S I X    M O N T H S    B E F O R E

Harry's eyes watch Celia's every move as she makes her way over to the table. He watches as her hips sway with each step, and her hair flow ever so slightly in the breeze. She's wearing a short hot pink romper, jean jacket and black knee high boots. It's certainly not what a secretary should wear around her boss, but neither of them care. They're at a small café, one that's far away from anyone that may see them. They don't necessarily care about the employees seeing them, but there have been to many close calls with business partners seeing them together.

The people who work for him, and the people who invest in his company absolutely adore Aurelia. She's always the one that somehow manages to convince people to continue working with Harry. This means that he has to keep up the appearance of still being in love with his wife for the benefit of his company. There's a small part of him that feels bad about this, but he's sure that nothing bad will come out of it. Besides, it won't be for much longer. He's going to bring up the idea of a divorce pretty soon.

It's been nearly half a year since he started the affair with Celia, and he's never felt more alive. The way her body is able to bend, the way she responds to him, and the way that she's so willing to have sex at any time excites him like no other. He knows that he loves Celia, and that he'll leave Aurelia when the time is right--knowing when is the hard part. Bring up the idea of a divorce at the wrong time, and that could spell trouble for him, Celia and maybe even the company.

He has no idea how Aurelia will react to everything. He suspects that she already knows about the affair. Maybe that's why she's been so sad. Her behaviour has changed even more in the past few months. He's pretty sure that she's hasn't been getting any sleep and this is why she's forgetting more and more things. She doesn't seem as loving as she used to be either.

"So, when are you going to break the news to your wife?" Celia asks as she sits across from Harry. She twirls a strand of her hair around her finger and smiles at the man before her. "I want to be able to flaunt you around the city. I hate having to hide you."

"Don't worry, baby," Harry says, clearing his throat as his eyes instinctively go to her chest. "I uh...well, these things take time. I have to break it to her gently or it could spell trouble for us."

"Why do I feel like you're stalling on purpose?" Celia pouts. "I don't think you're as serious about me as I am about you."

"Well, I do have a son to think about in this situation," Harry says. "But don't worry, I'll figure it out. I always do." Celia lets out a quiet huff and leans back in her chair, giving him an annoyed look. She's growing impatient, and she just wants him to tell Aurelia that he wants a divorce. She's tired of all the sneaking around and having to cover her tracks when she's at the office. She doesn't even see the point of it since most of the employees who work under Harry know about the affair.

"Will you be able to spend the night with me?" Celia asks after their food comes. She takes a small sip of her tea before beginning to eat her salad. "You know that I sleep better when I'm with you."

"I have to keep up appearances, but I'll see what I can do," Harry sighs. "I guess I could text Aurelia that I have to work late, so I'll and be staying at the office." He's used that excuse multiple times when in reality, he's actually going over to Celia's apartment. He knows he has to come up with a better excuse at some point, since he knows that his wife is already suspicious, and most likely knows. He's using the oldest lie in the book.

"I was thinking that you could take the day off tomorrow and we could spend the day together," Celia says. "Think about all of the things we could do." Harry immediately feels a tug in his stomach at her words and he immediately nods. He's rarely ever taken a day off, and he doesn't really see the harm in doing this.

"I'll do it, but I have to go back to my wife and son tomorrow night," Harry says. Celia pouts, but knows that this is the best thing to do for now. It can't be much longer now until he finally plucks up the courage to divorce his wife and she can't wait. When the two go to Celia's apartment, Harry receives a text and he refrains from rolling his eyes when he sees Aurelia's name.

Aurelia Bristow: Harry, can you please come home? I have something important I have to tell you.

Harry Styles: I'm a little busy, can it wait?

Aurelia Bristow: No, but I know you're just going to ignore me regardless of my answer

Aurelia Bristow: Thanks for wishing me a happy birthday by the way. Really appreciate it.

Harry lets out a loud sigh as he puts his phone away. He had completely forgotten that today was, even with the multiple reminders he had set.

"Should I go?" Harry asks after showing his messages to Celia. She immediately scoffs and shakes her head. "I feel like I need to."

"Why should you?" she asks, tossing her jean jacket to the side. "You're divorcing the woman, I don't think you need to go to her now. She probably see it because you pitying her, and she wouldn't like that," she continues as she unzips her romper. The pink material falls to the floor, revealing Celia's bare body. Harry feels the same familiar tug in his lower abdomen and he grabs her hips to pull her to him.

"You're right," he says as he stares down at his secretary. "I don't have to go."

P R E S E N T

"Why are you listening to that album, again?" Harry asks as he walks into the penthouse. Beyoncé's Lemonade, is playing on the speakers and he lets out a sigh. It wasn't that he disliked the album, he was just tried of hearing it being played all the time.

"Because I can. If you have a problem with that you can just go to Cecilia's," Aurelia says coolly as she continues writing something down. As Harry comes closer, she turns the paper over and places her hands on it. "She's much more willing, and I'm sure she can tire you out before you come home again. That way you don't have to speak to me and you can go straight to bed."

"Except your stupid conditions keep me here," Harry says through gritted teeth. "Just change the damn music, will you?"

"I won't, actually," Aurelia says. "I'm listening to it because I want to understand."

"Understand?" Harry asks, rolling his eyes.

"I want to understand how Beyoncé was able to forgive Jay-Z for cheating on her," Aurelia sighs. "Cheating is the worst thing someone could do in a relationship, right? It breaks all trust you have, it causes so much pain, and...and I just don't get it. How could she forgive him?"

"Well-"

"She gave him a daughter. She loved him with everything she had, and what does he do? He throws away everything and decides to cheat. I just don't get it," Aurelia continues as she gets more worked up. "I thought that I'd feel better after listening to the album because it talks about forgiving someone for infidelity, but it makes me feel worse."

"Aurelia-"

"I hate that I can't listen to the album in the same way ever again. I loved it in the beginning because I felt empowered as a black woman, but now...now I just feel bitter."

"Yeah, well-"

"I fucking gave you the job that saved your family. I gave you a second chance, I helped you when you were at your lowest point. I gave you a son. I was there when your mother died. I was there when your dad tried reaching out to you. I was there when Juliet had open heart surgery-I was there," Aurelia yells as she throws her pen across the kitchen. "I gave you eighteen years of my life, and you repay me by leaving me for a woman you don't even love."

"Yeah, well, shit happens," Harry shrugs.

"Yeah, it does," Aurelia sighs. "And it honestly sucks that none of your employees had the guts to tell me about the affair, despite the multiple times I came into the office."

"Why would you come to my workplace?" Harry asks, a little taken aback. It's the first time he's hearing about this; she'd normally tell him when she was coming in.

"You'd quite often forget your lunch, or your favourite coffee mug so I'd bring it over for you," Aurelia replies sadly. "I always left a note and put it on Cecilia's desk when she wasn't there and your door was closed. I knew what was going on behind it, I really did, but I honestly hoped it was all a sick joke."

"What?" Harry mumbles under his breath. Celia was always the one to get him his lunch and favourite mug. She'd claim she had gotten both before his meal with a smirk on her face, which he always thought was weird at the time but never questioned it. "That was always Celia."

"You honestly think that incompetent little girl was actually capable of bringing you lunch?" Aurelia snaps.

"You know, maybe this divorce is going to be good for us," Harry says, feeling a rush of anger.

"It'll certainly be good for you," she says quite true. "Good night, Harry," she continues as she grabs the piece of paper she had been writing on. She leaves the kitchen and goes upstairs. Harry doesn't even bother going after her, or pointing out the fact that it's only six in the evening. He just shakes his head and takes a deep breath before making himself some dinner. It's only as he things up his dirty dishes that he realizes that Aurelia hadn't eaten anything. He's not sure if he should bring something up to her or not, and he decides on not doing it because it's not his responsibility anymore. If Aurelia is truly hungry, she'll come back downstairs to get something to eat.

Fynn eventually comes walking into the penthouse with a few of his friends from school. Harry recognizes them as Marcus, Jamie, and Anthony, the three boys that his son has been friends with since they were four years old. All four of the boys greet Harry before heading upstairs, presumably to study for their exams. As he hears Fynn's door close, it hits him just how long it's been since he's spent time with his son. Harry's been so focused on Celia that he's pretty much forgotten about that part of his life. Sighing, Harry goes over to the fridge to pull out a bottle of beer. His eyebrows furrow when he sees all of the labels on the various foods in the fridge.

Water - for drinking

Eggs - scrambled eggs, pastries, etc.

Beer - for Harry. Do not drink. This mixes with the anti depressants.

Kale - gross shit that Harry loves

Almond Milk - drink it twice a day

Cheese - lactose free because Fynn can't have dairy

Harry continues looking at the labels and feels his confusion grow. Why is she putting these things on everything? It seems weird and a little neurotic, but he doesn't do anything to them. He merely closes the fridge and goes upstairs to ask Aurelia why she's labeling everything, but he finds her sitting on the bedroom floor, crying as she looks at a bunch of photographs. He immediately recognizes that they're from their wedding and he feels a sudden rush of emotions.

"Why are you looking at those? It's only going to make you feel worse about the situation," Harry asks.

"I'm trying to figure out where it all went wrong. I want to know why you suddenly stopped loving me and why you think it's okay to put me through all this emotional pain," Aurelia says. "I barely understand what's happening and why. I've done so much for you and you show your gratitude by leaving me. You're cheating me, you don't even care that I'm dying because of it."

"I do-"

"You haven't even apologized," she continues. "It's bullshit. I don't understand what else I could have done. You chose to cheat on me because I was sick? What kind of fucked up human being does that?"

"I-"

"The worst part is, I don't even think you ever loved me. All our years of marriage feel like a fucking sham, a lie. All those years wasted on someone who didn't even love me," Aurelia days, with a slight laugh. The sound is bitter and hollow. "I'm seeing your true colours too late in my life. You are the only person I'll ever get to be with now, and it fucking sucks."

"I did love you."

"Don't lie just to make me feel better," she replies as her eyes begin to fill with tears. "You know, I've always suspected that Celia liked you."

"And you didn't do anything to stop her?" Harry asks, his eyebrows raising skeptically.

"Because I trusted you," she sighs. "You were my husband and you never gave me a reason to think you'd cheat on me. I thought that you'd be able to keep it in your pants, but clearly I was wrong."

"How could you have trusted me so much?" Harry asks, feeling another stab of guilt. He sits on the edge of the bed near Aurelia and he can't stop himself from glancing at the wedding photos. "No one can be that trusting."

"I was," Aurelia says as she gathers up the photos. "I loved you with all my heart. I could never have dreamed that you'd commit the ultimate betrayal."

"I-"

"You know, I cried myself to sleep the first night you came home smelling like another woman," Aurelia says as she slowly gets up. "I slowly became numb to the obvious signs of you cheating like when I had to scrub out lipstick stains on the collar of your dress shirts. I hate that you did that to me. I hate that you didn't even bother trying to hide what you were doing," she continues bitterly. She goes over to the trash can that's in the corner of the bedroom and drops the photos in there, feeling sad as she looks at the reminders of what used to be the happiest day of her life.

Harry watches with wide eyes as she does this, feeling a mixture of emotions. He didn't think that she would ever do something like that, though he knows deep down that he deserves this. He's the one that pushed her to go this far and he has to look away as Aurelia sticks her foot in the trash and pressing down so it's compressed. You did this, you asked for it. He keeps repeating those words as he remembers that he's divorcing this woman. There's no going back, especially now that she's trashing the wedding photos.

"I'll be sleeping in the guest room," Aurelia announces. "I can't stand to look at you right."

"What about when I have to carry you outside?" Harry asks quietly.

"I'll have to come back here to get my clothes, so you'll do it after I get dressed," Aurelia says. She gets a reminder on her phone and she looks down briefly to look at it. "Now, I believe that there's something you need to tell me," she adds. The reminder on her phone had said, ask Harry to remind you.

"There is?" he asks, surprised.

"Yes, my phone told me that you have to remind me about something."

"Reminder?" Harry mumbles, wondering why Aurelia put something like that in her phone. "Oh yeah," he sighs. "I'm divorcing you."

"Why?"

"Why-Aurelia, what's going on with you?" Harry asks. She merely glares at him and he sighs again. "I've been...cheating on you with Celia."

"Right," Aurelia sighs. "Well, goodnight, Harry." She doesn't give him the chance to reply, before she's leaving the room. Harry wait a few minutes before moving from his spot on the edge of the bed to the garbage can. The wedding photos, his heart breaking as he sees the smiles of all the guests. He feels his heart race ever so slightly when he comes across a photo of him and Aurelia. She looked so beautiful in her dress, and he sees nothing but love in her eyes. Memories suddenly come back to him and tears begin to fall from his eyes as he remembers what his life was like before Celia.