Chapter 12%
Thomas stared blankly at a spot on the wall for several minutes. He had lost track of how long he had been sitting on the floor of Claire’s apartment.
Claire’s apartment was small and cluttered, nothing like the large mansion that he had shared with Gabriella.!
But that wasn’t what was bothering him.
He scrolled through his phone, flipping through pictures of him and Gabriella. A smile crossed his lips as he stared at the pictures. In every image, she was smiling at him, with pure and genuine happiness.
But that was before. Before the last miscarriage, and before she stopped looking at him the same way.
He paused on a picture taken on her birthday last year. They had gone to an expensive restaurant, and she had insisted on taking a photo together.
He had been reluctant, but she had pouted and tugged at his sleeve until he agreed. Now, staring at the picture, his eyes blurred with tears. Gabriella had been so joyful with eyes full of love for him. She looked at him like he was her everything.
But in those last days… her eyes had turned empty, cold, and dead.
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, and set the phone down on the floor beside him.
But he could still see those eyes even when he closed his eyes. He couldn’t forget the way she had looked and spoken to him as if nothing mattered anymore. As if he didn’t matter anymore.”
He couldn’t believe that he didn’t notice it then. But looking back now, it had been clear for him to see.
Thomas wiped his eyes again. He had thought so many times of what would happen if she found out.2
He had expected tears, maybe screaming, and hate. But he never expected something like this. She had quietly detached, and pushed him aside. It was like she had flipped a switch and erased every trace of love she ever had for him.
And for the first time since everything fell apart, Thomas finally understood that bitter feeling in his chest. It was regret.”
The door opened, and Thomas winced as bright light flooded the dark room.
“You look like such a pathetic mess,” Claire scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe.
Thomas didn’t react. All he could think about was how Ella would never speak to him like that. Even at her angriest, she never insulted, or called him names.
Chris stepped inside, shaking his head. “Man, what’s going on with you?”
Thomas didn’t answer. He sat slumped against the wall with his arms on his knees. He had locked himself in here for days, barely eating, barely moving. He hadn’t showered, hadn’t changed his clothes. He barely recognized himself anymore.”
Chris sighed, rubbing his temple. “Isn’t this just about the money? I mean, I get it. It sucks going back to this level after living like a king, but isn’t this a bit much?“>
Thomas remained silent.
Claire sighed in exasperation before she knelt beside him. She glanced at the phone lying next to him. The screen was still showing the picture of Gabriella’s bright, smiling face. She pursed her lips.
“Look,” she murrnured, taking his hand in hers. “Forget about the money. Let’s just focus on us and our future. We can finally get married.“} Thomas pulled his hand away from hers. He clenched his fists as he mumbled, “We need the money.“>
Chris laughed in disbelief. “Bullshit. This isn’t just about the money. If it was, you wouldn’t be like this. It’s too much, man.”
Thomas clenched his jaw. “I hate this life,” he muttered. “You don’t get it. Gabriella was our way out, and I messed it up. I need to find her and fix up this mess.“?
Claire’s expression changed to desperation at his words. She grabbed his arm, squeezing it. “Thomas, please. Just leave it. I don’t care about the money anymore. I just want you.”
Her voice trembled, but Thomas wasn’t paying attention to her.
In his mind, all he could see was Gabriella. The way she had looked at him before, and the way she had looked at him in the end.”
He wondered if it would still be possible to make her look at him like she did before.)
