Underneath My Skin

Ch. 36

The most damaging aspect of abuse is the trauma to your heart and soul from being betrayed by the person you love and trust.

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When you cheat on the person you love, you must be heartless. How could you possibly go behind your spouses back and sleep with their best friend?

It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about Niall and Abigail sneaking around behind Harry's back.

"Oh my God it is you," I whisper under my breath.

Niall is standing stock still with wide remorseful eyes. His face is pale and his fists are clenched tightly at his side.

"Do you see why I was so persistent?" Abigail says .

I look over at her and she looks , scared. Why does she look scared?

"Do you see why Harry has to know?" Abigail asks, her voice is laced with guilt.

I look over at Niall . A lump forms in my throat.

"You know you have to tell him," My voice cracks.

Niall shakes his head. "I can't," he says harshly.

My chest tightens. "You have to!" I snap.

"Briella, you don't understand!" he yells.

I scoff. "Then enlighten me!"

He runs his fingers through his hair and tugs hard.

"I loved her first!" he exclaims.

I roll my eyes. I can feel my stomach twisting in knots. How could he? I've lost all respect for him.

"We had a few classes together in university. That's how we met. Then we started studying together and hanging out and I fell in love with her!" his voice grows hoarse and I can hear the lump in his throat.

"She didn't feel the same, but I didn't care. I thought she was amazing and I couldn't let her go."

He sighs and tugs at his hair. "I introduced her to the lads and ofcourse she liked Harry. Everyone always fucking likes either Harry or Zayn or Liam or Louis. But when it comes to me, I'm fucking hopeless.

"Her and Harry started hanging out, then next thing I know they're together. He didn't even ask me if I liked her Ri! He just jumped straight into the relationship. I was so mad. I became an alcoholic. Alcohol was the only thing there for me.

"One night I drank so much that I went into a fucking coma. Abigail felt bad for me so she stayed by my side. When I got out of the hospital, she slept with me. I thought I was over her, but I wasn't. I still loved her and I begged her to break up with Harry, but she stayed with him.

"She picked him over me again! She told him that she cheated but she never said who it was with and he stayed with her. I eventually got over her, at least until I heard that they were getting fucking married.

"As soon as Harry told me I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I told Abigail I hated her and I wanted nothing to do with her but she looked at me with those big blue eyes and begged me to go to the wedding, so I did.

"They went off on their honeymoon and when they got back, Abigail came to visit me and we had sex."

I gasp and he frowns. I want to throw something at him but he starts talking again.

"We assured each other that that was the last time, but it clearly wasn't. Her friend passed away and she came to me for comfort. She said Harry didn't give a shit about her or her feelings so I showed her that I cared about her and her feelings.