After I Left, He Fell Apart

Gabriella's POV

A week later, I was discharged from the hospital, and Thomas took me home.

I had bought that house, a luxurious five bedroom house, under Thomas's name as a birthday gift to him. He had looked at me that day like I was his sun, and he announced that he would protect and cherish me all the days of my life.

I scoffed internally. I had been so stupid to believe his lies.

~

Thomas had been hovering around me all day.

From the moment we stepped into the house, he had been acting like the perfect fiancé. He cooked for me, he helped me take my bath, he adjusted the pillows, making sure I was comfortable. His eyes watched me carefully to make sure I was okay.

“Are you okay, baby?” he asked, sitting beside me. “Do you need anything?”

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “I’m fine.”

He reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. “You should rest. I don’t want you straining yourself.”

I almost laughed. Right. Because you care so much.

I watched him act concerned and worried. But inside, I was just waiting for him to leave.

Finally, in the evening, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Claire, but he quickly picked up the phone, covering the screen so that I wouldn't see it.

He read the message, then he sighed. “I need to handle something at the office. I'll be back very soon” He promised.

Good.

He leaned forward to kiss me, but I turned my head, causing his lips to brush my cheeks instead. He hesitated for a moment. “I’ll be back soon, Ella. Try to rest, okay?”

I nodded, keeping my expression blank. “Okay.”

The moment the door closed behind him, I got into action.

I quickly grabbed my phone, and dialed the number of the private investigator that I had been in contact with for a week now.

“Ms. Sullivan,” a deep voice greeted me with my maiden name. "I was expecting your call.”

“Tell me what you’ve found,” I said, wasting no time.

“I’ve traced the missing funds. Most of it was transferred into offshore accounts that your fiancé set up under different names.”

I closed my eyes, as I gripped the phone tighter. “How much?”

“A huge amount, and that's just for the ones I could find. There are still more. Some assets are still under your name, but he's been transferring them to himself by forging your signatures.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “I can't believe I didn't notice all this money leaving my accounts.”

I took a deep breath. “I want a full report. I need to know everything he has that belongs to me, and how to take back everything.”

“I’ll have the details ready for you tomorrow,” he confirmed.

“Good.”

The next step.

I grabbed a suitcase from the closet and started packing. I tossed out old belongings, and gathered things I no longer needed or wanted, like the matching pajamas I had gotten with Thomas.

When Thomas came home an hour later, he found me folding clothes, and throwing things away.

He frowned. “Ella? What are you doing?”

I turned to him with a flat stare. “Packing.”

He looked at the open suitcase, and the scattered clothes. He looked confused and nervous. “Packing for what?”

I shrugged, keeping my back to him

“For us,” I murmured. “We’re getting married, Thomas, things are about to change. We need a fresh start.”

His worry vanished instantly, and he smiled in satisfaction.

“You’re right,” he said, “It is a fresh start for us. Anything I can do to help?”

I shook my head. He had no idea that my fresh start wouldn’t include him.

~

That night, as he slept, I stole his phone. I tried opening it, but it wouldn't open.

I frowned. His password had been Claire's birthday, he said that she dared him to do it.

Looking back now, I realized it had been a big lie. I had believed him that time because I was naive and stupid, thinking that they were just friends, playing harmless games.

I racked my brain, trying to think of other options, but I quickly ran out of ideas. At the end, I returned the phone feeling frustrated and upset.

The next morning, before I woke up, Thomas had already woken up, and he served me breakfast in bed. Thomas had never done that before. The soft look in his eyes as he served me looked almost genuine, almost like he cared.

I scoffed internally as I picked the food. That was a stupid thought. He was obviously pretending, like always. At that point, I didn't have the appetite to eat.

“Are you going to invite your father to the wedding?” Thomas asked, as he sat beside me, watching as I ate.

I paused, glancing at him before I replied coldly. “No,”

Thomas sighed, “Ella, I know that things between the two of you have not been going well, but he's your father. He should be here for your wedding. I don't know what he did, but come on, can't you both work it out?” He said softly, placing his hand on my leg.

I almost flinched at his touch, but I forced myself to relax.

“I'll think about it.” I replied in a dismissive tone.

I furrowed my eyebrows when I noticed that his hand was creeping upwards.

“What are you doing?” I queried coldly.

He gave me a coy smile. “Come on, Ella. It's been a while since—”

I cut him off immediately. “Absolutely not. Get your hands off me! I was just discharged yesterday!” I snapped.

Thomas flinched at the tone of my voice. “I'm sorry,” he mumbled, then he walked out of the room with a hurt look on his face.