Chapter 16
I’m standing by the kitchen counter, sipping on my coffee when I hear the knock at the door. I don’t even need to check the peephole. I know exactly who it is. My heart sinks a little, and I hesitate for a moment before walking over and opening the door.
There he is–Brandon, standing in front of me with that familiar look in his eyes. It’s the one that always makes me feel like I’m the center of his universe, even when I don’t want to be
“Aria,” he says, his voice soft but serious. “Can we talk?”
Icross my arms and lean against the doorframe, trying to keep my distance.
“We’ve talked enough, Brandon. What do you want?”
He shifts uncomfortably, looking down for a second before meeting my eyes again. “I know things have been… complicated.
But I wanted to help. I’ve. I’ve gotten you a new apartment. Since your place is gone, I thought this might be a way to make things right.”
He holds out a set of keys, and I just stare at them for a moment, the weight of the gesture sinking in.
But all I feel is frustration, not gratitude.
“Brandon, I told you, I don’t need your help. I don’t need anything from you.”
His face talls, but he presses on, the desperation in his voice barely hidden. “Aria,
I just… I don’t want you to feel alone. I want to fix this. I know I messed up, but I can’t stand the thought of you struggling because of me.”
I can feel my anger rising, and I force myself to take a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
“You can’t fix this, Brandon. You can’t fix everything with your money or your big gestures. I don’t want your damn apartment. I want you to leave me alone.”
His shoulders sag, and for a moment, I almost feel sorry for him. But then I remember everything he’s put me through.
I remember the lies, the betrayal, and how everything just unraveled.
“Aria, please. I’m trying, okay? I just want to make it right.”
I shake my head, my voice colder now.
“Stop. Just stop. You don’t get to come in here like nothing happened and act like you can fix everything. You can’t.”
He stares at me for a long moment, clearly hurt, but then he nods, his expression hardening.
“Fine. If that’s how you feel, I won’t push it.”
Before I can respond, I hear the sound of footsteps behind me. Harry. Of course, he’s here now, walking into the living room like he owns the place. “What the hell is going on here?” Harry’s voice is low, but I can hear the edge in it.
I glance at him, and then back at Brandon. “He’s just leaving.”
Brandon looks at Harry, his jaw tightening. “This doesn’t concern you, man.”
Harry stands straighter, his eyes narrowing. “Oh, it does now. You’re not going to come in here and talk to her like that. You need to go.”
“Or what?” Brandon challenges, stepping a little closer. “You’re going to make me?”
The pressure in the room deepens and I can feel the heat rising. I don’t want this to escalate, but it already feels like it’s heading that way.
“Guys, please,” I say, stepping between them. “This isn’t helping anything.”
Harry looks at me, then back at Brandon. “I’m not going anywhere until he does.”
Brandon scoffs, clearly irritated. “Who the hell do you think you are? You think you can just—”
Before he can finish, Harry steps forward, his voice calm but firm.
“I’m the guy who’s not going to let you treat her like that. So yeah, I do think I can tell you to leave.”
Brandon looks like he’s about to explode, his fists clenching, his face turning red with anger. I can tell things are about to get ugly, and I can’t let it happen.
“Enough!” I shout, my voice sharp and commanding. “Both of you, stop it. Now.”
They both freeze, eyes locked on me. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. It’s like I’m standing between two ticking time bombs, and I’m the one who has to defuse them. “Brandon, just go,” I say, my voice quieter but still hard. “You’ve done enough.”
He looks at me for a long moment, like he’s trying to read me, and then he finally lets out a breath.
“Fine. But don’t think this is over, Aria. I’m not going anywhere.”
With that, he turns and walks out, leaving me standing there, feeling both relieved and exhausted.
As soon as the door closes behind him, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I turn to Harry, who’s still standing there, watching me with an unreadable expression. “Thank you,” I say quietly.
He shrugs, running a hand through his hair.
“I wasn’t going to let him get away with that. He thinks he can just show up and fix everything with a few words and a set of keys? Not on my watch.”
1 smile weakly, feeling the force of everything finally starting to vanish.
“I didn’t ask you to fight my battles, you know.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes I can’t help it.” He smirks, his expression softening as he looks at me.
“You’re important to me, Aria. And I’m not just going to stand by and let him walk all over you.”
Chapter 16
7/2
The sincerity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat, and for a moment, I’m just… lost in the feeling of having someone who actually cares about me. Someone who’s here for me, even when I don’t know how to ask for help.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I don’t know what to do with all this, Harry.”
“You don’t have to do anything right now,” he says gently. “I think I do. And don’t worry, I’ll help you that.”
I nod, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you very much.”
