Chapter 2

"Alice, why didn't you inform us that you were coming home?" Thomas asked. "Mel and I didn't do anything. Don't get the wrong idea!"

When Thomas woke up and noticed me standing there, he scrambled off the bed and hastily put on a shirt.

Melody was awoken by the commotion. Her eyes were still hazy with sleep when she mumbled, "I've been scared of the sound of thunder since I was a child. I can only fall asleep with Thomas cradling me whenever it storms. Alice, you're not going to be petty over something as small as this, are you?"

I was near tears by how infuriated I was with them. But after leaving the hospital, I promised myself that I would never shed another tear for Thomas.

"There's nothing that I have to be petty about," I replied. "Don't worry. Even if you have sex in front of my face, I won't stop you!"

I left after saying my piece. I was afraid that I would start crying if I stayed.

Thomas chased after me, grabbing me furiously.

"Mel and I are innocent. As her elder, how could you say something so outrageous to her? Do you have any idea of the emotional damage you're going to inflict on her with your words? Go back and apologize to her!"

I batted his hand away. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown when I yelled, "Mel refuses to eat. Mel will suffer emotional damage. Mel this. Mel that.

"Thomas, did you worry about me for even a second? I was bedridden in the hospital for 25 days. I almost died!"

The displeasure on Thomas' face morphed into guilt when I brought up my time in the hospital. "It's not that I didn't want to visit you when you were in the hospital. Mel was traumatized after the explosion. I had to take care of her and couldn't find the time to visit you."

His words extinguished the flames of injustice that were burning in my heart, leaving nothing but a bone-deep disappointment. I had so many things I wanted to say to him, but the words disappeared at that moment, along with my tears.

There was no point in fighting for him any longer. Thomas didn't love me anymore—his words were all the confirmation I needed to hear to answer any lingering questions I still had.

Melody was calling for Thomas. He frowned as he gazed at me. "That's enough for today. Don't spout nonsense to Mel again," he said before taking his leave.

Throughout our entire conversation, he never asked about my well-being even once.

"I can give up on him completely now…" I murmured to myself.

I was rooted to the spot for a long time before I finally left to pack my luggage. Other than my identification documents and a few sets of clothes, I threw everything else away. In the end, I was only left with a dozen portraits that Thomas had drawn of me when he was still pursuing me.

My friend who was majoring in art had teased me then, saying, "There's not a lick of skill in the execution, but these portraits are overflowing with his feelings for you. I couldn't reproduce his works even if I tried!"

These portraits had convinced me that Thomas truly loved me. I scoffed to myself. I carried the box of discarded items and went outside before setting it on fire.

Coincidentally, Thomas had sought me out then and stumbled upon the scene. He rushed over and shoved me aside. Not caring about being burned, he thrust his hands into the flames to retrieve the portraits that hadn't completely disintegrated yet.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I wanted to tell him that I didn't want the portraits any longer, but instead I said, "The portraits were eaten by moths."

We were always arguing in the past few years. I was exhausted. I didn't want to argue with him anymore.

Thomas hesitated for a second before he tossed the portraits he had saved back into the fire. "Mel is terrified of insects. I'll draw new ones for you in the future."

"No need."

There wasn't going to be a future for us.

The flames first grew bigger before shrinking in size. It was eventually extinguished, leaving only a heap of ashes behind. It was reminiscent of my relationship with Thomas.

"There are five more days left."

After sweeping the ashes into the trash bin, I updated my status on Twitter. I then made my way to the guest room that was located furthest away from the master bedroom to rest.

I woke up to a number of notifications. My friends were teasing me over my status, asking me if I was that eager to become Thomas' bride.

Thomas had also left a comment that read, "I'm also looking forward to the day you walk toward me in your wedding dress."

He was the biggest cheater in the world when it came to love! I was already exhausted by his antics, and yet he still wanted us to play the role of a couple that was madly in love with each other. Unfortunately for him, I no longer had the energy to keep up the farce.

I didn't reply to any of the comments and instead went downstairs to freshen up.

When we were having breakfast, Thomas asked, "Ally, did you make an appointment for us to register our marriage today?"

I did indeed make an appointment to get our marriage registration this afternoon. However, I no longer wanted to get it.