Next To You

I blinked at him, hoping it was a lie. Hoping he was as readable as he was five years ago. I shook my head, and got up from my seat.
"That's a lie, Styles. My mom would never do that to my dad, much less me." I pointed my finger at him. "She would never do that. Ever."
He nods and reaches into his jacket pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. "I figured you would need to see a bit of proof. So," He hands me the crumpled paper. "Here is a letter from your mom to my father from 2006. We were about what? 12. Which was when my parents divorced."
I stared at the paper, before I looked back up at Harry who was patiently waiting for me to give in. I let out a huff of air, before taking the letter and sitting back in the chair across from him.
I stared at my mom's handwriting on the paper. I could recognize her writing any day. I glanced up at Harry before I started reading it.

"Dear James,
I heard what happened with Anne, and in that sense I am sorry. I'm sorry you had to put your kids through that. As much, as I am happy you no longer need to put this behind Anne's back. I can't help but feel guiity every time I go sleep next to Adam.
I know he has suspicions. But, I can't seem to let you go. I wish I could. God, how I wish I could. But, then I think about my little girl who is so involved with your family and cannot wait to be around them, and I realize I have to. I need to put her happiness before mine.
With that said, I'm sorry for leaving it like this. However, I can't find myself to regret what we had, or what we shared. You were there for me, and understoood me more than anyone. I truly did love you, and I'll be there when you need me. I promise you, I will never leave you in despair.
James, please understand, I can tell that our kids care for each other. Your Harry and my Melanie are meant for each other and I could feel it. I know, you're probably laughing or rolling your eyes as you read this because you think they're too young for all this. But, I have a feeling. I'm doing this for them.

I truly am sorry. I love you, James.
Love always,
Samantha."

I placed the letter on the table, when I was finished with it. I stared at, hoping it would catch fire and I'd wake up and realize I was just dreaming. When none of that happened, I finally glanced back up at Harry.
"How long have you known about this?"
He leaned forward, "About 6 months. Right after my father passed, I had to make sure he wasn't lying to me. When I left that night, five years ago it wasn't by choice, Melanie. Everything I've done in the past five years wasn't by choice. My father had complete control over me, and then when we learned about you being pregnant, and with my child. He had more control over me than ever after that." He shook his head, as if he was trying to rid of all the memories that were coming back to him. "My father was a cold man. He had no heart. He changed when he left my mum. He claims it was my fault, of course I had no idea what he meant. But, I found that letter in his desk after his passing and it all made sense."
"So, what caused you to leave that night?"
He kept his focus on me. "You had just fallen asleep. When, there was a knock on the door. Of course, I didn't it want it to wake you so I answered it quickly. Standing there was my father and his team of security. I was confused because, I had no idea how he found us. So, when I asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted me to leave you. He forbid me from ever talking to you or ever getting in contact with you. I laughed, and told him to fuck off because no way in hell was that ever going to happen.
I wanted to protect you, Mel. That's all I've been trying to do for the past five years. You and Addie. I've been trying so desperately to protect you both."
I nodded at him. "But what caused you to leave? What did you have over you?"
"He was going to kill you."

Notes