Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Front Page

Fred had never been much of a morning person, but he always made an exception for the Daily Prophet. A habit, really. Something to skim through before opening the shop, checking the Quidditch scores, and ignoring whatever nonsense Rita Skeeter had managed to stir up.

But that morning, the moment he unfolded the newspaper, his stomach twisted.

Because there, on the front page, was Adhara.

A UNION OF POWER: MALFOY HEIRESS AND BORDEAUX'S FINEST—A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES!

The headline practically screamed at him.

Fred's grip on the paper tightened as his eyes scanned the article.

There was a picture—a perfectly timed shot of Adhara and him.

Laughing.

Looking at each other like they had the whole world at their feet.

Like they were happy.

The words blurred together as Fred forced himself to read.

After years of keeping their courtship private, Adhara Malfoy and Max Laurent have finally announced their engagement. Sources close to the families say the couple has been deeply in love for quite some time, their bond strengthened by their shared values, status, and—if these exclusive photos tell us anything—genuine affection. The pair were spotted just last evening, looking as blissful as ever, enjoying a private dinner that has left many swooning over their undeniable chemistry. With both families expressing their full support, wedding preparations are said to be already underway. The future looks bright for this perfect couple!

Perfect.

Fred scoffed, slamming the newspaper down on the counter.

"Bloody hell," George muttered from beside him, peering over his shoulder. "Didn't see that coming."

Neither had Fred.

And judging by the way his heart was pounding, he wasn't taking it well.

He could barely think.

All he could see was that picture—her smile, the way she leaned into Max, like he was the only man in the world.

Hadn't she just stood in front of him days ago?

Hadn't she looked like she was about to break when she saw the house?

And now she was off in Bordeaux, acting like none of it had mattered?

Fred clenched his jaw as he stared down at the photograph. The way Adhara's hand rested so naturally on Max's arm, the way she tilted her head towards him as she laughed—it all looked too real.

"Fred," George said cautiously, watching him.

Fred pushed himself off the counter abruptly. "I've got things to do."

George frowned. "Come on, mate. You're not actually gonna pretend this doesn't bother you?"

Fred let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, it bothers me, all right." He grabbed the newspaper and held it up. "What bothers me is that this whole thing looks like the bloody romance of the century."

"You think it's fake?"

Fred scoffed. "I know it is."

George hesitated. "But... what if it isn't?"

Fred had known the moment he saw the headline.

The Daily Prophet was full of embellishments, but this? This was deliberate. Carefully constructed. A piece of theater meant to sell a fantasy.

He wasn't stupid.

He knew a staged photo when he saw one.

Yet, knowing the truth didn't make it any easier to stomach.

"Alright, so," George said, leaning against the counter, watching Fred with an unreadable expression. "You gonna do something about it? Or just stand there glaring at the paper like it personally insulted you?"

Fred didn't respond.

He couldn't.

Because the picture wouldn't leave his head.

Adhara's hand on Max Laurent's arm, the tilt of her head as she laughed, the way they looked like they belonged together.

It was an illusion. A carefully crafted lie.

But the rest of the world didn't know that.

And for a moment—for just one horrible moment—Fred let himself wonder: What if she wanted it to be real?

What if she had simply given in?

Would it really be so impossible? Max was everything the Malfoys could want—wealthier than even Lucius, pure-blooded, Slytherin through and through. He fit into their world seamlessly, without the need for hiding, for whispered arguments, for broken promises and stolen moments.

Fred exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "She didn't even try to fight it."

George frowned. "How do you know?"

Fred let out a dry laugh, tapping the paper. "Because if she had, this wouldn't exist. You think she's incapable of standing up for herself? She's Adhara Malfoy." His voice tightened. "But she's not fighting, is she?"

George hesitated before speaking. "Maybe because she doesn't think there's anything left to fight for."

Fred's jaw clenched. "That's not true."

"Isn't it?"

Fred inhaled sharply, forcing himself to look away from the article. The weight in his chest grew heavier by the second.

This wasn't just some story to sell papers.

This was a statement.

It was Lucius Malfoy tightening his grip. It was the world being told, in no uncertain terms, that Adhara Malfoy belonged to someone else.

And Fred?

Fred was just another part of her past. A mistake to be erased.

The thought made his stomach twist.

George studied him for a long moment before sighing. "So what are you gonna do?"

Fred swallowed, forcing himself to shove the paper aside. "Nothing."

George raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"

Fred exhaled sharply. "She made her choice, George." His voice was quieter now, almost resigned. "And if she wants me to fight for her, she has to give me a reason."

Because for years, it had always been him.

He had been the one waiting. The one building a future. The one left standing with nothing but a broken promise and an empty house.

And he couldn't do it again.

Not unless she wanted him to.

Not unless she gave him something to hold on to.

And until then?

Until then, he had to let her go.