Chapter twenty six

Henry POV

I couldn't configure my own emotions recently, it's as if Melanie has broken down a barrier inside of me. Never could I have imagined crying in-front of a woman before, but I felt comforted in her presence this was clear to see.

Melanie had just left to meet Tom, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Knowing I needed to now contact Chloe and try tell her that this was now officially the end of our relationship, no more.

"Henry! You finally called"

Clenching my jaw I falsified a happy tone towards her, even though deep down I was crumbling down. "Heya Chloe. Could you come round?"

"Of course, did you want me to come round now ?"

"Please" I responded in a dull tone, trying to not let my emotions get the best of me. "We need to talk"

The call then ended, the familiar glass of scotch in my grasp as I downed it "here goes nothing"

Sure enough Chloe ended up getting here quickly, within a mere twenty minutes a knock sounded alerting me from maybe my forth or fifth drink. Lazily I walked towards the door, seeing those familiar strawberry blonde curls and piercing eyes. "Hey my love" Chloe gushed, quickly wrapping her arms around my neck.

Stiffening I smiled weakly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her inside as I removed the unwanted physical contact she bespoke upon me. 

Sitting her down on the sofa I poured her a drink- her favourite which was red wine. "So you wanted to meet?"

I nodded "yes... we needed to talk"

Chloe frowned "is it good or bad ?"

Grazing my lips with my glass I took a heavy sip, darting my attention back onto the woman I once loved. "I'm so sorry Chloe"

Chloe twiddled with her thumbs, tears welling up in her eyes as she began to realise the extent to this whole 'let's talk' scenario. "You're ending things... aren't you"

I nodded sheepishly, placing a hand over hers to try and comfort her, though quickly she swatted my grasp away "I can't keep doing this to you. I did love you Chloe. Truly"

Tears raced down her cheeks, almost instantly becoming flushed from the severity of her emotions. "Then... what changed ?"

I turned to face her directly, making eye contact even though it was just as difficult for me than her "I- I fell in love with Melanie"

Chloe licked her salted lips from the overflowing tears, shaking her head in dismay. "Your fake wife.."

Knitting my brows together I nodded "I didn't expect to fall in love with her. It just happened. But please don't think I intentionally wanted to hurt you-

"Hurt me Henry ? All you have done is hurt me! Why her! Why can't I be enough for you?"

Chloe stood up from the sofa, downing the rest of her drink "don't you ever talk to me again Henry"

Following suit I grabbed upon her wrist to stop her from leaving "please don't go"

Chloe shook away my grasp, freeing her arm "you have no right to tell me what I can do anymore. You've made that very clear-

"Chloe! Stop. I still want you in my life... I just wanted to be truthful"

Chloe palmed her face as she squinted her eyes in a poor attempt to control herself "can we just not do this please? I want to go. I'm going to go"

Much to my dismay Chloe left, slamming the door behind her leaving me in a pool of my own self pity and guilt. The familiar question blossomed in my head which only added to it further- was this the correct decision ?

Melanie POV

"So you're in love with Henry.." Tom commented weakly, his eyes looking into my entire soul.

I bit my lip, playing with my food which didn't seem appealing anymore "yes, I am"

Tom smiled lightly though I could tell it was a front; he was hurting.

"I am hurt... but these things cannot be helped. I asked you to wait, it's my fault"

I shook my head hastily, grabbing upon his hand "do not blame yourself"

Tom pursed his lips, that falsified smile now removed "I should of told you the truth. I have never stopped loving you... regardless of what has happened. I will always love you"

I promised myself that I would let Tom go but hearing those words from his mouth created a storm inside me- not just from the little one.

"T-Tom I'm pregnant"

Tom's eyes widened as his jaw clenched "you're what-

"I'm pregnant" I repeated; though this time it felt forced. Did I not want this baby?

"Are you keeping the baby? Does Henry know? Is the baby Henry's?"

Stifling a light laugh I nodded, almost offended he had to guess who the baby's dad was. "The baby is Henry's, and no he doesn't know"

Tom frowned as he ruffled his hair "and are you keeping the baby?"

I shrugged my shoulders "honestly. I'm really not sure right now"

"And why haven't you told Henry?"

"Because... he has so much going for him. Why does he want a child to bring all of that down. It would be unfair to him"

Scoffing Tom shook his head "stop thinking about other people for once Melanie. Please do that for me at least ? Put yourself first"

Smiling softly at him I nodded "if I'm honest, I don't even know if I can be in a relationship right now. I do love Henry, but I have so many things I need to think about"

Gripping my hand and entwining our fingers Tom gave me the same soft smile back in return "you need to get back to work, you loved working. Maybe that will help you configure everything-

"Maybe you're right. But I don't think I want to return to being a nurse. I want to explore my real passion"

Tom smiled wider "that's my girl. I remember you always wanting to pursue being a singer, I suppose it's finally clicked in your head"

Biting my lip I nodded "I haven't sung in a year now... I lost myself Tom. I need to find myself again"

"You're capable of the whole world once you put your mind into it" Tom reassured, his words hitting me like electricity, I'll always treasure how inspiring this man was to me. He always pushed me to be my best self.

"As for the baby, tell Henry. He deserves to know"

Stiffening in my seat I nodded, knowing he was correct "I-I think I might just go away for a few weeks. Find myself first before telling him"

Tom frowned "Melanie you will hurt him by doing that"

"I know, but I can't love someone properly until I love myself first. I cannot tell him about a child I still am indecisive on having. You can understand, right ?"

"I understand... do what you need to do. I trust you'll make the best decision for yourself"

I placed a fork full of food in my mouth, trying to distract myself from my feelings. Tom watched me intently as I did, as if he was devouring every second we shared.

"I remember when we talked about children, what were the names we chose again?" Tom queried with a smirk.

"God awful names" I chuckled, relishing back to the old memories we shared "Benjamin and Harriet was it ?"

Tom choked on his drink as a laugh escaped his throat "yep, those were the ones. I still wonder how our future would of planned out..."

I nodded eating more of my food "it's crazy how things can change..."

Finally after a few more hours of talking and getting to grips of what I wanted for my future we paid the bill, splitting it down the middle. "Tonight was really needed, thank you Tom"

Tom pulled me into a hug, his cologne strong as usual, engulfing my nostrils as I embraced him even tighter. "No Melanie, thank you. Whatever happens I'll always be your friend"

Planting a soft kiss on my cheek we went our separate ways.

Ending the relationship we had for good.

Unbeknownst to us there was a camera planted in our direction, the consequences of this would soon be shared to the whole world.

**

It was late at night, the time being one in the morning which only made my heart tighten. Tom's words lingered in my head, that I could put my mind to anything. That is what I was going to do, I was going to find myself again.

Walking inside I carefully placed my feet along the floor so I wouldn't wake Henry, not even Kal was alerted by my presence which I was thankful for.

Grabbing my suitcase I began to select some clothes from my drawers, piling it up to the point my suitcase was heaving. I felt guilty that I was leaving Henry- though I would certainly come back. I just needed time to think for myself, maybe seeing my nan would give me some relief to this all.

A pen rested against my fingers as I began to write a short letter for Henry to wake up to.

To Hen,

I need some time to find who I am again, I am not leaving you. I will come back to you. But please understand that I need this time to find Melanie again. We have many things we need to discuss but for now, think of me as I am so when you see me next you'll be shocked as to who I have become.

I love you,
Melanie.

Folding the letter I placed it on the kitchen counter top, pulling my suitcase along and jumping into a taxi that waited outside for me. "To the airport please"