Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift
As the group made their way back to Evie's house, the air was thick with unspoken tension. Ben, Jane, Gil, and the VKs walked ahead, their chatter muted under the weight of everything that had just happened. Harry and Estella trailed behind, their steps slower, quieter, separate from the rest.
Estella's arms were crossed over her chest, her brows still furrowed from her outburst at Ben. The frustration, the hurtâit was all still swirling inside her, but she didn't know how to express it anymore. Harry, sensing the storm still raging within her, walked closer, his hand brushing against hers.
"Y'alrigh', lass?" His voice was soft, lower than usual, his thick Scottish accent laced with genuine concern.
Estella scoffed, shaking her head. "What do you think?" she muttered, kicking a small rock in her path.
Harry sighed, tilting his head as he watched her. "Ah think ye need t' breathe," he told her simply. "Ye've been bottlin' that up for almost a year an' a half, love. It was bound t' spill over."
She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "I justâI thought I'd never have to see him again, you know? I thought I could move on, forget about it, but thenâ" She waved her hands in frustration. "Then he's there, standing in front of me, acting like he didn't just leave me to rot. And now he's looking at me like I'm still the girl who I used to be."
Harry hummed, watching her carefully. "Yer not tha' girl anymore, Stella," he said, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Ye don't need to be, especially not for him."
Estella glanced at him, her lips twitching slightly. "You always know what to say, don't you, Hook?"
Harry smirked. "Aye, well, gotta keep me girl from combustin', don' I?"
She let out a small laugh, the sound soft but real, a momentary break in the weight pressing down on her. But as soon as the sound left her lips, Ben's head turned slightly, glancing back over his shoulder. His expression was unreadable, but Estella could feel his gaze lingering on her.
She looked away first, her jaw tightening as she focused back on the path ahead. She wasn't ready for whatever look he was giving herâpity, regret, nostalgia, it didn't matter. She didn't want it.
Harry noticed, slipping his fingers around hers briefly before letting go just as quickly. A silent reassurance, a reminder that she wasn't alone in this.
Estella exhaled deeply, shaking her head. "Let's just get this over with."
Harry chuckled. "Aye, love. But I have a feelin' this night's far from over."
The energy in Evie's house was a strange mix of reunion and tension. As Ben walked ahead, stepping onto the patio, the doors burst open, and Mal launched into his arms. The two embraced tightly, a loving moment that should've felt heartwarming.
Jay and Celia shared a giggly exchange, their bond clear as they stood close, grinning like two kids with a secret. Meanwhile, Estella, Gil, and Uma found each other almost instinctively, their laughter coming easy despite everything they'd been through. Harry, ever the dramatic one, threw his arms around all of them, pulling them into a tight squeeze.
"Aye, look at us," he grinned. "Just like old times, eh?"
Estella chuckled, leaning into his side as she turned to Uma. "You good?" she asked, her tone softer than usual.
Uma nodded, eyes flicking between her and Gil. "Yeah. You?"
"Still breathin'," Estella smirked.
Harry snorted, pulling away but keeping close to her.
Meanwhile, Mal, still wrapped around Ben, pulled back just enough to admire his fangs and beard, giggling softly. The sight made Estella roll her eyes, though she couldn't deny the odd shift between Mal and Uma. There was something different nowâless hostility, more understanding.
But the moment didn't last. Mal's expression hardened, and she turned to Ben, her voice all business. "So we all think that Audrey could be at Fairy Cottage. We have no idea where it is. Did she ever take you there?"
Before Ben could answer, Estella cleared her throat. Her voice, usually sharp and confident, was quieter than anyone had heard it in a long time.
"Every Fairy Godmother's Day," she murmured.
Silence fell for a beat. Ben turned to her, his blue eyes heavy with somethingâregret, pain, guilt. She refused to meet his gaze, instead looking past him like he wasn't even there.
Harry, noticing the tension, leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of her head, his voice a low murmur against her ear. "Don' let it get in yer head, love. Ain't worth it."
She exhaled, steadying herself. Maybe Harry was right.
Doug, Gil, and Jane took the cue from Ben ti slip away, heading off to find Fairy Godmother while the rest of them braced for what was coming next.
The Enchanted Woods were eerily silent, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves beneath their feet as they moved through the darkness. The group crept carefully, keeping low and sticking to the trees, the shadows stretching long under the dim moonlight.
Ben and Mal took the lead, approaching an old gate wrapped in overgrown vines and wilting flowers. The wood creaked as Mal pushed it open, and the others trailed behind, keeping close. The cottage itself was dark and lifeless, its windows murky, its walls covered in ivy. Ben wasted no time, rushing ahead and slamming into the door with his shoulder.
Nothing. No movement. No life.
The group exchanged uneasy glances as Jay took the stairs two at a time, scanning the upper level. "No one's here," he called down grimly.
A loud bang from the broom closet shattered the silence.
Before he could react, Estella instinctively grabbed Ben and yanked him backward. Her grip was firm, protectiveâtoo natural. The realization hit her, and she quickly released him, brushing off her hands as if the contact burned, looking away awkwardly.
Jay rushed forward, pressing his face against the small window of the closet door. His brows furrowed before he swung it open.
There, huddled inside, was Chad. Whimpering. Curled into a tight ball like a terrified child.
Estella let out a long, exasperated sigh. Of course it's Chad.
Ben took a hesitant step forward. "Chad?"
The blond prince barely registered him. "I want my mommy," Chad sniffled, voice shaking.
Estella groaned louder than she meant to, unable to contain her irritation.
Chad suddenly turned his head, his bleary eyes widening when they landed on her. Before she could react, he lunged, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist in a desperate hug.
"Mommy?" he whimpered against her stomach.
The room went dead silent.
Estella stood frozen, her hands hovering in the air, an expression of absolute horror on her face.
Harry blinked, his eyes darting between her and the sniveling boy. Then, his lips curled into a wicked grin, and he let out a loud, maniacal cackle.
"Aye, I knew ye had a bit o' a motherly side, lass," he teased, but his eyes were already burning with something more dangerous.
Before Chad could register what was happening, Harry grabbed him by the back of his shirt and ripped him away from Estella.
"Off," Harry snarled, his grip tightening. His usual playful craziness darkened, and his hook shot up, pressing just below Chad's chin.
Chad whimpered, his terrified blue eyes flickering between Harry's wicked grin and the sharp curve of the metal.
Harry tilted his head, leaning in close. "Touch ma lass again, an' I'll make sure ye won't have any hands left t' do it with."
Chad swallowed audibly.
Before the pirate could take it any further, a gust of wind rattled the open door, drawing everyone's attention.
Chad, realizing the doorway was now unblocked, gasped dramatically.
"Is Audrey gone?" he asked, voice trembling.
No one had a chance to answer.
"FREEDOM!" Chad screeched, launching himself forward and bolting out the door at full speed.
Estella blinked, still recovering from the sheer absurdity of what just happened. She turned to Harry, who was still grinning like a madman, watching Chad's retreating figure with amused satisfaction.
"Ye alright, love?" he murmured, his voice lower now, his hook gently brushing her arm instead.
Estella exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "I hate that guy."
Harry chuckled, slinging an arm around her shoulder as they turned back to the group. "Aye, but admit itâye loved seein' 'im scared outta his wee posh mind."
She couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips. "Maybe a little."