After I Left, He Fell Apart

Gabriella's POV

Thomas didn't leave like I thought he would. Instead, he came back up a few minutes later to apologize.

“I wasn't thinking, I was insensitive. I'm sorry.” He said softly.

I forced a smile, nodding briefly before I continued typing on my phone.

His face brightened.

A knock sounded on the door, and before we could respond, the door opened.

Claire walked in like she owned the place. That was how she always did.

“Hello lovebirds.” She sang, but I could see a dark look in her eyes. “I hope I didn't spoil the moment. Today is your dress and suit fitting day for the wedding. We can't be late.”

I frowned at her. “Go wait downstairs for us, and next time knock on the front door and wait for someone to open the door for you. Don't just barge in” I said firmly.

There was shocked silence for a moment as they both stared at me.

Claire furrowed her eyebrows at me for a moment, looking confused, then she forced a smile. “Don't be absurd, Ella. I can't remember the last time I knocked. This is like my second home.”

I resisted the urge to scoff at her. “Well, you need to start knocking now. We need privacy.” I replied firmly.

Claire turned to Thomas for help, but he shrugged.

“Ella is right, Claire. You need to start knocking.”

Claire gaped at him in disbelief. He gave her a look, and she clenched her jaw in anger, before she swallowed her rage down, forcing another smile.

“Okay, got it. Now, hurry up. We have a lot of things to do.” She sang.

I didn’t argue when Claire insisted on sitting in the front seat when we entered the car. She smirked in victory, teasing me about wanting to sit close to her in-law. I didn't reply her as I simply got into the back seat

I kept quiet throughout, but Claire kept talking. She kept reaching for Thomas’s hand as she spoke, but I noticed that he kept drawing his hand away.

I stared out the window, uninterested.

By the time we arrived at the luxurious store, Claire looked so excited. “Ella, I can't wait to see you in your dress!” she squealed.

Immediately I wore my dress for a few seconds, I quickly took it off. There was no use when I wasn't getting married.

Behind me, Claire and Thomas were getting fitted for their own outfits. Thomas looked handsome and charming in his tailored suit. Claire clung to him, helping him to adjust his tie and clothes like a wife.

I sat on a chair in the store, rubbing my temples as I waited for Claire to change back so we could go.

Claire’s voice called out from behind me.

“Oh, Ella, do you mind?”

I turned and annoyance flicked through me as I stared at her.

Claire stood in the middle of the room, wearing my dress.

My wedding dress.

She twirled slightly, watching herself in the mirror. “I just wanted to see how it looked on me,” she said with a soft giggle. “I hope you don’t mind.”

To my surprise, Thomas was glaring at her fiercely. “Claire, take that off. That's Ella's dress.” He scolded her sharply.

Claire frowned at him with surprise on her face. “I'm just messing around, Thomas. Chill.”

“Well, it's not funny.” Thomas snapped.

The store owner walked in at that moment, oblivious to the tension in the room. She smiled. “You two make such a perfect couple,” she commented, gesturing to Claire and Thomas.

Thomas opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, I spoke first.

“Yes,” I said smoothly. “They do.”

A strange, unreadable look crossed Thomas’s face, as he stared at me. Claire, on the other hand, looked very smug.

I just smiled coolly with a blank expression on my face.

On the way back, when Claire insisted on sitting in the front, Thomas refused vehemently, and threatened to leave Claire behind if she refused to stay at the back seat. Claire wasn't pleased. She kept grumbling in the back seat.

~

The next day, I fell ill. In the morning, I could barely move.

I felt so weak. My head was pounding, and breathing was difficult. I didn’t know what was wrong, but I could barely keep my eyes open.

Thomas was by my side throughout.

He held a cloth to my forehead, whispering softly to me. “Shh, Ella. I’m here, baby. Just rest.”

He stroked my hair, spoon-fed me, and made sure I was comfortable. He stayed by my side all day and night, never leaving, with concern in his eyes.

I could feel my heart soften towards him.

What if he did care? I knew what I heard that day, but what if I had been wrong?

Maybe… maybe I had misunderstood. I could ask him to explain.

The next morning, I was better, but I was still tired. Thomas sat beside me, watching me eat the toast he had made.

“Feeling better?” he asked softly.

I swallowed my bite, nodding. “Yeah.”

He gave me a warm smile. “Good.”

There was silence for a moment, and several questions ran through my mind.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I hesitated, then I replied. “I think you should change your password. I don't want Claire's birthday to be your phone password. Change it to something else.” I said, purposely trying to get his answer on his next password.

He raised a brow at my words, then he smiled. “I’ve actually changed it. It's 1402, the date of our first kiss.”

My fingers froze around my fork.

Our first kiss.

I remembered that night. The way my heart had pounded when he whispered my name right before he kissed me.

A lump formed in my throat. He remembered.

Thomas kissed my forehead. “I’ll go take a shower, okay? Call me if you need anything.”

I nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought.

Thomas's phone buzzed with a message.

I turned to his phone that was on the nightstand, and I reached for it slowly, hesitating. Why did I feel guilty?

I shook off the feeling and typed in the password.

The screen unlocked instantly.

My breath caught in my throat. It was Claire.

Claire: I'm sorry for doubting your loyalties. Now that you poisoned her, causing her to fall ill, I'm convinced that you're still mine. I love you.

My blood ran cold.