Forced Reconciliation

16.

this is part 3 of a triple update! so if you haven't already, please go back and read chapters 15 & 15.5 so everything makes sense <3 enjoy!

Harry Styles

As Andi turns to face me, I see the pain written all over her face. I can physically see the heartbreak etched into her brain, and it doesn't take me long to understand why.

"Andi, hey. This is Sophia, the nanny, remember?"

Her blank stare with tears welling up in her eyes does something to me that I can't explain, but I have every instinct to protect her from her own thoughts right now. She doesn't even have to tell me what thoughts are running through her head right now.

It's the same heartbreak in her eyes that I saw two years ago.

But this time is completely different, there's not a strange woman in our kitchen. Andi knows this woman, we met her two weeks ago, her mind is just playing tricks on her.

The fact that she still hasn't said anything is beginning to worry me. "Hey, you're alright. Everything's okay," I attempt to look in her empty eyes.

"I... I n-need to sit d-down," she stutters and I'm immediately guiding her to the formal living room away from everything going on in the kitchen.

I didn't even think about how this could affect Andi when Sophia told me that her plans fell through and she could actually start sooner than we had planned. We don't technically need her today, this is just simply a trial run to see how she does with Ellie and Rome before it becomes a permanent thing.

Once I get Andi sat down on the couch, I run to the kitchen quickly to get her a bottle of water. "Here, drink this."

She takes a quick sip followed by a deep breath and I can finally see her coming back to me. She doesn't look so pale in complexion. It's a start.

I feel so guilty.

"I'm sorry. I uh... I don't know what happened."

"No, hey, you don't need to apologize. I'm sorry for not telling you she would be here when you came over. I didn't mean to catch you off guard and trigger you."

Andi takes another deep breath before squeezing her eyes shut and pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. "We need to talk, Harry."

I nod slowly. I know we need to talk about last night and the kiss if she wants to, but now I'm thinking she means more than just about last night. The thought of having that deep of a discussion has me sweating.

But I refuse to be a coward again. I have to face her and all the terrible things I've done to her. She deserves to tell me exactly how I made her feel and just how bad I hurt her, she deserves answers.

"I know, I can uh... I'll tell Sophia that she can go home. It's about time for the kids' nap anyway, so we can talk then. Is that alright?" Andi confirms with a solemn nod and nothing else before I'm running off to the kitchen.

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Andi Rhoades

I have no idea what just happened. I swear to god I just lived through deja vú for the first time, and I felt like I was going to pass out afterwards. Everything seemed so clear, like I was feeling everything that I felt two years ago, except it was somehow worse because now Ellie and Rome were involved.

Not only had I been replaced by Harry, but the kids had found something better as well.

I can't even begin to explain how fucking dumb I feel for reacting like that, especially when I had just met Sophia not even two weeks ago. She probably thinks I'm some sort of emotional whack job now, unfit to care for Ellie and Rome.