Chapter 6

Seraphina POV

When I got home at night, I felt a chill seep into my bones, and my stomach churned with spasmodic pain. Perhaps the anger from the bridal shop, combined with not eating all day, had triggered my chronic gastritis.

I forced myself into the bedroom and pulled out my suitcase. I didn't want to stay in this house for another minute.

I began to shove my clothes into the bag. The cramping in my stomach continued, and I just wanted to finish packing quickly.

Just then, I heard the sound of the key turning in the front door. Blake was home.

He was carrying a few takeout containers. Seeing me pack, Blake paused, then a flicker of impatience crossed his face. "What now? I bought the dress, I paid for it, and you're still not over it? Are you running away from home now?"

In his mind, I was merely throwing a childish tantrum.

I barely had the strength to argue with him. Clutching my stomach, I slowly sank to the floor. "Blake, do we have any medicine? Can you get me some water?"

Blake frowned, walking over. "Don't act like this. You were fine at the store earlier. How are you suddenly sick now that you're home?"

"My stomach hurts."

"It really hurts."

Blake scoffed. "Save it, Seraphina. How many times have you played the sick card when we argue? Can't you come up with something new?"

Though he said this, he still placed the takeout on the table and turned to get some water.

Just then, his phone rang. Blake's expression changed instantly. He answered the call. "Hello, Willow?"

Willow's tearful voice came through the phone. "Blake, the power suddenly went out at my place, I'm so scared..."

Blake's voice instantly softened. He patiently cooed, "Don't be scared, I'll be right there!"

Blake hung up, grabbed his car keys, and started to rush out.

"Blake..."

I lay sprawled by the bed, using the last of my strength to tug on his pant leg. "I really don't feel well, take me to the hospital..."

Blake stopped, looking down at me. He spoke with irritation. "Stop faking it!"

He roughly shook off my hand. "The power's out at Willow's, and she has claustrophobia. What if something happens to her? You just have a stomach ache. There's stomach medicine in the cabinet; you can take a couple of pills yourself. Are you really going to die?"

"You just had to put on a show right now. There's a time and place for drama!"

With that, he didn't spare me another glance, striding out of the bedroom.

BANG!

The front door slammed shut.

The pain in my stomach felt like it was tearing me apart, but the coldness in my heart was far worse than the physical agony. I curled into a ball on the floor, tears silently soaking into the carpet.

It turned out that in Blake's heart, half of my life was less important than a power outage at Willow's place.

This was the man I had loved for seven years. This was the man I wanted to spend my life with.

After a long while, my hand trembling, I dialed 911.

"Hello, emergency services, I'm having severe stomach cramps, my address is..."

After hanging up, I struggled to my feet, rummaged through a drawer for painkillers, and dry-swallowed two pills. A bitter taste spread in my mouth. I looked at the empty room and suddenly laughed.

Blake, since you love being with her so much, then stay with her forever. This home, this place, I don't want it anymore.

By the time the ambulance arrived, I had regained a sliver of strength. I refused the stretcher and walked into the ambulance myself. I was on an IV until midnight at the hospital before the stomach pain finally subsided. I pulled out the needle and went home alone.