Chapter Text
EDIT: This story is MINE and original. The only other copy of this work is on Ao3 under DeeLa17. Any other copies or translations outside of these users are not mine. Please refrain from stealing or publishing on any other platform WITHOUT my consent. If you wish to translate it into another language, feel free to contact me.
****
NOW
Our marriage was beautiful.
Liam thought. He couldn't believe he was in this situation. Staring at the London skyline, his heart was at his feet, completely shattered. The day was grey, and cold, and kept raining. Staring at the buildings, watching the life go on as his own crumbled down, Liam wished it was all a dream. Wishing someone would come out and yell 'punke'd or 'cut!' Clutching his fists inside his pants, he dug his nails into his palms bringing him back to his gloomy reality.
Our marriage was fucking beautiful.
It was. On a beautiful summer day in June, 200 people - friends and family. Amazing pictures, moments and memories were created in the countryside near London. His love looked amazing coming down the aisle in a tailored suit, with his mother and father at each side. They cried when meeting at the makeshift altar at the vineyard. They swore eternal love, and everyone chimed in. A weekend to remember, five years ago. And now...it was over.
All was of it was fucking over.
Liam wanted to cry. He had cried every single day and wanted to continue to cry until he was completely dry. He had been a fool. A complete fool. Working on something that couldn't be fixed and bending over backwards for nothing!
He wanted to cry. To scream. To break everything in that board room. But, for the time being, he needed to be cool. Liam had lost his temper a few days ago, going to a dark place he had never been before. It had been scary for the other party and himself.
Now, it was time to be civil.
It was time to be an adult and deal with the concept of ending. Of things being done. Of issues being resolved. There was no going back now. Not with all the lies, the deceit, the half-truths; the hidden texts, the secret meetings, and the guilt-tripping. No. He was done.
Liam opened his eyes, looking at the skyline. It was raining harder this time. His heart was so heavy with pain. Why does love hurt so much? Has anyone ever measured the power of heartbreak? Was that possible?
His mind went to places picking every single lie apart. While he was working towards his family, investing in their future, the other party was shitting all over it.
Liam wanted to cry.
"Hi!" Looking over his shoulder, Liam recognized his long-time friend and solicitor Denise King, coming into the board room of the courthouse. The woman wore a fashionable grey pantsuit, with a sating red blouse, matching her amazing briefcase. "I thought I was late!"
"No, you're all right," Liam replied, watching the woman go around the table towards him. The solicitor seemed visibly flustered. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, yes. Jesus, how does one move around in this town? The traffic is insane! It's impossible to drive!" Denise complained as she retrieved her items from the briefcase, and placed them on the table. Liam stood his ground by the large window; he knew Denise would go mental the moment she looked at him. "And the Uber driver was super rude! He had the music so loud that and completely ignored me. I am giving him one fucking star, that's for sure. Besides..."
Denise turned to look at Liam and her voice disappeared. Her eyes went big, and her mouth fell open.
Liam moved in closer to calm her down.
"It's nothing."
"Liam-"
"You should see the other guy."
"Jokes? Looking like that? Really?"
"I'm fine. It's okay."
"God! What happened?" Liam's left eye was darkened, and his cheek was completely swollen. His eyebrow showed a cut held on by the thinnest band-air and his lip showed a scar as well. Denise looked at his hands seeing the scars on his knuckles. "Liam! What the fuck?!"
"I'm fine."
The solicitor took a deep breath and reassured herself.
"What happened? Who did this to you? Were you robbed?"
Liam exhaled before answering. This was not going to be easy.
"No."
"Does it hurt?"
"No."
"How did this happen? Oh my God!"
Liam showed her a crooked smirk
'It's nice to see you care about me."
The woman rolled her eyes:
"You may be an dick but somehow you're my client."
"Thank you? I could almost feel the love."
"Can you answer me or...?"
"I..." Liam exhaled. "Let's just say our conversation didn't go as planned."
"Conversation with who?" Liam didn't reply, giving his advisor enough time to remember. Then, Denise's mouth fell open again once she recalled. "Did you fight him?"
"I lost it. I got so angry..."
"Jesus Christ, Liam Payne!" Denise replied, placing her hands on her hips. "Do you understand what this could mean?"
"I do."
"No, I guess you don't!" Denise argued back. "We're at your first divorce hearing, Liam. You're telling me you fought your soon-to-be ex-husband! You physically fought him! Do you understand what that looks like? For you?"
"I know. I was there."
"Don't be funny! You can't be funny. What happened?"
Liam wished he could remember properly. One moment the conversation was going relatively well, and then it was all a foggy memory of rage. Then, it was all over and there was blood on his knuckles.
"We met so we could talk. To settle things peacefully-"
"Against express orders from both parties, may I add-"
"I had the papers and everything, so we'd know how to divide the items." The businessman, closed his eyes, replaying it in his mind. They were in the office, reading everything out loud and agreeing. Then, something happened. "But, things got out of hand. We said some things. I punched him. He punched back."
Denise wandered away from Liam to the end of the table, looking away from him. The seconds dragged by before she came back with her game face.
"Will he press charges?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. He wouldn't."
"Was someone else there?" Liam nodded quietly, refusing the acknowledge the presence of the third party. "Fuck! Did you hit him?"
"Pushed him. He was lucky I punched the fucking wall and not his nose."
"All right, Rocky. Is he going to press charges?" Liam didn't care what the third party did or thought. "Okay. We better hope none of them press charges or this will be very complicated for you."
"I don't know how it happened."
"You shouldn't have seen him in the first place. You guys have been separated for weeks now. Everything was going fine."
"Fine? For whom? Not for me!" Liam argued. "I'm feeling like shit. I was fucking used, lied to and humiliated for weeks, Denise. All of this, while he was...living his fantasy, I guess. Behind my back! So, it's not going to be fine."
"Okay, you're hurt. I get it. It's not easy. But, right now, you need to man up and relax." Denise demanded. "We are doing this the civilized way, without kicking and punching. There's too much at stake here. We are adults. We will talk."
The boardroom door opened again, welcoming two men in suits.
"Good morning," The men greeted. Liam and Denise replied in unison and together took seats at the table.
There was no moment for chit-chat, this was a war room where two parties would divide their assets and go their own ways. Liam sat quietly, hands clutched under the table, while next to him Denise prepared, by reading the necessary documents.
This was the primary hearing for the divorce. Here the reason for the separation would be divulged, all the assets listed and both parties would agree on the fashion the assets would be divided or given to either side. This first hearing would dictate the tone for the following sessions.
The back door of the boardroom opened, and a man in a judge's robe entered. They all stood up, welcoming the Judge into the room.
"Good morning," The Judge opened his file, reading the necessary notes. "Are all parties present?"
"Your honour," One of the solicitors on the other party interjected. "My client is currently parking his car. Will be here in five minutes."
Without looking up from his notes, the Judge added: "Counsellor, I suggest you tell your client that is in his best interest to come in on time."
"Yes, Your Honour."
"We will wait for five minutes. If your client is not here, we will reschedule."
The room fell with heavy silence and Liam's heart raced inside his chest. He hadn't seen him since the fight. Complete silence. Liam's eyes were glued to the hallway, dreading the moment he'd see him again.
Then it came. He heard the familiar steps and recognized the shadow.
Zayn turned the corner in a quick step and pushed the glass door. He looked as beautiful as ever; perfectly groomed hair, freshly shaved face and designer sunglasses, which completed the look. He was all dressed in black, with a long coat and turtleneck. Liam's heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning. I'm sorry for my tardiness..." Zayn explained, greeting his advisors and everyone in the room.
"Mr Malik, next time do be on time." The Judge ordered.
"Of course," Zayn replied, taking a seat at the table.
The magistrate glared at Zayn with an unamused look.
"Mr Malik, the sun is not out today. Will you please remove your sunglasses?"
Zayn removed his sunglasses and the room stood still. Even Liam was surprised. Had he punched that hard?
The young artist sported a violent abrasion on his cheek, and his temple, and a large cut on his eyebrow. He made sure to look at Liam to show his scrapes.
The Judge looked at Zayn with a frown. Then, he stared at Liam. The old man removed his glasses and placed them on the table. He was no fool.
"Counsellors, are you aware of the bruises on both of your clients' faces?"
"Yes, Your Honour." Denise cut in, quickly putting out the fire. "My client's bruises are a result of sparring with a friend."
"Sparring?"
"Yes," Liam added, clearing his throat. "I owned a gym, now it's a wellness centre. We have kickboxing lessons. My partner went a little too hard."
The old Judge nodded but saw right through the bullshit. He turned to Zayn's team.
"Was your client sparring as well?"
"No," The counsellor replied, with the same quickness. "My client had a toy thrown at him."
"A toy?"
Zayn leaned forward. "Yeah, Jaimie is in his terrible twos, and everything is a throwing weapon."
The Judge looked at Zayn. Then at Liam. There wasn't much to be done, as neither party had filed a report or affirmed to be a victim of an attack. They could lie to hell for all he cared.
"Gentleman, as people say, ignorance is bliss. I hope there will be no more sparring or toys thrown, or I will demand a third-party investigation." The Judge announced with a raised eyebrow. "Am I clear?"
Both parties agreed. The magistrate picked up his glasses and opened the session, hitting the gavel on his table.
"My name is Judge Harrison Dolce, I will be presiding this first hearing for the separation of one Liam Payne-Malik and one Zayn Payne-Malik. We are here to access all assets between the couple and try to come to terms with the best scenario for the two. In case we don't settle here, we move to court to divide the assets. To avoid confusion, both parties will be referred to by their names before the union."
Denise intervened once more "Both parties have decided to separate amicably and do not wish to go to court."
Zayn's team agreed.
The Judge did too. "Very well. From what I can see here, there is a child involved?"
Denise moved forward. "Yes, your honour. Jaimie is Liam Payne's son, but the couple decided on joint custody now."
"Is Mr Malik the adoptive father or has he any biological connection to the child?"
"No, sir."
"Then legally, Mr Malik is not allowed to have custody of one Jaimie Payne, unless Mr Payne signs a legal document." The Judge added. "I understand this is a way for peace and there is a connection here between Mr Malik and the child, but let it be known that Mr Malik does not have any rights in regards to the child."
The Judge turned to Zayn, looking over his glasses. "Just so you know, in case you decide to move forward with a custody hearing."
"This is an amicable decision, Your Honour. As Mr Malik was also involved in the child's education and they share a bond." Zayn's solicitor intervened.
Zayn didn't show his emotions but nodded in silence.
"Right," The magistrate announced, clearly unamused. "Mr Malik, if you please..."
The oldest member of Zayn's team removed a paper sheet from his case and began reading. "As was stated by my colleague, this is an amicable separation, so all items will be divided equally, except for one.
' We begin with the five establishments that were previously known as 'Payne Fitness', now turned into Cowell Centre for Wellness & Health, which list Mr Malik as an investor..." While the advisors read the list, Liam's eyes focused on Zayn. Even bruised and hurt, he was the most beautiful man Liam had ever seen.
Our wedding was beautiful.
Zayn's eyes met his and it was impossible to decipher what was going on there. He seemed regretful, sorrowful...but at the same time, his chin was raised high and his shoulders back. Zayn was secure and confident. His soon-to-be ex-husband covered his mouth with his left hand and Liam saw the naked finger where once was a golden ring.
Zayn's eyes went to his phone, placed on the table, where the notification light blinked - a ridiculous thing he kept, despite Liam telling him to have it off. Zayn picked up his phone, unlocked it and read the message.
"The couple also shared a three-bedroom house in London. Two cars...." Liam watched carefully as Zayn read the message and then dared to smirk. No, smile. Smile at the text. It was a loving smile. A smile once only reserved for him and now he was giving it to someone else. "We also have listed here a small cottage in the countryside..."
Suddenly, Liam's bad way gave in. He leaned over Denise whispering something. The lawyer frowned, asking him if he was sure. Liam nodded and sat back on his chair, looking straight at a smiling Zayn.
"Very well..." The Judge replied after all properties were listed. "All the items are going to be divided between the two parties, correct?"
"Our client suggested a complete division of the assets, he's willing to sell his share of the gyms. Mr Malik's only request is that the country house be passed on to him. He is willing to give Mr Payne the necessary amount and pay for all the documents to have the house."
The magistrate nodded, turning his attention to Denise. Liam's eyes kept on Zayn, who continued to text and couldn't hide his smile.
"Counsellor, does your client agree to these terms?"
Denise cleared her throat, "No."
Zayn's smile faded and his eyes went straight to Liam. The colour drained from his face and Liam felt victorious.
"My client has no objection to all the other items, but Mr Payne will not give up his state in the countryside," Denise announced with certainty. Zayn leaned forward, with a look of bewilderment. He wasn't smiling now. "The house was bought by Mr Payne, so it belongs to Mr Payne."
"Liam..." Zayn called, with a pleading voice. "I paid for the renovation of the house."
His solicitor leaned over, begging Zayn to not address Liam directly.
"My client feels the house belongs to him, as all the necessary documents say so," Denise announced coldly. "Paying for the renovation does not mean one owns the house. Legally, the house belongs to my client."
"Liam, please. We agreed." Zayn insisted again, as his advisor begged him to quiet down. "Why are you doing this?"
Feeling like the powerful man he was and with his mean streak gaining power within him, Liam leaned forward, looking right into the eyes of the man he once loved.
"I am not going to give you the house, Zayn."
"Liam..." Denise called, but his client ignored him keeping a laser focus on Zayn.
"You honestly think, I'm going to give you the house where are you fucking cheated on me? Where you lived your little romance, behind my back? My house, Zayn! It's my fucking house!"
"Mr Payne!" The judge intervened.
Liam ignored.
"I bought that house for us, and you soiled it with your fucking actions! Now, you expect me to give it to you?!" Liam replied with anger. "Are you mental?"
"Mr Payne, this is your last warning- "
"I'll rather burn that fucking house to the ground than give it to you and little boyfriend!"
A sharp sound echoed around the room as the judge slammed his gavel on the table demanding order.
Liam gave Zayn a look full of pain and anger.
"We will take a twenty-minute break to cool off. Mr Payne, I suggest taking a walk and drinking some water to cool all that anger."
Liam was the first to walk out of the room, stomping down the hall, ignoring the calls from his solicitor. He kept walking until he found a bathroom. Liam pushed the door open, stepped into a cubicle and slammed the door shut.
Sitting on the toilet, he allowed his head to fall on his hands. The tears were coming up his eyes and he couldn't control them. The anger had disappeared and now it was just pain.
The hands fell on his mouth, covering his sobs and the need to scream out.
Our wedding was beautiful
But, you ended it.
****
Zayn walked out of the room, looking around for Liam. His soon-to-be ex-husband was usually kind and loving, but whenever Liam's mean side popped up, he could be destructive. Whenever his bad mood came up, Liam was evil enough to burn everything to the ground. That was worrisome.
Zayn felt guilty. All of this weighed on his mind and his heart. He had tried to be strong, play correct and be just, but...blast his heart. Blast this tempestuous feeling that caught him off guard! Deep down, Zayn couldn't ignore that he loved Liam. They had shared a friendship and love for years, it was impossible not to have a remnant of that feeling for someone who had been alongside him for such a long time. Those feelings, paired with everything that happened, left him full of sorrow.
Sorrow for the lies, for the pain, for the shadow games, but...he couldn't help it. His heart had been taken by storm. A storm that was impossible to ignore.
Liam hadn't been the perfect husband, far from it. He had lied, manipulated, twisted and fabricated more than once trying to pull Zayn towards him.
Both sides here were full of ego, vanity and possession. But even though, Liam had behaved like shit, Zayn's heart was heavy still with guilt for his share.
Liam, I am sorry.
His phone rang in his hand, and he picked it up hastily.
"Hi. No, we're on a break. It's going terribly." Zayn explained walking down the hall and looking for Liam. "No, he's not going to give up the house. I don't know why. He's...he's hurt. Liam is...I don't know what it is. No. No. Don't come here. It won't be...Baby, listen to me, don't come here. This is between us, and it was bad enough what happened last time we were together."
Zayn spotted Denise coming back towards him and quickly walked towards her.
"Listen, I'm going to see if I can reason with Denise. Yeah. It'll be okay. I'll call. I love you too..." Zayn ended the call coming closer to the advisor who had stopped dead in her tracks, waiting for him. "Denise..."
"Nope. Don't talk to me, Zayn."
"You need to reason with him."
"It's Liam's decision."
"It's a fucking house! He has enough money to buy another one!"
"Well, he doesn't want to give it up," The woman walked around Zayn heading back to the boardroom and Zayn shadowed her down the hall. "I'm just doing my job here."
"He's being petty."
"Don't you think he has the right too?" Denise asked over her shoulder. "You broke his heart."
"Really? You're saying that to me? Wasn't he a dick to you too?"
The lawyer stopped and turned
"Work is work. Champagne is champagne, Zayn. Liam is my client-"
"And he treated you shitty all the while you worked for him at the company and now you took him as a client for his divorce; which begs the question: are you a divorce lawyer?"
Denise arched an eyebrow:
"Are you questioning my professional capabilities?"
"No, I'm reminding you who Liam is. He's dangerous. You know it. I know it."
"I only know facts-"
"You know more than enough."
Denise examined the bruises on his face.
"Did you put up a fight at all or did you hope his anger would numb your guilt?" Zayn looked down at his feet. "What, you wanted him to punch you to death?"
"I am sorry for what I did. I am not proud. But, Liam is not a saint here." Zayn sighed. "I want that house-"
"I'm his solicitor-"
"You know how he can be. Do you honestly think I wanted to reach the point where we punched each other in the face?"
Denise grabbed Zayn by the arm pulling him to an empty room and then closed the door behind her.
"I've known the two of you for years. The other guys as well. I worked for Liam. I know how much of a dick he can be. I'm not naive enough to think he didn't provoke you. How do I know that? Because he has as many bruises on his face as you do and I know you'd never react without a trigger."
The advisor sighed:
"The truth is you asked for a divorce on account of wanting to end this relationship to be with your lover. That's it. You knew what you were doing. Both of you knew. This is what a divorce is: messy, petty, hurtful.'
'You can't now cry over spilled milk and be mad when Liam is acting out his revenge." Denise approached her friend, grabbing both his hands. "I'm looking at the facts and what is in front of me. If he doesn't want to give you something, it's in his right not to. Accept that none of this will come easy for you."
Zayn inhaled and then blew the air out of his lips. The decision was made.
"Then neither will it be for him. He built his little empire with half of my money. I can play ugly too."
"Looking forward to seeing you in the ringue."
Denise squeezed his hands one final time. The woman opened the door and walked out, leaving Zayn alone in an empty room.
The artist understood the depth of his actions and that none of this would come easy. If he had the power to see into the future, perhaps he would've done things differently. Lied less. Hidden nothing. Come out pure and honest about everything.
See Liam's true intentions sooner.
His phone pinged with a text message, and the artist left the room in a hurry. On his way to the elevators, he spotted his advisors, casually chatting in the hallway.
No.
He didn't want to talk to them. He needed safety and comfort. So, he pushed the closest door revealing the emergency stairs. The artist ran down the steps nearly tripping on himself. Leaving all the nervousness behind, his heartbeat fast with the prospect of what he might find in the lobby of the building.
Pushing the emergency doors forward, Zayn walked into the lobby.
Casually, he walked towards the reception, searching for a familiar face in the crowd of weird faces.
That's when he saw him.
Stubborn as ever, but equally loving and pleasing. Standing by the double doors under the skylight of this gloomy place, like the main character in a romantic movie. He wore dark skinny jeans, with a designer shirt, a long coat and a hat hiding his messy hair. And, just like the first time they met after all those years, the world stopped.
Harry Styles.
Fucking hell
It didn't seem real still.
Zayn forced himself to meet him halfway, pocketing his hands to have some sort of control. With each step, he melted a bit. Once they were close enough to be civil in a public place, they stood facing one another in complete silence. Zayn's brown eyes, searching Harry's sometimes blue, sometimes green, eyes. Both were unable to hide a smirk on their lips and a light blush on their cheeks.
Contrary to Zayn's bruised-up face, Harry's face didn't sport a mark of that night. He had been lucky that Liam's giant fist met the wall above his head.
"I told you not to come," Zayn commented under his breath.
"I'm stubborn," Harry responded, with hands behind his back." I don't make good decisions."
They smiled again, but Zayn's smile didn't last long. It wasn't right to feel the butterflies in his stomach when Liam was a few floors up completely shattered.
"You shouldn't be here, baby. It's not good. Liam's not...being good."
"I want to be here for you, honey. You're not alone in this. I fucked up too."
"No, no. It's on me." Zayn replied, with a sigh. "Go home. I'll meet you there."
Harry leaned forward a bit and whispered "I am stubborn Zed. The more you tell me to stay put, the more I'll come. Don't you know that by now?"
Harry landed a kiss on his bruised cheek and Zayn blushed even more.
"God..." Zayn whispered. "You almost make it worthwhile."
"I do, don't I?" Harry smirked. "We're not evil, right?"
Zayn bit his lips in uncertainty.
"I don't think we are. We just went about it the wrong way, baby."
"What was he like?"
"Fucking fuming," Zayn replied with an ache. "He's...hurting. Denise thinks things won't be easy. He's looking for...I don't know...revenge maybe."
"I'll be here, then," Harry replied with a raised chin. "I won't let him bully you."
"I don't think your presence will be a good thing, baby."
Harry approached Zayn, grabbing his hand and kissing it, as he had done so many times before.
"I'm here now, honey. I'm fighting for you and us. Liam can scream and punch, but I'm not going. We waited to be together for five years. I'm not letting you go."
Zayn's smile returned "You're a walking Nicholas Sparks novel, Harry."
Ignoring they were in public, Harry leaned in for a kiss on Zayn's lips.
****
At that exact moment, the elevator doors opened and Liam, accompanied by Denise, stepped out. He did see the kiss and he froze in place. The three parties find themselves in the same space once more.
Liam's heart sunk in as he saw that same smile on Zayn's "slips. But, what set him off was that Harry was there. His friend.
They are still together.
Casually, Denise grabbed his arm and pressed her fingers to his skin.
"Don't do anything stupid,"
Liam exhaled "I wouldn't think of it."
Inside his chest, a tornado of anger brewed with each step they took...