After I Left, He Fell Apart

Gabriella’s POV

My body ached, and my limbs felt heavy as I woke up. From the scent of antiseptic in the air, I realized that I was in the hospital.

My heart clenched in pain as I realized that I had just had a miscarriage. Another one.

Before I could move, I heard a voice speak from beside me.

“Thomas, I think this last miscarriage should be the last. I was scared that she wouldn’t make it this time.” A familiar voice whispered. I froze instantly. That was Claire, my best friend. What was she talking about?

Thomas, my fiancé sighed, “Me too. I was so scared. I think I mistakenly increased the dosage of the drug. The miscarriage shouldn’t have been this messy. She lost so much blood that I was worried that she would die before we got what we needed.”

I was confused. What was going on?

Another voice chimed in. “Why do you keep knocking her up when you know you'll just get rid of it?” Chris, Thomas's friend asked with a cruel laugh.

Thomas scoffed, “Gabriella is obsessed with having kids. She desperately wants a child that she keeps trying over and over. It's so frustrating.”

I tensed slightly on the bed, but I didn't move. I could feel my eyes burning with tears, but I forced them back, keeping my breathing steady. I couldn't let them know I was awake. Not yet.

Claire released a soft sigh, “I know, baby. It must be exhausting putting up with her.”

I nearly choked. Baby?

Thomas groaned. “It’s unbearable. She’s so damn needy. Always clinging to me, always talking about how she wants a baby. It’s pathetic.”

Chris laughed. “You’re so mean, man.”

Claire clicked her tongue in irritation. “But really, this little game is getting boring, Thomas. We’ve been stealing her money for years. The fake business deals, the forged signatures. You have even convinced her to invest in so many fake companies just to siphon her cash. But it’s not enough. We need more.”

It was getting hard to stop myself from gasping. What was going on?

Thomas chuckled. “Patience, babe. What we've taken is a lot, and I know it’s not enough, but we need to do this right. If I rush her, she’ll get suspicious.”

My stomach turned. I felt like I would be sick. This can’t be real. This can’t be happening. But it was. Every single word pierced into me.

Claire groaned. “You keep saying that, but I'm getting tired. We need her married to you fast. Once you get her to change her will, everything will belong to you. Then…” She trailed off, leaving a scary silence.

“Then she can go,” Thomas said smoothly. “Accident, overdose, whatever. Something clean, something no one will question. And we’ll be set for life.”

A sharp pain pierced through my chest.

Claire scoffed. “That’s what you said last time, but look at us, still waiting. I mean, come on, Thomas, how long do we have to pretend? I can’t stand seeing you kiss her, touch her. It makes me sick.”

“I know, baby, I know,” Thomas murmured. “I hate it too. But just a little longer. She trusts me too much right now to question anything. She thinks I love her. The moment we get married in two weeks on the 19th, she’ll sign over everything, and we can finally be done with this pretense.” He said with a loving tone in his voice.

That was the intimate voice he normally used with me.

I swallowed down the sob that was trying to escape, as I heard the sound of them kissing.

Chris laughed in amusement. “Aren't you guys worried that she might wake up and see you guys?”

Claire snorted. “The doctor said she's almost in a coma. She wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. Which means more time for us.”

“I hope she wakes up in time for our wedding.” Thomas added.

Then I heard them kissing again.

It took everything in me at that moment to not break down.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to remove the IV from my hand and launch myself at them. But I stayed still, my mind raced with several thoughts.

They were together. My best friend and the man I loved. They were together, and they were planning my death like it was a business transaction.

I had been nothing but a fool.

I waited for a moment or two after they left before I broke down.

Tears ran down my face, and once they started, I couldn't stop them. My entire body shook as I sobbed. I couldn't breathe.

I wanted to throw up, but there was nothing to throw up.

How could they? How could they do this to me?

Thomas—my Thomas. The man I had loved with everything I had, the man I had trusted with my heart, my body, my future. The man I had dreamed of having a family with.

Claire—my best friend. My sister in everything but blood. The woman who held me when I cried, who swore to protect me from the world.

It was all a lie.

I squeezed my eyes shut, praying that I would wake up from this nightmare.

My baby.

My babies.

They had taken them from me.

I sobbed harder in pain.

I had been played, used, and drained dry.