Misery

Chapter 11

Harry's POV:

Who does that insolent girl think she is? Rejecting me like some filthy swine when she just as easily messes around with the help. She has the nerve to call me a monster when I have tried to be a better man. How blind is that girl? I mean, what else could I have done? I gave her the second best room in the manor, endless clothes, I feed her till she can't eat anymore, and the library, then I was generous enough to let her decide if she even wanted to attend Sunday, but such insolence! I groaned to myself before I made my way into the surveillance room, just to see if Zayn was in there. I knew if he was, Zayn wouldn't last five minutes if he thought he would take Eden's attention again.

I sat down in the front chair, looking about at all the screens, trying to find Eden's room. Low and behold, there she was, still against the bedpost where I left her. At that moment, all I could think about was that small moment, when I thought she wanted to kiss me back. That small look in her eye that maybe, just maybe, there was a curiosity for me, even though she was sneaking with Zayn.

"Right now... I'm just Harry." How I regret those words.

I sighed, unsure why she turned her head from me. I wasn't being cruel and I never hurt her in any way, so what more could've been done? She can kiss and sneak around with a servant but not the man who gave her better living. I watched her as she slowly went down the bedpost, then she sat on the floor. Wait... was she crying?

"What?" I mumbled confused, watching her starting to sob. I have never seen her cry since I brought her to the basement, and now suddenly she is weeping? I had to admit, seeing her just break down like that kind of... struck a nerve. But you have to get ahold of yourself, Styles. You don't grow soft over some weeping girl. I shook my head a little to snap out of it before she then laid on the floor, but now I couldn't see her face.

Her back faced me but her sobs were still just as easy to hear. The pale yellow skirt on her dress draped perfectly on her legs as she lay, her dark hair sprawled out in the most delicate way against the carpet. Even in mourning, she was beautiful. I watched her stay motionless for a few moments, then I saw her head rise up slowly, then she turned to look at the camera... she was looking at me? Did she know I was watching?

"I hate you, Harry." She said with a broken voice.

And in hearing that, my heart, or what was left of it was shattered. She hated me? She hated me. By definition, she detests me. She dislikes me to the point of hostility and aversion. For a moment... it was like the oxygen in my current breath kind of got kicked out of me, and I forgot how to breathe. Eden hated me, called me a monster... I suppose that was an eye opening to me.

Who was I, to think that I could help her and save myself? I wasn't really ever worth saving, and I knew that I was never a good man. So why, even in a small moment would I think that some young, petty girl would save me from the demons of my own being? I had no absolution, and I'm unsure why I thought I had a chance. I took a slow breath to take in what I heard, just to take in the reality.

Two Weeks Ago:

"Styles, please. You and I both know that he will always be looking for me." Neal said, barely even touching his scotch. "I can't get into any more trouble than I'm in now, and I just need your help, colleague to colleague." He looked nervous, even desperate, which explains why he came to me of all people.

"And explain to me why I should even bring her into my house? You really think that this will save yourself? So she won't see what you've been doing when you claim you're working late?" I said monotone, the tip of my finger tapping against the rim of my glass of whiskey.

He must've known that this was a long shot, for me to bring in some child into my home, just so she would be protected from his bad habits.

"Harry, you know I don't like what I've done, but I can't protect her anymore, and I know your home is safe. A-And you told me, three years ago when I showed you the ropes of business, you told me that you owed me a favor. This is it." He said, looking desperate at me.