweetheart, what happened at school?" Mallory asked, her voice filled with motherly concern.
Harriet sniffled and tried to hold back more tears as she spoke. "Mommy, they said mean things about Daddy at school today. They saw him on TV with another lady, and they called him a playboy. They said he doesn't love us anymore."
Mallory's heart ached for her daughter, and she pulled Harriet into a warm, comforting hug. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. People can say hurtful things sometimes, but you must remember that they don't know the truth. Your Daddy loves you very much, and Mommy, too."
Harriet clung to her mother, finding solace in her words. "But why was Daddy with that lady on TV, Mommy?"
Mallory sighed, realizing that they needed to address this issue gently. "Well, sweetheart, sometimes grown-ups have to do things on TV or in the news because of their jobs or other reasons. It doesn't mean that Daddy doesn't love us or that he's with someone else. Daddy loves us very much, and that will never change."
Harriet looked up at her mother, her eyes searching for reassurance. "Promise, Mommy?"
Mallory smiled warmly, cupping Harriet's face in her hands. "I promise, darling. We're a family, and we love each other no matter what."
Harris, who had overheard the conversation from the doorway, stepped closer to Mallory and daughter, his heart heavy with guilt for the unintended consequences of the recent news. He knelt down beside them and wrapped his arms around both of them.
"I'm so sorry, Harriet," he said softly. "I never wanted you to go through something like this because of me."
Harriet looked at her father with teary eyes but then gave him a small, forgiving smile. "It's okay, Daddy. I know you love us."
Harris hugged her tightly, his voice choked with emotion. "I do, more than anything in this world."
Mallory pressed a loving kiss to Harriet's forehead and then to Harris's cheek. "We'll get through this together, as a family," she said, her voice unwavering in its determination to protect her loved ones from the harsh judgments of the world.
And as they held each other close, they knew that their bond was unbreakable, regardless of the rumors and misconceptions that might swirl around them.
"Let's get you to change your clothes, sweetie." Mallory leads Harriet to her room to change.
Harris's anger burned like a fierce fire as he contemplated the torment his daughter, Harriet, had endured at school. He knew he had to take swift action to protect her and put an end to the cruel rumors that were circulating.