The state I'm in COMPLETED

Encounters

As soon as Harry spotted us, I saw it—the flicker of disappointment, the shadow of something unspoken darkening his jade-green eyes. He cradled Antony protectively, but his expression was laced with something far less tender. The moment Antony recognized me, his tiny hands stretched toward me, giggling, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing between the adults in his life.

Leo stood up quickly, offering me a hand, and I took it without thinking.

"Hey...how are you?" I asked softly, unsure of what else to say.

"We're good," Pete answered flatly.

Harry, however, didn't hold back. His voice was razor-sharp, his words soaked in bitterness.

"Obviously not having as good a time as the lot of you... and to think that I—" He stopped himself, pressing his lips into a tight line.

"Hi, guys!" Rose reappeared, a grin stretched across her flushed face, still breathless from all the running. She had no idea she'd just walked into a war zone.

For a moment, nobody spoke. We just stood there, a tangled mess of unfinished sentences and silent accusations, awkwardness thick in the air.

"Look how much he's grown, Val. He's reaching for you," Rose said, nudging me toward Antony.

Hesitantly, I took a step forward, searching Harry's expression for approval. He gave a subtle nod, and I carefully took Antony into my arms.

"Hey, baby. I missed you so much... Did you miss me, too?" I cooed, tickling his belly, my heart swelling as he giggled.

His tiny fingers grasped my cheeks, exploring my face with unfiltered curiosity, his laughter pure and infectious. Even Harry smiled at the sight, his dimples surfacing, momentarily softening the tension between us.

"Hey, baby, want to play? You're the sweetest thing, aren't you? I love you so much. You know that, right?" My voice cracked slightly as I held Antony close, inhaling his baby scent, memorizing him like I was afraid this would be the last time.

And then Pete's voice cut through the moment.

"Mate, we need to go."

Harry's smile vanished instantly.

"Yeah... I need to get back."

Reality slammed back into me. I forced myself to smile as I reluctantly handed Antony back, my fingers brushing against Harry's as I passed him over.

The contact sent a jolt through me, a sharp reminder of what we used to be. His gaze locked onto mine, searching, questioning, aching.

But then, just as my heart clenched, she appeared.

Helena.

The realization hit me instantly—this was why Pete had been tense. This was why Harry suddenly wanted to leave.

Helena strutted toward us, her presence like nails on a chalkboard.

"Look what the cat dragged in," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

I smiled sweetly, refusing to back down. "Clearly, a stinky rat."

Harry shot me a pleading glance, silently begging me to let it go. But I couldn't. Not this time.

"You never learn, do you?" Helena spat, folding her arms across her chest.

Leo, finally catching up to what was happening, stepped forward, his grip tightening on my hand. Harry stiffened.