the classroom - hs.

Chapter 10: Don't Let it Break Your Heart

Btw, this takes place right after chapter 8, before the end of chapter 9

-

-

Harry's POV: 3:00 PM

I was still sitting on the couch with my kids. Brooke hadn't come home since our argument. For a second, I wondered where she was, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I did know, however, that I didn't want the kids to be there when she came home.

We can't have them see us fighting.

I texted Niall.
Harry: Hey mate do you think the kids could spend the night at yours? I don't want them to be home when Brooke gets back.
Niall: Of course, bring them over whenever!
Harry: Thank you SO much Niall
Niall: No worries, let me know how everything goes.

I got up from the couch and turned off the TV. "Hey kids, you're going to have a sleepover with Uncle Niall and Aunt Mia!" I told them.

They got up excitedly and ran to go pack an overnight bag.

Good thing they like Niall.

Once I made sure the kids were all packed up, we walked to the car and I buckled them in. I drove to Niall's place, hoping Brooke wouldn't come home before I did.

I pulled into Niall's driveway, putting the car in park. I unbuckled the kids and helped them out. I grabbed their bags and we walked to the front door. I knocked on the door, just as I had done hours earlier. This time, Niall opened the door.

"Hi kids!" He said with a bright smile, but as our eyes met, he looked worried.

He led the kids and I inside, and closed the door behind me. The kids ran towards Amelia, giving her a big hug. Once the kids were out of earshot, Niall asked, "is everything alright?"

I smiled weakly and nodded. Half of me was trying to convince Niall but the other half was trying to convince myself.

"It will only be for the night, everything should be sorted out tomorrow," I explained.

Niall nodded and then suddenly, he pulled me in for a hug. As he squeezed me tightly, he whispered, "you'll be alright."

He really was a great friend.

My eyes started to tear up a little, thinking about everything that had happened in the past couple weeks. I hugged Niall back, patting him on the back.

"Thank you."

-

-

Time skip: 11:00 PM
It has been HOURS since I dropped the kids off. This time, I was actually concerned.

Where is Brooke??

Suddenly, the garage door clattered loudly, filling my stomach with both relief and dread. Brooke was back.

As I opened the door to the garage, I watched Brooke's car pull in. There was somebody in the passenger seat, but I couldn't tell who because of the dim lighting.

Who would she bring back here??

Brooke parked the car, and both her and the unknown figure opened the car door. They didn't seem to notice me, even though I was standing right in the doorway.

I was about to walk towards them As the person got out, I recognized him. It was Liam Payne.

LIAM PAYNE. OUR NEIGHBOR. What the hell is happening??

Liam walked over to Brooke, both of them clearly drunk. She smiled and kissed him on the lips. "Come on, Harry had a hissy fit and went to Niall's house. We'll have the whole place to ourselves," she said to Liam. She bit her lip, clearly trying to look sexy, but in her drunken state, she looked like she a bulldog with a severe underbite.

She's cheating on me. I knew it!

Brooke grabbed Liam's hand and stumbled towards the door to the house, the one I was standing at. As they approached, I cleared my throat. She looked up at me in surprise.

"W-what are you doing here?" She stuttered. "This isn't what it looks like, I swe-"

I cut her off. "Save it. I don't wanna hear it from you. I knew you were cheating. Ever since you stopped putting effort into our relationship." I turned to Liam. "So, Liam. Do you like turkey bacon?"

His shocked expression turned to one of confusion. "Huh?"

God he looks so stupid.

I just wanted to punch him.

I repeated my question. "Do you like turkey bacon?"

"Yeah, why?"

I looked at Brooke, fuming. "It would be one thing if you just slept with him. But you're cooking for him, going on dates with him??? Next thing I know you're in love with him!"

Brooke looked down in shame. "I am," she whispered.

I froze. "What?"

"I am."

Any remorse I felt for cheating went out the door. Apart from cheating, I had been the perfect husband to Brooke. I took care of the kids, I cooked for her, I took care of her, I gave her gifts. And what did she do for me? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And then, she cheated on me. She didn't even bother to be sneaky, it was so obvious. So in retaliation, I cheated too.

In hindsight, it was wrong to cheat. Obviously. But I was blinded by Brooke's betrayal.

I looked at Liam, shocked at what Brooke had said.

He smirked at me. I felt rage flood into my veins.

I momentarily lost control. I shoved Liam against the garage wall. "YOU KNEW WE WERE MARRIED. YOU JUST DIDN'T CARE." I was yelling at him now.

He looked up at me coldly. "If you don't remove those hands, there's a high likelihood you'll never use them again," he spat at me.

"You sound SO fucking dumb right now, you know that?" All I wanted to do was smack that stupid look off of his face. But I restrained myself. I stepped back and walked back into the house.

I packed a bag and returned to the garage. Brooke and Liam were gone.

Good.

I didn't even know where to go. So without thinking, I drove to Valerie's house.
-
thank you guys for reading! the face claim for Brooke is Florence Pugh!!!🫶🏻