where it ends || h.s. {COMPLETED}

Chapter 24

Maela's Point of view

My hands curl the ends of my towel into a small roll and I drop my hands, the towel staying in place around my torso. I walk over to my sink and begin to brush my teeth, my head alive with various thoughts.

I can hear the steady voice outside speaking to Arendia, his tone stiff and formal, as if he were having a meeting over the phone. I purse my lips together around my tooth brush and then let out a small sigh, relieved in the difference of his tone when talking to people. I wonder if Harry notices the way he changes, and I wonder if Arendia notices the kind of 'love' that he gives her.

It just makes me wonder, what is Harry planning here? Yeah, I know his declaration of love for me is real, and it should definitely be more than enough to get me through a lot of these ups and downs. But really, I could never jump over marriage. Technically I can't jump over his marriage with someone else, which makes everything a whole lot harder. How does someone have an affair and truly fall in love with them without seeming like a whore?

I really am a whore.. a slut, whatever. I did something that is sinful and unacceptable, but I can't take it back. But to live with the guilt will kill me I'm willing to fight to keep Harry.. because I'm not too sure I'll be able to fall for someone else ever again.

I let out a deep groan and spit out the toothpaste in my mouth. Desperately pushing away the thoughts that are bound to kill me if I don't let it go is something I'm trying to do. But I know just by Harry staying with Arendia any much longer will destroy me before I have the chance to fight.

I'm slowly inching into the black hole that's my thoughts when the door suddenly creaks open, my eyes darting over to look at him.

"Hey," he whispers gently and I give him a weak smile, thankful that he's here to distract me. He steps into the slightly foggy room and I realize that he has changed back into his clothes from last night, the material finally dry after putting it in the dryer. I raise an eyebrow.

"You're not going to shower?" I ask him and he frowns with a pinch of guilt in his eyes. That look is enough to have me on my toes, preparing for the worst.

He suddenly presses my back to his chest, nuzzling his face into my neck right before letting out a deep groan.

"No, I just got a call, they need me in the office right now," he murmurs and I feel a section of me feel a bitter sweet relief.

"So that wasn't Arendia?" I ask, biting my lip with hopeful eyes.

He raises his face to look at me through the mirror and he seems to make a pained expression as he shakes his head, my heart falling.

"She called before the office," he whispers and I feel my chest begin to heave at a faster pace. My teeth could split my bottom lip, but I stop myself from doing so.

"Oh," I squeak, avoiding his eye contact but he doesn't let me get far, this time turning me around, my chest pressing against his. "W-what did she say?"

"She asked me where I was," he shrugs and I sense that that's not all of it.

"And?" I push for him to continue, although I have no idea why I would want that.

"And I told her I was at the office, getting stuff off my mind," he says, "listen, that really just isn't what she called me for.. she.." he trails, my eyes drilling into his.

"What? What else?" I press and he sighs, running his thumb across my cheek.

"She wants to see you," he drops on me, and if I couldn't have more anxiety in my body, I feel like my entirety is going to explode in mere seconds.