I love him (L.S.)

Chapter 24

Third person

Their hug was rudely interrupted by Zayn clearing his throat.

"What the fuck is going on Lou? Why would you hug this sick bastard?" His voice filled with hatred.

"Z... You have to hear his side too..." Louis sounded tired, exhausted even.

"Louis, we need to get you away from him. You're falling right into his trap."

"Zayn, I know you're trying to protect me, but you're wrong about Harry. He's my boyfriend, and I know he would never hurt anyone, let alone a child."

Zayn's expression turns from determination to shock, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What? Louis, you can't be serious! You're dating him?"

Louis nods, his jaw set in defiance. "Yes, Zayn, I am. And I know Harry's heart. He's kind, caring, and would never do anything to harm someone. You need to stop this vendetta against him."

Louis took a deep breath. "I love him"

"Don't say that! He's manipulating you."

Zayn's face turned beet red with rage, eyes blazing with fury. "You're dating a fucking pedophile! Ho-"

"I'M TELLING YOU HE IS NOT! SHUT UP ZAYN! JUST FUCKING SHUT UP!" Louis' voice rose to a deafening level, echoing off the walls.

Zayn's words were cut off abruptly, his face stunned into silence. The room fell quiet, the only sound being the heavy breathing of the two brothers.

Louis's outburst was like a dam breaking, releasing all the pent-up frustration and anger he had been holding inside.

He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You need to listen to me, Zayn. You need to listen to Harry. You're so blinded by your own hatred and misconceptions that you can't see the truth."

Zayn's face slowly regained its composure, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I see the truth, Louis. And the truth is, you're defending a monster."

Louis's face twisted in anguish, his voice cracking with emotion. "He's not a monster, Zayn. He's the man I love."

"I have evidence Lou..." Zayn's heart breaking at the sight of louis. His own brother was not believing him. He was too far into Harry's trap.

Harry's voice was finally heard. "Let me hear it..."

Zayn played the audio and Harry had to admit the voice did sound like him.

Harry thought of something though. "Do you know who sent this to you?" Zayn shook his head, a little guilty.

Louis rolled his eyes while Harry dialled the number in his phone to give them a ring. It was weird that the person knew Zayn knew Harry.

Harry's expression changed from confusion to shock. "I know this number," he said, his voice low and serious. "It's saved in my contacts."

Louis and Zayn exchanged a curious glance. "Who is it?" Louis asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Harry's eyes locked onto the name attached to the number. "It's Emily. Emily Wilson."

Zayn's face scrunched up in thought. "Emily Wilson? I know her. We went to uni together. She was in our social circle."

Harry's mind raced with connections. "That's right. We all hung out together. But what would she have against me?"

Louis's eyes narrowed. "Maybe she's been holding a grudge all these years. Maybe she's been manipulating Zayn to get revenge."

"But I didn't do anything to her. We barely spoke"