Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Harry walked down the dimly lit corridor, his mind preoccupied with the events of the evening. The opulence of the Sea Pavilion felt surreal, a stark contrast to the life he had known until recently. As he rounded a corner, he heard a familiar voice.

“Harry? Is that you?”

He turned to see Lily standing a few steps away, her eyes wide with surprise and her smile warm. “Lily? What are you doing here?” he asked, unable to hide his delight at seeing her.

“I work here,” she replied, holding up a tray. “What about you? I didn’t expect to see you in a place like this.”

Harry shrugged, his smile fading a little. “Just... dinner with some people.”

Lily’s brow furrowed slightly as she studied him. “Are you okay? You look... different.”

Harry laughed softly. “A lot has happened. I’m managing.”

“You don’t have to pretend with me, you know,” she said gently, her eyes filled with concern. “I heard about your foster mother. Is she doing okay?”

“She’s stable for now,” Harry replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “But the medical bills are... a lot.”

Lily bit her lip and reached into her apron pocket, pulling out a small envelope. “Here,” she said, thrusting it into his hands. “It’s not much, just some tips I’ve saved up. I know it’s probably nothing compared to what you need, but—”

“Lily, I can’t take this,” Harry interrupted, his heart aching at her generosity. “You’ve worked hard for this.”

“Please, Harry,” she insisted, her eyes shining with sincerity. “It’s the least I can do. You were there for me when I had nothing. This is just me trying to help.”

Harry looked down at the envelope, his throat tightening. The gesture was so selfless, so pure, that it took his breath away. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Lily smiled softly. “Friends help each other, right?”

Before Harry could respond, a loud, mocking voice echoed down the corridor. “Well, well, what do we have here? A charity case reunion?”

Both Harry and Lily turned to see Avery Thornhill approaching, his expression twisted with disdain. He was dressed in a tailored suit that screamed wealth and arrogance, and his eyes roved over them with contempt.

“What do you want, Avery?” Harry asked, his tone flat and unwelcoming.

“I’m just curious,” Avery sneered, crossing his arms. “I saw you chatting with Amelia earlier, Harry. Looked like you were trying to win her back. Pathetic, really. And now you’re here, cozying up with a waitress? Things must be pretty bad for you.”

Lily stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. “Leave him alone, Avery. He’s not bothering anyone.”

Avery chuckled, his gaze sliding over Lily dismissively. “Defending your little lover, are we? How touching.” He turned back to Harry, his smile cruel. “Tell me, Harry, how does it feel to be replaced? Amelia’s new man is quite the catch, isn’t he? Rich, successful. Everything you’re not.”

“Shut up, Avery,” Harry said through gritted teeth, his fists clenching at his sides.

“Oh, struck a nerve, did I?” Avery taunted, his grin widening. “You know, I almost feel sorry for you. But then again, you’ve always been a loser. No money, no prospects. And now, no girlfriend either.”

“That’s enough!” Lily snapped, stepping between them. “You have no right to talk to him like that.”

Avery’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned down, sneering in her face. “And what are you going to do about it, sweetheart? Run to your boss? Cry to your boyfriend here?”

Lily stood her ground, her voice steady despite the tremor of anger in it. “You’re a bully, Avery. You think you can push people around because you have money, but that doesn’t make you better than anyone.”

Avery laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. “Oh, please. Save the lecture. You’re just a waitress. And he’s just—”

But before he could finish, Harry’s fist collided with his jaw, sending him stumbling backward. The force of the punch echoed down the corridor, and for a moment, everything was still.

Avery straightened, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His eyes blazed with fury. “You’re going to regret that.”

“Not as much as you will,” Harry growled, his voice low and dangerous.

With a roar of rage, Avery lunged at Harry, but Harry was ready. He grabbed a chair from the side of the corridor and swung it, catching Avery in the ribs. Avery doubled over with a pained grunt, but Harry didn’t stop. His anger, long suppressed, exploded as he brought the chair down again and again.

“Harry, stop!” Lily cried, her voice high with panic. She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. “Please, you’re going to get in trouble!”

But Harry’s eyes were locked on Avery, his vision red with rage. “You think you can just say whatever you want? Hurt whoever you want?”

Avery was on the ground now, gasping for breath. “Get off me, you maniac!”

“Harry, please!” Lily’s voice broke through his haze of anger, and he finally stopped, the chair slipping from his grasp. He looked down at Avery, who was curled up on the floor, clutching his side, then back at Lily, who was staring at him with wide, frightened eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

But before he could say more, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Riley Hilton, the lobby manager, appeared around the corner, flanked by two security guards.

“What is going on here?” she demanded, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

Avery, seizing his chance, pointed a trembling finger at Harry. “This psycho attacked me out of nowhere! Arrest him!”

Riley’s gaze shifted to Harry, then to Lily, who stepped forward, her voice trembling but determined. “That’s not true. Avery was harassing me, and Harry was just trying to protect me.”

“Lily—” Harry began, but she cut him off.

“No, Harry,” she said firmly. She turned back to Riley. “It’s true. Avery was saying horrible things, and he wouldn’t leave us alone. Harry was defending me.”

Riley’s eyes flicked between them, her expression unreadable. “Is that so?”

Avery let out a disbelieving laugh. “You can’t seriously believe her! She’s just trying to cover for him. He’s violent, unstable—”

“Enough, Mr. Thornhill,” Riley said sharply, silencing him. She turned to the security guards. “Take him to the medical room to get checked out.”

“What?” Avery sputtered, his face red with indignation. “But he—”

“Now, Mr. Thornhill,” Riley repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guards stepped forward, and Avery, still grumbling and clutching his side, allowed himself to be led away. Riley watched them go, then turned back to Harry and Lily.

“I don’t know what really happened here,” she said quietly, her gaze steady. “But I know Avery Thornhill, and I know his type. Just... be careful, Harry.”

Harry nodded, his jaw tight. “Thank you.”

Riley nodded back, her eyes softening slightly. “You’re welcome. And Lily—take the rest of the night off.”

Lily blinked in surprise. “But I—”

“No arguments,” Riley said firmly. “Go home.”

Lily glanced at Harry, then back at Riley. “Okay. Thank you.”

As Riley walked away, Harry turned to Lily, his expression conflicted. “Lily, you didn’t have to—”

“Yes, I did,” she interrupted, her voice fierce. “You were protecting me. I wasn’t going to let you get in trouble for that.”

Harry looked at her, his chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and guilt. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “You’re a good person, Harry. You always have been.”

He looked down at their joined hands, feeling a warmth he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thank you, Lily. For everything.”

She smiled, a small, sad smile. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” he promised.

They stood there for a moment, the silence filled with unspoken words and lingering emotions. Then, with a final nod, Lily turned and walked away, leaving Harry standing alone in the dim corridor, his mind whirling with the events of the night.

As he watched her go, he felt a surge of determination. He had been through hell and back, but he wasn’t alone. He had people who cared about him, who believed in him. And he would not let them down.

With that thought, he straightened his shoulders and walked back to the dining room, ready to face whatever came next.