Shelby POV
“Guess he’s a no show.” I said to the stray cat that hung around the studio. We’d named him Barnaby for some reason and he spent most of his time curled up in my office, he was as spoiled as a stray cat could be. I’d tried to take him home countless times, but Harry always objected. He said cats made him itchy.
I finished putting up all my equipment, looking down at my phone. “Z” Flashed across the screen, I smile and slide my finger across the glass.
“Hello you.” I said as I locked the door to my office and then bent down to pet Barnaby.
“How did it go?” Zayn asked, worry on his voice.
“Don’t fret, he didn’t even show up. Lord knows what is going on with that boy.” I flicked off the last few lights and set the alarm code.
“Still, it seems fishy. He’s probably doing some recon for Harry or something.”
I walked out of the main door and locked it, hiking my purse on my shoulder as I walked towards my car.
“I guess; I don’t know… I thought maybe he’d want to apologize for insinuating that you and I were sleeping together.” I said with a sigh.
“Niall is an arse babe, he didn’t even say anything to me about it and if he knew then why hasn’t Harry come to retaliate yet?” Zayn scoffed.
“I don’t understand either of them…”
“You going to be okay tonight?”
“Yeah… I’m really anxious. I just have this feeling like this is going to be awful…” I clutched my stomach as the feeling of doom built up. I finally got to my car and unlocked the door, wishing I could just drive and drive and not look back.

Last week was the last straw, he finally did it. He hit me. Not a slap either, he slugged me right in my rib cage. He said he didn’t want to leave a mark on my pretty face and then hit me again. Years of verbal abuse had finally escalated to physical abuse. I wouldn’t stand by and let him do this to me though. I had to hold Zayn back when he saw the outrageous bruise on my abdomen.

“I will kill him, I swear I will if he touches you one more time…” Zayn was clearly unnerved.
“I’ll be okay babe, I always am.” I wasn’t so sure, something felt off about tonight. There was an eerie feeling to the air. “Look, I’ll call you when I’m done and on my way to your house okay?” I finally asked.

“Okay, I love you Shelby.” He said softly, making sure I knew he would really be there no matter what.

“I love you too.” I said with a smile and hung up the phone, I was halfway home by now, I hadn’t even realized I was driving. It was like instinct. Harry should be out for a few more hours so I had time to finish loading my stuff into the car so it would be a smooth transition and if I did have to leave in a hurry I’d have most of my stuff.
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The lights were off in the condo, but the moonlight was illuminating the silhouettes of furniture as I walked into the front door. I flipped the light on in the kitchen as I went into the room and noticed a bouquet of flowers on the counter, I arched a brow wondering who would have left them here? I walked up closer to the counter and looked at the note.

“Sorry. –H”

I swallowed, feeling sick to my stomach. He had been home at some point. I was immediately sweating with fear, had he noticed my clothes were sparse? Had he noticed anything cleaned out of the bathroom?

I was practically spinning in fear when I turned around quickly, feeling the stare of someone on my back.

“You’re home.” He said as he stepped out of the shadows, a devilish smirk on his lips.
“I am, I didn’t know you were here.” I said shakily.
“Oh? Yeah, I got off early figured I’d come by and tell you how sorry I was for last week… it appears as though you’re taking a trip though? I hope you don’t mind I went ahead and unpacked your items and put them back up. You’re not going anywhere.” He said flatly, giving me a glare that made my stomach turn.

“I was just going….I was just downsizing.” I tried to reason, hoping he would believe me.

I gasped as I saw his hand move to his back and then reappeared holding a silver gun. It was larger than the guns I’d seen before, I instantly froze.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He said as he reached for me, I screamed as I turned abruptly, trying to run. His hand grabbed the fabric of my shirt as he jerked me back.
“Please, Harry I’m sorry” I plead, it didn’t have to end like this, we could work this out. We always did.

“I’m tired of being a fucking joke Shelby, everyone knows you’re fucking Zayn. EVERYONE.” He yelled at me, making my ears ring. I was sobbing at this point. He was pressed against me, his breathing heavy as I tried to wriggle from his grasp.
“I don’t deserve this, I deserve better. You were supposed to be better” He said with a laugh, shaking his head as he threw me down to the ground. I hit the marble tile hard and instantly began trying to crawl away.

“I want you to suffer how I suffered….” He continued talking as he stepped on my back, pinning me down.

“I fucking loved you!” I could hear him crying now, he has truly lost it.

I knew there was a reason why I felt like this, I knew there was a reason why my stomach was telling me to keep driving… I knew—

Notes

One more chapter.