The state I'm in COMPLETED

in the way

The two Panadol pills I took that morning finally started working, and I was beyond grateful. Rose and I had to go to the university to register for the new semester. If we put it off any longer, we'd be stuck with the leftover classes no one wanted—the ones with the dullest professors who gave zero feedback, guidance, or advice.

Rose sat across from me at the kitchen table, still stunned by what I had revealed earlier. She couldn't wrap her head around how people like Helena and her family thought or operated. Meanwhile, Harry was still fast asleep, his soft snores filling the apartment. I tried to move quietly, not wanting to wake him. Waking him up would mean talking about the previous night, and I wasn't ready for that—not yet.

"So... what are you going to do?" Rose whispered, her brows knitted in concern.

"What do you mean? What can I do?" I replied, stirring my coffee absentmindedly.

"I mean, this is fucking insane! Are you considering breaking up with him? I think you should at least think about it..." she said hesitantly.

"Rose, that's not an option." My voice was firm, unwavering. "I'm not going to let them dictate my life. And besides, if I ended things with him, would that magically fix everything? Would it mean he'd suddenly want to be with Nadia and be a happy little family? If that were the case, I'd end it right now. I wouldn't hesitate. But that's not what's happening. They were never a real couple, Rose. You can't force someone to be with you. And now that I know what they're capable of, I definitely don't want Harry trapped in a family like that. The only thing that really bothers me is..." I sighed, shaking my head. "His child is going to grow up around them. That just gives me the chills."

Rose exhaled deeply, watching me closely. "I was just checking to see if you were serious about him, that's all." A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "Besides, he must be really great in bed—all that muscle, those abs... they can't go to waste."

I nearly choked on my coffee. "Shut up!" I laughed, shaking my head.

"Just saying," she smirked. "Now hurry up and finish your coffee, Mother Theresa. We need to get going."

"Yes, ma'am."

As we grabbed our bags, she threw me another knowing look. "By the way... have you talked to your parents about Harry and his situation yet?"

I froze for a fraction of a second before sighing. "Nope."

"I see... Don't you think you should? With everything going on, they deserve to know. Your parents know people, Val. They can protect you. You're not alone in this. At least tell your brothers..."

I groaned. "Leo knows. He's basically my brother, and he's got my back. I'll tell my parents soon, I promise. So, get off my case, will you?"

Rose raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Leo is not your brother. The two of you, alone on a deserted island, would make beautiful, healthy babies. Don't even try to use the 'best friend' card. That doesn't exist between a guy and a girl. Someone always wants more at some point, but they're too scared to act on it—or too stupid to see it."

I gawked at her, laughing. "Are you insane? Leo has never seen me that way, and I've never seen him that way either! Where is this coming from?"

She shrugged. "I'm just saying..."

"Let's go before you say anything even dumber."