After I Left, He Fell Apart

Gabriella's POV

I couldn't pretend like everything was fine. I couldn't smile when I knew my life was a lie.

I had refused to take part in any of the wedding preparations, because I knew they were all useless.

“Which flowers would you prefer?” Thomas asked, holding three samples of flowers.

I shrugged, without looking at him, flipping through the magazine in my hands. “You can pick anyone you want. It doesn't matter.”

He nodded, picking a flower. Some time later, he came back.

“What song would you like us to dance to for our first dance?” He asked.

I shrugged again, not looking at him. “Choose anyone you like.” I replied blankly.

There was a short silence.

“Are you okay?” Thomas asked. His voice was soft, and filled with concern.

I turned to look at him with a forced smile. “I’m fine.”

He hesitated before he stepped inside. “Ella… you don’t have to pretend with me.” His voice was gentle. “You can tell me if anything is bothering you, okay?”

I released a sigh. “It’s just… the wedding. I'm just nervous, that's all.” I replied.

Thomas nodded slowly as sat beside me on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been thinking about that too,” he admitted. “And honestly, I feel guilty.”

I glanced at him, surprised because he sounded sincere. “Guilty? About what?” I asked.

“Yes.” He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “You just had a miscarriage two weeks ago. Yet, we're still going ahead with the wedding. Maybe we should postpone it. Just for now, until you feel better.”

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

What about his plans with Claire? I thought to myself. Was he backing out of them?

It wasn't easy, but I took a deep breath and shook my head. “No, let’s go on with the wedding.”

Thomas watched me carefully with an unreadable expression on his face. “Are you sure?”

I hesitated, before I nodded. “Yes.”

To my surprise, he looked… sad. He didn't look relieved. He looked like he had secretly wanted me to say yes to postponing it.

However, before I could think too much about it, his phone vibrated. He pulled it out and quickly typed out a message when he thought I wasn't looking.

(Still on. Nothing to worry about.)

My heart hardened even more. He had just been trying to look like a concerned fiance, to make sure I wasn't thinking about backing out.

I cleared my throat. “I need to make a call,” I said, standing up.

He looked up at me with a small smile. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “I’m just finalizing some things for our special day.”

Tears blurred my eyes as I left the room, gripping my phone tightly. As soon as I was far enough, I dialed the private detective’s number.

The moment he answered, I spoke firmly. “I’m ready. Contact my lawyer and finalize everything.”

~

The night before my wedding, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself.

Tomorrow, I was supposed to wear a white dress and vow my life to a man who had never loved me. A man who had poisoned me. A man who had killed my children.

I smiled bitterly. Maybe love wasn't for me.

My suitcase was already packed hours ago, when Thomas had gone out to finalize the wedding arrangements for the next day.

Downstairs, I could hear Thomas’s voice as he spoke to the wedding planner on the phone, acting like the perfect fiancé.

I forced a smile when he came to bed. I allowed him to kiss my forehead, and pull me into his arms.

Tomorrow, he would wake up expecting to marry me, but I would be long gone.

By 2:30 AM, I opened my eyes. Thomas was still asleep, his arm was wrapped around my waist.

Carefully, I climbed out of bed, and I quietly grabbed my suitcase.

A car was already waiting outside to drive me to the airport where a private jet was waiting for me. Immediately I got in, I released a deep breath.

“Drive,” I said softly.

As the car drove away, I pulled out my phone, removed the SIM card, and tossed it out the window. The last link to my past was gone.

It was time for a new beginning.