I can’t even look at the headlines anymore. Every time I do, your face just haunts me. Eyes red from crying that night outside the hotel, hair tucked under a hoodie like you were trying to hide from the world.

They don’t print that part though, do they?

They don’t print how he cheated, how you kept quiet to protect him even when you could’ve burned his reputation to the ground. They just spin their stories, and now they’ve dragged me into it too.

"Secret Lovers"

"Bandmates Gone Rogue"

"The Real Reason Behind the Split"

It’s cruel. Twisted. Disgusting.

When the call came for the meeting, I knew what it was about before anyone said a word. The way the label’s PR guy wouldn’t meet my eyes made it even more obvious. You were sitting across the table, arms folded, as if trying to sink into the chair and just disappear. I hated it. Hated that they’d managed to make you feel like you were the problem.

The execs were all lined up, faces tight, papers spread out like they were about to announce the end of the world.

“Alright,” one of them, James I think, said. Voice smooth, rehearsed. “This isn’t an easy conversation, but given the media situation, we think it’s best to-"

Liam interrupted, cutting right to the chase. “You’re talking about the breakup, right?”

James nodded. “Yes. The situation has become…difficult. It's gotten out of hand. The speculation. The hashtags. It’s everywhere. Especially the narrative connecting you two.” He gestured between you and me.

My brows furrowed even more, my glare near deadly.

Louis leaned back in his chair. “You mean the one where the press thinks they broke up because of Harry?” Sarcastic as ever.

“Exactly,” said another man, this one named Charlie. “It’s creating unnecessary strain on the band’s image. We need to control that before the next leg of the tour.”

“She didn’t do anything wrong.” I could feel the anger rising in me as I finally speak.

“We’re not saying she did,” James said quickly. “But the media-”

“The media?” I repeat, leaning forward. “She got cheated on. How’s that a damn media problem? Matter of fact, how is that even the media's business?"

“Yeah, she’s the one who got hurt, man. Feels wrong telling her to fix something she didn’t break.” Niall's thick accent was only a sign of his own frustration.

Nancy, one of the newer ones, spoke next. “Harry, your friendship with her is being interpreted as romantic by the press. It’s adding fuel. For the sake of both your reputations, we’d advise some professional distance. At least for now.” Her voice was sharper than James or Charlie's.

I don't like it.

You were still silent, hands fiddling with the cap of your water bottle. I could tell you felt like you didn't get a say in this, so I decided to speak for you.

“So the solution is to make her feel even more alone?” I said lowly. “You’re asking her to lose her friend on top of everything else?”

“Harry,” Simon piped up, a sign of the level they're all clearly taking this to. “This isn’t personal. It’s about the brand.”

“Funny,” I shot back, “feels pretty fucking personal to me.”

“Can’t help but notice none of you said a word about the guy who actually cheated. Where’s his PR plan, then?” I add after a moment, looking around the table.

The room went silent. Someone coughed. A pen hit the floor.

“That’s not our concern,” Nancy said simply.

“It should be,” I said. “Because right now, you’re protecting him and blaming her.” I looked across the table at you. You were blinking fast, trying not to cry. That did it for me.

I stood up. The chair scraped across the floor. “No. I’m not pretending she doesn’t exist just because you’re all scared of a few headlines.”

“Harry,” Simon warned. “Sit down. We’re asking for professionalism.”

“I am being professional,” I said firmly. “You want a statement? Here’s one: she deserves better than to be treated like a PR problem."