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 al 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 picl 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 wa: 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, unti 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?”
P
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5:37 pm DDD
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 love me. A man who had poisoned me. A man who had, killed children.
my
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.
5:37 pm DDD.
