As I leave the office at the end of the day and make my way past Rebecca's table she stops me. She studies me silently for a few seconds before opening her mouth to speak.

"Are you alright?" She enquires which makes my stomach clench with dread.

"I'm good." I give her the best smile I can muster and skillfully dodge any further questioning by turning my heel and hurrying out of the building.

I quickly find my car and as soon as I'm sat inside I blow out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Why am I allowing this situation with Harry to spiral out of control like this? My heartache has taken me captive while I just stand around and let it. I shake my head, a new determination flooding my system. I will not let whatever happened between Harry and I to control my whole life. Hell, it's not like we were married. I'll get over him and find someone else. At the thought I feel a dull sting in my heart. Maybe not, maybe I'll just be alone. With a frown I start my Toyota and head home. Once I draw closer to my apartment I spot Harry's Audi parked outside. My breath hitches slightly as I search for him. When my eyes find him I almost make a U-turn, but decide against it. Better I face him and get this over and done with. I park my car and take a few deep breaths before exiting and slowly making my way to my front door. Harry eyes me cautiously and as soon as I reach him he opens his mouth to speak.

"Ash, look, I'm sorry. Please le-" I cut him off.

"You've got ten minutes." I state emotionlessly and open the door.

By the look on Harry's face I know that he was expecting me to shut him out once again. Harry doesn't need to be told twice and quickly hurries inside. I silently walk over to the living room and sit down on one of the sofas. Harry seems to want to give me some distance as he sits down across the room from me.

"A-are you feeling better?" Harry questions, clearly remembering me throwing up yesterday.

"Cut to the chase Harry." I snap and cross my arms across my chest. I must seem like a bitch, but I don't dare faltering my act. Harry sighs and nods. He chews his lip while pondering his words before speaking.

"I want you to listen. I know what I did was wrong, but you have to believe me when I say that I had no idea that Stephen had such ill feelings toward you. When I told him I'd help him find you, he genuinely seemed like a concerned brother." Harry looks at me and frowns.

"I was wrong to think that. I should have known something was up by the interest he was showing." Harry wipes a shaky hand across his face and takes a breath before continuing.

"The night you phoned me to help you, I didn't expect to find you beaten and bruised. W-when you told me your brother had tried to kill you I didn't know what to do. Half of me wanted to kill him and the other half was feeling so guilty for leading him to you." His chin wobbles and he looks away from me. I feel my resolve weakening at the look of pure sadness and guilt on his face.

"If I had known what his intentions were I would have warned you. Better yet I wouldn't have helped him in the first place. I honestly care for you A-Ash. I didn't think I would, but I fell in love with you from the moment I first saw you. I didn't want to tell you that I lead your brother to you because I didn't want to lose you. I still don't want to lose you." His voice is filled with such sadness that I feel a lump start to form in my throat. When Harry's eyes meet mine, my eyes start to water.

"I-I love you." He whispers as tears trail down his face.

A sob escapes my lips and without thinking I launch Harry. His warm arms gladly accept me as he wraps them around my waist. I snuggle my head into the crook of his head well I continue to cry. Harry carefully holds me to his chest, seeming to wonder whether or not I would realize my position and back away from him. I from at his hesitation and wrap my arms around him. He notices this and pulls me tightly to his chest.

"I honestly had no idea." Harry whispers once again while rubbing small circles on my back.

I reply with a simple nod, not trusting my voice to form an adequate reply. I feel horrible for blaming everything on Harry. Of course I'm not happy that he kept all this from me, but I understand why he did. I guess my fear of having my brother hunt me down got the best of me and I blamed it all on Harry. I slightly lean back causing Harry to stiffen and loosen his grip on me. My eyes meet his and I quickly notice the deep frown etched on his face. He must think I'm distancing myself again.

"Harry..." I whisper and feel my chin slightly wobble. I'm such a mess. I shakily wipe the wetness from my face with the back of my hands and take a steadying breath before I continue.

"I-I was so afraid that you were just using me. My insecurities and fear got the best of me and I just didn't know what to do. I'm still not hundred percent okay about the fact that you withheld this from me, but I'd rather not fight and have us just go back to normal. I c-can't stand not having you around." I frown slightly and sniffle.

"I-I love y-you too." I say with a small smile and lock my eyes with his.

His face instantly lights up and a smile, which makes my insides turn to mush, makes its way onto his face. He gives a light, almost inaudible chuckle, and pulls me into his chest. He nuzzles my neck and plants a few kisses there. A giggle escapes my mouth a long with a few tears of happiness.

"What have you done to me Ashley?" Harry whispers into my neck with such sincerity and love it makes my skin prickle.

"I could ask you the same thing." I say with a sigh and rest my head on his shoulder.

After a few hours of lounging around with Harry and debating what our next step would be regarding my brother, I convinced Harry that he should leave which he reluctantly obliged to. I knew that I didn't want to be alone, but I also knew that I needed some alone time to digest everything that had happened. Harry had offered to take me out on a date tomorrow evening, but I suggested that we spend some time at my place and watch a few movies. I proposed cooking dinner which is about all the convincing I needed. Harry loves my cooking for reasons beyond my knowledge. After Harry left I made my way toward the bathroom to have a quick shower and then to my bed. I decided to leave my hair in a towel, not having the strength to blow dry it. Fatigue slowly crept up my spine and clouded my head with drowsiness. I lift my phone from the bedside table and lazily compose a text to Harry.

19:21 PM To Harry- I'm glad we talked. Sleep well Harry. x

I set down my phone on my bedside table, surprised that I'm so overwhelmed with tiredness this early in the evening. I hear my phone buzz and with a groan I reach out for it. I hate it that as soon as you get comfortable in bed, your phone goes off. Unfortunately I'm one of those people who would die of curiosity if I just left it.

19:22 PM From Harry- Sleeping already? You sure you're okay love? I'm glad we talked too. Sweet dreams beautiful. x

I smile at the message and decide not to reply. I decide that it's normal to be this tired after the emotional rollercoaster that I've been on. I set my phone down on the bedside table once again and turn on my side which makes me face away from the bedside table. I sigh in content and close my eyes, my body greedily accepting the darkness and soon enough I'm fast asleep.

***

The urge to throw up is what got me up this morning at around 2am. I shot out of bed, clutching my stomach and hurried over to the toilet. I dry heaved for a few minutes and eventually the nausea subsided. I furrow my brows and wipe a shaky hand across my forehead which is surprisingly warm. What if I am sick? I might have a stomach bug or the flu. With a frown I pull myself up and splash my face with cold water. I slowly head back to my bed and pick up my phone.

02:38am To Rebecca- I'm not coming into work today. Not feeling too well. Cover for me?

I hit send and lay back in bed, my phone still resting in my hands. Sleep would make me feel better. I close my eyes and stuff my phone under my pillow. I roll around a few times before coming to the conclusion that I would not be getting any more rest. I sigh and pull my phone out from underneath the pillow.

02:53am To Harry- I'm not going into work today. I don't feel too well and can't go back to sleep. Just thought I'd let you know.

I sigh and stare at the ceiling. A few minutes pass before I feel my eyes slowly start to droop again. Looks like I might be getting some more rest after all. I shut my eyes after deciding to schedule an appointment with a doctor as soon I wake up later.

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