Chapter 15%
Zander’s smile faded as he looked between us, and his expression turned serious.
Thomas took a step forward, “What… what are you doing here?“>
I swallowed, forcing my expression to look cold. “Living my life with people that actually love me.” I said coldly.
His expression softened, and he stepped closer.}
“…I love you, Ella.” He said softly, his eyes shining with sincerity.
For a moment, I was speechless. I forced myself to keep my face blank, ignoring the way his words struck me. He had never looked so sincere like this before.
I smiled bitterly. “You love me?” I repeated, “Is that what you call what you did to me?”
Thomas flinched, “I’m so sorry, Ella. I wish I could take time back and take all those things back.”
I scoffed. “Take what back? You can’t bring back the babies that you killed? Can you? All the betrayals, the lies, the poison, you can’t take them back. You just have to live with them.”
He swallowed hard and his voice broke. “I was… I was stupid, Gabriella. I-“0
“Enough.” My voice was sharp, cutting off whatever excuse he was about to give. “I don’t care what you have to say. You don’t get to stand here and act like you ever truly loved me. The both of us are done.“}]
He exhaled sharply, his eyes pleading with me. “Ella, please… I promise to make it up to you. We can have another child and-“W
I cut him off sharply. “Never. I’ll never let you touch me.” I snapped.
But I wasn’t done.
I glared at him venomously. “You don’t love me, Thomas. I was just a freaking ATM machine for you and your girlfriend.“W
Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but Zander interrupted him, finally speaking. “I think it’s time for you to leave, man.“}
Thomas’s gaze flicked to him, then he looked back at me. “Who is that?” He asked.
I sneered at him. “None of your business.” I replied, walking off, leaving the both of them behind.
I didn’t look back. My hands shook at my sides, but I forced myself to keep walking.
Zander caught up to me. He didn’t say anything, he just walked beside me. But I could feel his gaze on me, watching.
“Ella.” Thomas’s voice called out from behind me desperately, but I didn’t stop.
Zander stopped, and he turned slightly.”
Walk away, man,” Zander warned firmly. “She said she’s done with you.”
Thomas hesitated. “Ella, please,” he tried again.
I took a slow breath, then kept walking.”
Zander sighed and caught up again. “Gabe, are you okay?” he asked quietly.”
I nodded, but I didn’t say anything.
We reached the car, and I got into the passenger seat. I was in no state to drive back. I released a shaky breath, trying to stop my hands from shaking.
Zarider got into the driver’s seat, but he didn’t start the car right away. Instead, he turned to me with a soft expression on his face. “You don’t have to be strong with me, Gabriella.” He said softly.
His words broke something inside me.”
I had been holding it in, swallowing my pain, forcing myself to be strong. But now, with the weight of everything crashing down, I couldn’t do it anymore. A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it.
Zander didn’t hesitate. He reached across the car and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.”
I held his shirt, as my body shook as I cried. I hated crying. I hated feeling weak. But in his arms, I didn’t feel weak. I felt safe.
He didn’t speak. He didn’t try to tell me it was okay or that I needed to stop. He just held me, his hand gently rubbing my back as I let it all
out.
Minutes passed, before my sobs finally stopped, I pulled back slightly, wiping my cheeks. Zander didn’t move away. He just looked at me, waiting.
“I trusted him,” I whispered. My voice was hoarse. “I loved him, Zander. And he–he took everything from me.”
He clenched his jaw, but he didn’t interrupt.
I took a shaky breath. “He had been poisoning me every time I got pregnant so that I would miscarry my babies.”
