The state I'm in COMPLETED

Thunder

On seeing her, I paled, immediately realizing who she was and that nothing remotely positive would result from this visit. At the same time, I was extremely curious about what she had to say. I had to listen and get it over with, but I surely wouldn't make it easy on her either.

"Can I help you?" I asked coldly.

"As a matter of fact, you can," she replied boldly, stepping forward. "Can I come in?"

I hesitated for a second before stepping aside. "Yeah, of course," I answered, my manners not allowing me to deny her, even though I wanted to.

She walked into the living room without a glance around, not even taking in her surroundings. She wasn't here to observe. She was here on a mission, and she was getting straight to it.

"Who are you?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

She smirked. "Sweetie, you know exactly who I am, just as I know exactly who you are."

I sighed, deciding to play along. "Have a seat."

"No, that won't be necessary," she replied unemotionally. "I'll get straight to the point." Her fingers rubbed together anxiously, the only sign of tension she was allowing herself to show. "I know that you and Harry are dating."

I crossed my arms. "I don't see how—"

"Just let me finish, please," she interrupted rudely.

I pressed my lips together, letting her continue, more out of curiosity than anything else.

"Do you know that he's married? That he has a baby on the way?" she asked, eyes burning into mine, watching my reaction carefully.

I didn't flinch. "Yes, I do."

Her lips curled into a cruel smile. "Then you're even stupider than I thought." She looked down at her hands before bringing her gaze back up, her voice cutting like a knife.

I clenched my jaw. "Excuse me? I know exactly how he got married and why. I know he was forced into it." My voice was sharp, defensive—for myself, for Harry. "And how dare you come into my home and—What do you want from me? To leave him?"

"That is precisely what I want you to do," she stated plainly, as if she were asking me to pass the salt at dinner. "If you know what's good for you, you will ask him to leave you alone and go back to his family where he belongs."

I scoffed. "His family?"

"My sister is having his baby in a few days, and her life is hell because of him. Meanwhile, he's out playing house with some college girl who has zero brains. Do you think that's fair?" she sneered.

"I don't have to justify myself to you." I kept my tone steady, refusing to let her get under my skin.

"I suggest you leave now."

She took a step closer. "I don't think you understand me, Valerie. Leave him, or there will be consequences."

I narrowed my eyes. "Don't you think it's up to him to decide what he wants?"

"He's confused right now. You're confusing him," she snapped.

As if by divine providence, I heard the ding of the elevator reaching my floor, followed by footsteps and the rustling of plastic grocery bags.