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

Chapter 30

Maela's Point of view

"Excuse me?" I scoff, making his face fall.

"No- I didn't mean to offend you I just.. he's married, it just slipped," Niall retaliates, and I try to believe him, but his words hit me hard. It's like another way that my head is telling me the facts that I don't wanna hear. Warning me to not fall for Harry's captivating demeanor.

But my heart speaks so much louder than my head and it's telling me to be patient, as if Harry really is coming to change everything. It's hard to believe, but my heart is the last thing that's trying to hold on. I just don't want to disagree with the one thing that made me fall in love in the first place.

"Sure, you must think of me terribly huh.." I murmur, my heart flattening.

"Maela that's not what I meant-" he starts but I shake my head.

"I hate myself anyways Niall, I have so many regrets and I can't take anything back."

"You really don't like listening in a conversation huh? Because everything I've tried to say just dispersed through the other ear," Niall groans, rolling his eyes. I actually do the opposite of what he said, and let the words lace into my thoughts. He's right obviously. I've done the same thing to Harry, especially by leaving, but I stand by my statement in saying I've so many regrets. "If you wanna listen, then know that I'm not judging you for falling in love with a married and wealthy-as-fuck man," Niall states and I nearly gleam at him in hope.

"It's not about the money," I press in. Niall nods, lacing his fingers together. "And don't ask me the same stupid question, 'would you love him if he didn't have money?' Because I know that money doesn't define him- but in a way it does. It's what makes him a cocky, demanding, and a critical CEO. Those things may be a good or a bad thing, but he's managed to prove to me that he can be date-able. He can cuddle, he can be a dork. He can actually act his age and he can love. I mean.. he told me he loved me. I'm not a gold digger, but his success makes his qualities, so if he were poor I wouldn't have met the cocky side of him that I actually do like once in a while.." I trail off, pinching my eyes shut in frustration.

That was too long, it dragged on all about Harry and I can feel tears in my eyes as the memories flood every inch of me. Stupid Niall, bringing this up again. It's hurting, he's starting to hurt me even if he doesn't realize it.

I pinch my eyes closed once again, rubbing my temples. Shadow climbs onto my lap and nudges his face into my thigh, my heart clenching. I pat his still moist fur and look down at the ground.

I can't help it when my lips form words faster than my heart pumps blood.

"It's just that he's married.. I've done the worst in having an affair, but that woman-"

"Arendia," Niall chimes and I blink.

"Arendia and her mother have been the wall to getting to him.. It's completely understandable, but the way they do it, and the way they laid it on me was so awful. That's just why I left. Arendia.. the night I left was because of her and Harry too of course, but Arendia pushed everything too far. I guess looking back on it now, she pushed Harry into something that he wasn't ready for. He prepared me for his lies but he didn't get me ready for her words. But either way he said something that just blew my mind away and I just.." I'm rambling now, my head is swinging back and forth with so many mixed emotions and I nearly feel like I'm going to explode.

Niall suddenly wraps his arms around me, and even if he's practically a stranger I just feel like I know him enough to accept this gesture. I lean into him and press my face into his chest, silently letting the tears fall as I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I shut my eyes for a moment and recollect myself as best as I can, pulling away from Harry- Niall oh my god, I mean Niall.