While Daniel remains perfectly still on the hallway floor almost in a trance, I decide that I need to do something. My dad's face unexpectedly pops into my head as I stand up, and I know exactly what to do.

"I'll put the kettle on." I say simply, but with a typical British confidence that a cup of tea always makes things better.

Daniel looks up at me, his piercing blue eyes somehow dimmed with anger, frustration and fear. Despite spending the week in the sun, suddenly his bronzed face appears grey and sullen. My heart breaks at the sight of him crumpled on the floor.

Holding out my hand, he takes it without hesitation allowing me to help him get back on his feet. He gently cups my face in his hands and rests his forehead against mine, both of us taking solace in the silence.

Rhys enters the hallway as I step back to lead Daniel through to the kitchen. He follows behind us, clearly assessing our emotional state before choosing the right time to speak.

Once Daniel is sat at the kitchen island, I walk round to fill the kettle up. "Tea?" I ask both men.

"Please." Daniel responds.

"Not for me, could I have a glass of water please?" Rhys asks politely while his hands are placed firmly in his suit pockets. I nod in response while I reach for a glass in the cupboard and fill it up with ice cold water. I then make our tea once the kettle has boiled.

The startling sound of Rhys's ringtone makes both Daniel and I jump. Rhys looks apologetic and a little annoyed when he sees who is calling, as though it will interrupt whatever he has planned to discuss.

"Hi..." he says, but then just listens to whoever is speaking on the other end of the call. He frowns deeply before reaching onto the island and picking up the TV remote. He flicks on the TV, swiftly changing the channel. 

"For fuck sake!" I exclaim bitterly as the footage replays the horrendous events of the last fifteen minutes. Even though I'm well aware what is about to unfold, I can't take my eyes from the screen.

The angle of the footage is from behind the car. It's like watching a movie... with me in it. I watch myself in a dreamlike state, stepping out of the car. Immediately turning to take Daniel's hand as he clambers out of the car right behind me. Even though I know exactly the moment the journalist puts his hand on me, I'm still surprised by how painful it looks when he roughly grabs my wrist. Both Daniel and Rhys's eyes briefly snap to my wrist as my hand instinctively covers it. I smile sadly as my stare returns to the TV just in time to watch Daniel lose his shit.

Daniel lowers his head as though he is unable to watch himself. Instead of watching the TV anymore, I study Daniel's expression. He looks like a beaten man.

His words to the journalist echo through the kitchen. "You touch my girlfriend again and I'll do more than break your fucking nose." Daniel closes his eyes tightly before pinching the bridge of his nose.

The footage ends on a close up of Daniel screaming at the journalist, who is now cowering on the floor.

"Movie star, Daniel Weston involved in an altercation outside of the central London home that he shares with pregnant girlfriend, Lizzie Cooper." The attractive reporter says from behind her grey desk. "Shocking behaviour! However, it has reopened the debate on whether celebrities should accept that their private lives are public property, or whether such behaviour by the media is a violation of their privacy. Please join us after the break..." Rhys switches off the TV with an audible sigh.

"The journalist has been arrested for assault. However, you need to be prepared that he's going to press charges against you in return." Rhys speaks firmly, directly to Daniel.

Daniel just nods solemnly, but doesn't lift his head.

"Also, there are now quite a few pictures of your bump, Lizzie. This frenzy isn't going to stop any time soon, I'm afraid." Rhys's tone is much softer towards me.

I open my mouth to speak as Daniel moves suddenly. He makes a desperate indescribable sound before he slams his hands down on the marble work surface on the island. "I cannot deal with this fucking shit anymore!" He screams before swiping his arms across the island, sending the steaming hot mugs of tea, and glass of water hurtling across the kitchen.

The sound of them hitting the wall and obliterating into hundreds of pieces is almost ear splitting. Instinctively, I cover my bump and slightly retreat away from Daniel.

When our eyes meet, I can see that he looks completely drained, as though he has nothing left. His stare flits down to my belly that I'm still covering. The pain and fear that now ripples across his face is devastating. He runs his hands through his hair roughly, but doesn't move.

I take a deep breath, knowing he needs me. Stepping forward to reach for him, he abruptly pulls away from me. "Don't..." he pleads.

"Daniel, please-" I reach for him again, but he shakes his head.

Without warning, he turns on his heals and strides out of the kitchen. Frozen to the spot, I hear him run up the stairs two at a time before the door to his office slams shut.

My instincts scream at me to follow him, but Rhys cuts me off, standing firm in the doorway. "Just give him a minute." He says soothingly.

A loud sob escapes my mouth, and I cover my face firmly to silence the agonising noise. Rhys pulls me to him, and holds me while I cry until I don't have any tears left. "I don't know what to do." I mumble through the last of my sobs.

"You will figure this out, you always do." He steps back as he hands me a tissue.

"Thank you." I say quietly before I blow my nose.

Turning, I'm suddenly aware of the mess in the kitchen. Slowly and carefully, Rhys and I pick up each piece of glass and pottery. I then clean the wall as Rhys vacuums up the final pieces from the floor.

Silently, Rhys makes me another cup of tea. Feeling the weight of the day bear down on me, I slump onto one of the chairs and bury my head in my hands. I feel like I could sleep for a week.

It takes all my strength not to go up to Daniel, and make him see that everything is going to be OK. But the truth as I sit here and watch the steam from my tea swirl and dance around my head is that I don't believe that everything is going to be OK anymore. I'm not sure how much we can both withstand before one of us gives up.

"Can I speak to Lizzie alone please, Rhys?" Daniel's subdued voice speaks from the doorway. My head flicks to him. Daniel's eyes are puffy and red, so I know he's being crying too. "Chris has said she has some updates for you."

Rhys nods. "I'll call her now." He doesn't look back as he leaves the room.

"Daniel-" I begin, but he raises his hand to cut me off. Slowly, he walks towards me. He kisses the top of my head lovingly before pulling out the chair next to me. He sits down, and takes both my hands in his.

"Just let me speak, please."

I nod.

"I'm sorry... sorry about all this mess. But, I can't live without you, Lizzie, I'm too selfish. I need you more than the air I breathe. So, me stepping away from you while I deal with the media isn't an option." He looks at me desperately.

"Good start because I'm not going anywhere." I whisper. My words raise a small smile on his beautiful face.

"With your agreement, I think we need to get ahead of the story. It's clear that these reporters aren't going anywhere, so I'll do the interview Chris wants me to do. At least that way we can control the narrative, rather than those bastards saying whatever they want!"

"I think that sounds like the best option we have." I lean against his shoulder.

"There's something else..." he says nervously.

My heart pounds in my chest as I raise my head again to meet his eyes.

"I saw the fear in your eyes when I lost my temper and I never want to see that look again... ever! I'm aware I have issues that I've been burying deep so I don't have to face them. But, today has made me realise that I can't keep them buried because it will only lead to me pushing you away. So, Chris has arranged for me to see a therapist so I can try and work through how I feel. I want to feel better."

"Oh, Daniel." I whimper. "I'm so glad you've decided to speak to someone, it will help... I promise. We can move forward  as a family." I kiss him softly, and feel my heart skip a beat when he returns my kiss. Gently, I then feel Daniel's hand rest across my stomach.

- hey guys

Firstly, I'm so sorry for the delay in uploading this chapter. I've been on holiday!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

What do you think of Daniel's breakdown? Are you happy that he's finally admitted he has issues?

Please tick the little star too! Thank you so much for still reading. T xxx -