Next To You

My jaw dropped open. "What? How -"
"He had a highly trained snipper across the street, he could peek in through the window. If I didn't agree to stop seeing you, he would've done it right then and there. So, I asked him if I could leave something so you don't just wake up and never see me, again. He was watching me when I wrote that horrible fucking note. I had to make it quick. He moved me in with him, made me change everything. Delete all social media."
I got up and went over to sit on the small, white couch.
"Are you okay, Mel?" He gets up and walks over to me.
"Just give me a minute. This is a lot to take in."
He nods slowly, and takes the seat next to me. "Understood. I know it's a lot to process."
I close my eyes, "God, if he killed me he would've killed Addie too."
Saying it out loud made me sick I sat up, and took a deep breath.
"You were pregnant that night?" His eyebrows furrowed as he watched me.
I nod, "I found out about a week later. I bought those cheap pregnancy tests, and then my mom made me get it confirmed by a doctor. By that point, I was almost two months along."
"I'm really sorry, I wasn't there for any of it. But, I had no choice. When he told me you were expecting a baby, I begged him to let me be a part of the pregnancy. He said, that regardless of your situation, he would've went through with the threat he made that night at the hotel."
"Oh my god." The only words that came to my mind. "You mean he would've..?"
Harry hesitantly nods. "When he left my mum, he became a monster. Literally. He started doing drugs, hardcore drugs. He drank a lot. He even started a side business for just selling drugs. He was in love with money."
"And did you participate in those activities with him?"
Harry shook his head. "God, no. I would have a beer every now and then, but other than that no. My only hope was to get out of there. He let me visit my mum, of course. But, at night and under heavy surveillance. When I saw the picture of Addie's ultrasound, she didn't want to tell me anything. But, I knew. I knew that was my baby."
"I didn't even know you went to visit her, she didn't say anything until recently. Well, after your dad passed. So, you saw pictures of Addie?"
"Just for the first couple of months, after that I begged her to take them down when I'd show up because knowing she was born and knowing I couldn't do anything about it killed me, Mel. You have no idea how much I suffered with my father. I've seen things I never want anyone to ever see. I didn't have you. I didn't have Addie. My mum. Gemma. No one. Just him, and his goon of security."
I watched him, as he shook his head. I can't even begin to imagine what he's been through the last five years. I don't want to either. Harry has always been the brave one. The strong one. So, to see him like this is scary.
"That's enough for today. How about another cup of tea? Addie will be here in about ten minutes."
"I'm fine. Thank you. What are you goingto say to your mom? She's the one dropping her off, right?"
I nod, "I have no idea. Nothing in front of Addie, she doesn't need to know any of this."
"Agreed."

Notes