Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Consequences

Adhara returned to Draco's flat, her mind a tangled web of emotions she couldn't quite sort out. The encounter with Fred had left her raw, her composure barely holding together as she stepped inside. Emma, perceptive as always, caught the look on Adhara's face and offered a knowing smile before excusing herself for the evening without asking any questions.

"You're back early," Draco's voice called out from the living room, where he was lounging with the Daily Prophet in hand.

Adhara kicked off her shoes and walked toward the kitchen, her steps slow and heavy. "Is that a problem?" she shot back, her voice lacking its usual bite as she reached for a glass.

Draco glanced up briefly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Not really. Just thought I'd have to drag your drunk self back here tonight, as usual."

"Not in the mood," she muttered, filling the glass with water and staring at it as though it held answers.

Draco set the newspaper aside and leaned back in his chair, watching her closely. "How was your day?" he asked casually, though the undertone of curiosity didn't escape her.

Adhara hesitated, her fingers tightening around the glass. "It was fine," she replied, her tone flat. "How about yours?"

Draco shrugged, flipping a page in the paper. "Average, as usual. Nothing exciting."

She turned away, raising the glass to her lips but stopping short. Fred's face flashed in her mind again—those familiar eyes that had seen right through her, the weight of his gaze lingering long after she'd walked away.

Draco noticed her stillness and lowered the newspaper slightly. "What's on your mind, Adhara?"

She remained silent for a moment, debating whether to bring it up. Finally, she set the glass down on the counter and asked softly, "How is Fred doing?"

Draco's brow lifted slightly in surprise, but he recovered quickly, leaning forward with a knowing look. "I was wondering when you'd ask about him," he said, his tone neutral but sharp. "You still love him, don't you?"

Adhara's jaw tightened, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she met his gaze and said, "How is he?"

Draco sighed, leaning back again. "Weasley's doing well, from what I hear. Lives near the shop now, close to work."

Adhara's heart twinged at the thought of him living so near the place that had always been his dream. "That's good," she said softly, her voice tinged with something Draco couldn't quite place.

"And then there's the house," Draco added almost offhandedly, though his eyes were watching her carefully.

"The house?" she asked, her brows furrowing.

Draco nodded. "Built it a few years back. Big place, from what I've heard. But he doesn't live there anymore."

Adhara's confusion deepened. "Why not?"

Draco shrugged, his tone casual but pointed. "No idea. Heard it's been listed for sale a few times, but every time someone's about to buy it, he pulls it off the market. My friend even tried to make an offer, and Weasley backed out last minute. Bonkers, really."

"Odd," she murmured, her voice barely audible. Adhara realized it might be the same house she had seen in the photos at the joke shop. It was beautiful, the kind of place anyone would dream of calling home. That's why she couldn't understand why Fred wouldn't want to live there.

Draco tilted his head, his gaze scrutinizing her. "There's one more thing."

Adhara's stomach clenched. "What?"

"You wouldn't want to hear it," he said simply, though his tone suggested otherwise.

"Draco," she pressed, her voice low but firm. "What is it?"

He hesitated, as though weighing the consequences of telling her. Finally, he sighed. "Weasley's dating someone."

The words landed like a physical blow. Adhara froze, the glass of water halfway to her lips before she placed it back on the counter. Her throat tightened, and her chest felt like it was caving in.

"I see," she said after a long pause, her voice carefully controlled. "That's... nice. I'm happy for him."

Draco's eyes softened, his usual sharpness replaced by a rare note of concern. "Adhara—"

"It's fine," she cut him off, her tone brittle but insistent. "I'm fine."

She grabbed the glass and took a long sip, using it as a shield against the tears threatening to spill over.

Draco sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know. It's not like I can't see right through you."

She ignored him, setting the glass down and straightening her posture. "I've had a long day," she said, her voice tight. "I think I'm going to rest for a bit."

Draco leaned back, his gaze following her as she turned to leave. "I'll be here," he said softly, his usual sarcasm absent.

Adhara managed a weak smile in return before retreating to her room.

Once inside, the door shut firmly behind her, her composure crumbled. She sank onto the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she buried her face in them. The weight of everything—Fred, the house, the woman he was seeing—pressed down on her until she could barely breathe.

Her gaze fell to the promise ring still wrapped around her finger, the one she hadn't been able to take off all these years. It was a symbol of a love she had tried to leave behind, but it clung to her like a ghost, refusing to be forgotten.

Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the ring to her chest, her sobs shaking her small frame. She had told herself that walking away had been the right thing to do, that leaving Fred would spare him the chaos of her life. But now, faced with the reality of him moving on, she wondered if she had only made things worse for them both.

Adhara lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as the tears continued to fall. The memories of Fred—his laughter, his warmth, the way he had always seen her for who she truly was—played in her mind like a cruel, beautiful melody.

She had wanted him to be happy, to build a life that wasn't burdened by her struggles. But now, as she lay alone in the dark, she realized that his happiness came at a cost she hadn't been prepared to pay.

For the first time in years, Adhara allowed herself to fully confront the truth she had been running from. She still loved Fred Weasley. And no matter how hard she tried to move on, that love would remain a part of her, etched into her soul like a scar that would never fully heal.