A/N: Votes and comments are always appreciated <3

                                                                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I turned my body to face Draco, as he walked closer. "Draco, I've been wanting to apologize as well, just thought you'd never listen!" I exclaimed. "I'm the awful wife."

"No, I should've known...we were both heavily under the influence..." his words caused a flood with memories from that night. "...you probably didn't do what you were doing.." 

His voice was crouched, and tranquil. "When you told me, that, the night was a just mistake to you, it felt like a bond had been broken." He continued explaining. "It was probably me that went wrong somewhere.."

No, it was me that was at fault.

I found the brawn and courage in me. 

I built strength in me to confess my love to Draco. Various thoughts raced around my mind as I thought of possible ways to just spit the words out. I didn't want to make it way too corny nor did I want to make the confession completely emotionless.

"Draco, I want to tell you something," I remarked. That's it. I'm going to do it, I'm going to tell him I love him. 

He waited, he really waited. His face lit up with joy and hope.

I love you Draco. That's all you have to say Emerlyn, that's all.

However, when it was time for the words to reach my tongue. They couldn't. I couldn't. It was as though a harsh apple was stuck in my throat.

"I just remembered something to do.." I replied the hope on his face dimmed down, with an extraordinary amount of disappointment exposing him. 

I felt so foolish. I genuinely wanted someone to smack me, and force the words in my heart out of my mouth, and then I'd thank them, worship them for letting me confess my love.

Serena would've been perfect for the role.

I missed Serena.

                                                                - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

With a heavy, disheartened heart. I walked through the dark, undecorated, lifeless parts of the manor. 

Finally enough, I let silent tears befall me. I considered people who could cry their heart out and scream silently without making a noise extremely tough. It was a task to keep myself from sniffing or making any noises.

My hands met my knees, as I slowly buried my head in between; isolating myself from the world and sharing this moment only with myself. Why was love so hard?

Why did love never work out for me? Such thoughts circled around in my mind, not daring to find an answer.

                                                             - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DECEMBER 31st.

The last day of 2004, and the most awaited night of all. New Year's Eve. Even though Draco's room was the most isolated of all, and the furthest away from the kitchen, I could smell the delicious scent of all the crispy, delicious food being created downstairs. 

I was proud to say Draco and I had resolved our issues, and the war between us had ended, yet nothing felt the same. Our marriage had taken another phase.

Narcissa had informed me to get dressed around five, as the makeup artists and hairdresser were going to arrive soon. I had slipped on the gown, despite it leaving nagging scratches on various parts of my body.

 In front of the vanity, my hand explored the back of my dress trying to find the hidden zip. However, I embarrassingly failed, until I heard a quiet chuckle. Chuckling at my attempts to zip my dress.

"Stop laughing at me." I rolled my eyes, my fingers still searching for the zipper on my lower back. 

From the mirror, I observed Draco approaching me. He placed one hand on my left hip, and with his free hand zipped the dress. "Gosh, that was such a struggle." I let out a breath of relief, facing him as I slightly leaned onto the vanity.

A thought crossed my mind. I should confess to Draco now.

"I want to tell you something.."

"Listening," he replied as he gently grasped the small bottle of cologne, and began spraying the strongly scented cologne on himself.

"I..."

The scarf of guilt was tied around my throat preventing me from letting out another word. I felt as though if I let out another word, the scarf would end up choking me.

Just then, we heard a knock on the door. The makeup - artists must've arrived. Draco opened the door, welcoming them in. There were three young women-around my age, who entered with bags. 

Draco soon exited the room, making me endure as foolish yet again. 

                                                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

5:48 PM

My makeup was finally done, I faced myself in the mirror shocked at the talent the women acquired with them. My hair rested elegantly on the sides of my shoulders framing my raven gown perfectly.

I placed my hands on the black railing, viewing the guests who had already started to arrive. My eyes met Draco's who was downstairs talking to a friend of his, his eyes trailed mine.

He was also dressed purely black as well with a white collar. His blonde hair fluffed in parts decorating his face perfectly.

I walked downstairs, his eyes fixed on me and my eyes glued onto him, his gaze trailing mine. We only faced each other from a distance as I fiddled around with my earrings and my pitch-black gloves. I could feel a pair of eyes intensely watching me.

I knew he was only drawing himself distant due to the line between us, he'd only break it, If I did.

"Is this your daughter-in-law, Narcissa?" Questioned an elderly dressed woman in a yellowish gown.

"Ah yes! Was just looking for you, Emerlyn!" Narcissa turned over to me, dressed in a modest red gown with gentle hints of makeup done.

"Oh, Narcissa your son and her are just like the sun and the moon!" The elderly woman was in awe, I flashed an awkward smile in return. My eyes searched for Draco, but he was nowhere to be found. 

6:30 PM.

The majority of the guests had arrived, and the ballroom finally opened its door. The room shone scintillating with lights. A large room with white and golden decorated walls gleamed at its brightest, with hot, melting candles floating at the ceiling. 

The melody of music plunged into our ears, charming everyone as couple by couple entered the ballroom. However, I was busy playing a game- finding Draco Malfoy who had seemed to disappear. 

There was one spot I had not looked at, the terrace.

Climbing the mountains of stairs, I heard mumbling noises, my heart dropping. Don't tell me it's her, please don't tell me it's her, please don't tell me it's her, please don't tell me it's her, please don't tell me it's her, please don't tell me it's her.

It was Pansy and Draco.

 I knew I had interrupted them mid-conversation as both of the two turned to view me and quit talking. Pansy was dressed in a dark emerald green ball- gown with her hair done in a stylish up-do. My eyes stung in hot, livid tears as I turned my back on them.

Ultimately leaving.

I rushed through the circular stairs as sprightly as I possibly could, Draco rushing after me. "Emerlyn, listen to me!" 

I didn't respond. My husband is a cheater, there were only soft cries feeling the room to respond to him. "Emerlyn!" 

There were plenty of guests gathered around almost every part of the manor. I roughly pushed the door to the opening of the library, Draco joining the library.

The exquisitely done make-up had only gone in vain, as the mascara slowly decorated the places beneath my eyes. "Emerlyn, I don't see what's wrong," Draco spoke, placing his hand on my shoulder as a way of assurance.

I yanked his hand away from me. "What difference does it make to you?" Draco continued.

"You told me yourself, you didn't care if I was with Pansy."

Well, I did now. 

More tears flowed. "My husband is a filthy cheater." I dramatically cried. "I'm married to a fucking traitor!" I accused him of such titles, as I had continued crying, there were tears being held by my thick lashes.

"Don't accuse me like that!" He retorted. "I don't get it, you told me yourself-"

"Don't you get it, Draco?" I stood up directly facing him. My tone was infuriated and wrathful.

"Why do you care?" He responded, not intimidated by the sudden gesture. 

"Because.."

Those words were so close to reaching my tongue. 

"Because?" 

"Because I fucking love you, Draco Lucius Malfoy."

A/N:  don't you readers love a good cliffhanger?