Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 45

 Harry

I paced around the hotel room unsure if this was a good idea anymore. I looked down at the blue suit I wore, guilt immediately washing over me. I turned to my fiancé, wanting to make sure what we were doing was right before actually going through with it. "Are you sure about this Priscilla?"

"I'm sure babe. Why are you backing down all of a sudden? Just last week you were all in. You love me don't you?"

"I do."

"Then please, do it for me." I took a deep breath in and exhaled out before giving her a nod. "Wait for me here. I have something I need to go do first then we'll be on our way. Please be patient and wait for me. I'll be back."

"I'll still be here whenever you get back Harry, I promise. I'm not going anywhere without you."

I quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back soon. I love you." then ushered out of the hotel to my car. I held a tight grip on the steering wheel as I drove down the familiar street. I slowed down the car as I came across her house, eventually parking in the driveway. I sat in the car, staring at the door of the house. My stomach was churning in itself and my heart beating rapidly at the nerves. I didn't want to do this, but it was the right thing to do.

I reached over into the glove compartment, retrieving the envelope then got out the car, making my way to the front door. I rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to answer, but unsure if anyone will since everyone was probably already at the wedding venue.

To my surprise the door clicked open. I came face to face with Aurora's mother. "Harry, what are you doing here? You should be at the venue getting ready to walk down the isle."

"May I come in please?" She looked at me suspiciously before letting me inside.

"Is there a problem?" She asks.

I shook my head no. "I just need to get into Aurora's room if that is okay. I wanted to leave her this." I showed her the envelope.

"What's in it?"

"It's for Aurora."

She reached inside her pocket, retrieving a chain of keys. "Here's the key to her room. Be quick." I simply nodded, taking the key from her then making my way to the bedroom.

Entering the room I was surprised to see the mess of clothes, perfumes, makeup, shoes and bags thrown everywhere. I carefully stepped over everything until I made it to the bed.

I sat down on the bed, carefully looking around the familiar room. Flashbacks of the nights and days spent in here rummaged my mind. I leaned back on the bed frame, letting out an exasperated sigh. I can't do this to her.

She's helped me through so much mental pain and this just isn't the way to repay her.

I shifted around on the bed, the feeling of something hard poking at my back causing me discomfort. I reached under me, grabbing at the mysterious object. It was a photo album of some sort. I opened the book to a random page that showed a picture of Aurora and Odyssey. I flipped the page, coming across a photo of Aurora and a man.

I sat up, carefully studying the picture. She rode on his back with a tight grip around his chest and a wide smile overtaking her features. I flipped to another page only to be met with another picture of the two. This time outdoors, standing by a candle lit table. He was on one knee.

He must be the guy who gave her the ring. The one she can't let go of.

I closed the book, no longer wanting to invade her privacy. I placed the envelope on top of her pillow before leaving the bedroom.

I was once again met with Aurora's mother once I got downstairs. She walked over to me as I got down the last step, "All set?"

"Yes ma'am. Thankyou. I'll get going now."

"Harry." I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face her. "Yes ma'am?"

"Don't do anything stupid that is going to hurt my daughter. I'll be expecting to see you at the wedding venue in an hour."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Hall, but I don't think I'll be at the venue. I can't go through with this marriage. It's not fair to Aurora and it's not fair to me. I'm sorry to do this."

She took a step closer to me, but I stood my ground. I have to. "You know before all of this, before the engagement and before she met you, Aurora was in a dark place. Four months prior she lost the love of her life Elijah. They had been together for a few years. He was her first boyfriend, her first love. They were engaged to marry, but life as we know can take turns and her life took a big turn when Elijah passed. She fell into depression, she had taken therapy even, but that didn't seem to help much. She never wanted to talk about it with anyone. She bottled her feelings up and hid away from the real world. But then you came along. Because you were in somewhat of a similar state as Aurora was, your mother and I came to agreement that the two of you could help each other get past these difficult times in your life and help see that there is more to life. These past few months with you Aurora has been the happiest she's ever been since Elijah. And that was all thanks to you. You made her see that there is more to life and you helped her through her stage of grief. I can't thank you enough for that because I believe if it wasn't for you, she would still be in that dark place and she would try to do something she would regret. I watched Aurora fall in love for the first time with Elijah. Then I watched her fall in love all over again with you. You can't leave her now. She's in too deep and you trying to pull the rug out from under her will only bring her back ten steps from where we started."

"I'm sorry again. But I can't marry your daughter. Staying with her will only hurt her more than leaving. I need to let her go in order for me to do what is best for not only me but her as well. Marrying Aurora now will make me unhappy in the long run. I appreciate all that she did for me , but she isn't the person I am in love with. I know I should have done this sooner and I'm sorry for that, but I have to go now."

She grabbed my arm as I tried to walk out of the door. "Just show up at the venue. Just for an hour even, Aurora needs to see you. Please Harry. Once she speaks with you then you can leave if that is what you really want to do but please do not leave without having a talk with her."

"I'll be there."

•••

•••