If there are people still interested in this story, I'm really sorry for how long I've left this and this certainly isn't my best chapter but I'm just getting back into it. I've just been insanely busy recently but hopefully I'll be able to update more regularly soon. Sorry this is quite short!

"Nick, I don't know what you're talking about." I desperately try to conceal the tears brimming in my eyes. I can't believe it, I can't believe he knows, I can't believe he's reacting this way, I can't believe that in just a few short moments everyone here will know how pathetic I am.

"I saw you." He says as people continue to look on in confusion, including me.

"What?"

"I saw you, with him." I continue to look at him in confusion, beginning to doubt what I was originally so sure this was about as he continues. "I saw you and Peter."

"What do you mean, me and Peter?" I say but before I can say any more, Bethany has interrupted.

"Why don't I take Holly here out for a birthday walk," she suggests as I nod gratefully before they leave, thankful that, although she wouldn't remember, this wouldn't happen in front of her as the rest of the other kids follow Michelle to go on the walk.

There's a short silence as I look at him, desperately trying to decipher why he's acting like this.

"I know that you're having an affair." Nick states as my eyes widen at his accusation.

"Excuse me?" I say, not able to comprehend that he could think that I'd do this to him but thankful that he hasn't found out the truth about Robert.

"I swear to god Carla. Do not lie to me! Not again! I know the truth, I mean it's not like you haven't got form." He says aggressively as most of the guests just stand by, watching.

I can't help but flinch at his words. It's not that his anger is bringing back bad memories, it's the spite I can hear in his voice. It's the fact that the only reason he believes that I'd do this to him is that he thinks I've done it before, even though that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Nick, I swear. I didn't- I'm not-" I desperately attempt to explain, but he cuts me off.

"I said don't lie to me!" He yells, so close to my face that, if it was anyone other than Nick, I know I wouldn't be able to handle.

Aidan quickly notices my discomfort from across the room as he hastily steps in, lowering his voice as he tries to calm him,

"Mate, I think you need to calm down."

"Oh, do I, mate? Actually, I think my whore of a girlfriend needs to explain what the fuck is going on! How could you? I mean, with him of all people? Peter Barlow?"

I try to clarify the words in my mind, anxious to explain but I don't even get the chance before Nick carries on.

"You know what, why should I even wait for an answer? We all know what it's gonna be!" Nick continues, as there's a silence and people watch on, trying to figure out how they should respond. "We all know that you're just gonna lie, again. I mean, old habits do die hard after all and we all know you have a track record for being a lying, cheating bitch."

Yet again, I find myself flinching at his words, tears threatening to fall from my eyes as I watch the man I love talk about me in a way that I can't handle. It's nothing I haven't heard before, but to hear it from him is something new entirely.

"Alright, that's enough!" Johnny suddenly intervenes, pushing Nick back slightly as they exchange angry looks and I just stand in shock behind Aidan. "You need to leave, right now." He continues, speaking considerably calmer than what anyone would expect.

"Fine." Nick replies, simply, looking back at me once more before heading out of the door and I swear I can hear my heart break.

The guests of the party look around, awkwardly as I crumble. As much as I want to hold it in, as much as I don't want this to unfold in front of so many of our neighbours, I just can't help it as I'm pulled into a hug.

I don't even register who it is. I don't even register who's around me anymore.

I just break. There's no other way to describe it.

I've broken before, but there's always someone to save me, to put me back together and yet, this time, I'm not sure there will be.

Please feel free to let me know what you think of this chapter by leaving a review. Thank you for reading and thank you to the people who still review this fic to let me know that you're still reading.

I kinda forgot to acknowledge it but after the last chapter, I hit 20 chapters and 10,000 views so I'd like to thank everyone who's read, reviewed and subsequently helped me with this fic. It means the world.