Chapter 7 - Realization

4 0 0
                                    

Serena's POV

As the last of the band members filed out of the café, I stood behind the counter, watching them go. My breath hitched in my chest when Draco turned back to look at me one last time, his face still full of that lingering sorrow, but I refused to let myself react. He was gone, and now it was over. Just like it had been the last time.

I heard the door close behind them, and the sound seemed to echo through the emptiness of the café. I felt my legs weaken, the strain of the evening catching up to me all at once. The minute the door clicked shut, I found myself unable to hold it together anymore. I slid down the wall behind the counter, the tears coming faster than I could stop them.

I knew it would be hard. I had prepared myself for the pain, for the awkwardness of seeing him again, for the old feelings creeping up. But this... this was a thousand times worse than I ever imagined. The love I thought I had buried so deeply, the anger, the heartbreak—it all came rushing back.

I wanted to scream, to break something. I wanted to run away from this mess of emotions. But all I could do was cry. The woman who had built herself up, who had become stronger over the years, was crumbling under the weight of it all.

I wiped my tears, taking a shaky breath as I whispered to myself, trying to pull myself together, trying to hold onto the strength I had fought so hard to build.

"I am strong. I will not break. I will not yield. I am not afraid."

The words felt hollow as they left my lips, but I kept repeating them. I had to. For me. For Winnie. I was not going to let myself fall apart over him again.

I grabbed my things, forcing myself to stand, to move. I had to go. I had to be okay. I didn't have the luxury of falling apart—not when my daughter needed me.

I got in the car and drove, the cool night air rushing through the open window as I tried to clear my head. My heart still ached from the encounter, and I hated that it did. The memory of Draco's eyes, full of regret, stayed with me, and it hurt more than I could put into words. But I wouldn't let it break me. Not again.

I arrived at Hermione's house, thankful for her constant support. Before I even made it up the steps, she was opening the door, holding her phone out in front of me.

"They posted you on Insta," she said, her eyes already scanning my face for signs of distress.

I took the phone from her, glancing at the picture she had shown me. The band was all smiles in front of the café, clearly enjoying themselves. The caption read, "Thank you everyone for coming to our meet and greet at this wonderful café. Thank you Amortentia and Serena for hosting us! Lots of love - Pansy, Theo, Blaise, and Draco x."

The words felt like a knife to the chest. I smiled softly, though it was strained. It was a sweet message. They were all grateful. But Draco's name, his presence in the post, made everything feel more real than I was ready for.

"Look at all the comments," Hermione said softly, her hand on my shoulder. She noticed the way my eyes were red-rimmed, the tear tracks still visible on my face. "You did a good job. You got through it."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I could feel the pressure behind my eyes again, threatening to spill over. But I kept it in, pulling myself together for just a little longer.

"I'm proud of you, you know that?" Hermione said, her voice thick with emotion. I nodded again, not trusting myself to speak.

"I just need to see Winnie," I whispered, needing to focus on something else, something that had nothing to do with Draco. I made my way to the kids' room, where I knew Winnie would be, and opened the door quietly.

Winnie - D.MWhere stories live. Discover now