After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 84

"I'm not avoiding you," Gloria said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Elijah stepped into her personal space, his designer cologne overwhelming her senses. "Bullshit. You're practically running a marathon to dodge me every day. Won't even look at me when we pass in the hallway. What else would you call that?"

"Is it because of me and Jenna? That's it, isn't it?"

"God, no!" Gloria took a step back. "Mr. Phillips, I'm actually happy for you both. Seriously. I've finally gotten the message—you'll never feel that way about me. I'm done."

His expression darkened. The idea of Gloria not pining after him seemed to physically offend him.

"Right. When I shot down your confession, you wouldn't quit. When I rejected your endless DMs and gifts, you kept pushing. So what's this new angle? Playing it cool to get my attention?"

He watched her face like a hawk, catching her startled expression. That was all the confirmation he needed.

Moving closer, his voice went arctic as he spotted the box in her arms. "If you're so 'over me,' what's with all these love letters? These sketches? After stalking me for years, you expect me to buy that you just magically got over it?"

"You don't see how pathetic this looks?"

Gloria met his gaze. Of course it sounded ridiculous—she'd been the girl who cried wolf too many times. But this time was different.

"Look, I get it. I was crazy about you, Mr. Phillips. But you'll never love me back, so I'm moving on. For real this time."

To prove her point, she dumped the box's contents at his feet. Then, methodically, she shredded every letter and sketch into confetti.

Through the falling pieces, she noticed his expression growing darker rather than relieved. Before she could process this, his voice cut like ice.

"Keep playing your little games, Gloria. But get this through your head—Jenna is the only one who matters to me. Period."

They didn't speak after that. Gloria had nothing left to say, and Elijah, convinced she was manipulating him, gave her the cold shoulder.

The tension peaked at the Phillips family dinner. Once upon a time, these gatherings had been Gloria's show, with the family doting on her until Elijah had to rescue her from the attention overload.

Now? It was the Jenna show. Obviously—she was the future Mrs. Phillips. Gloria? Just the awkward houseguest who'd overstayed her welcome. Everyone got the memo about the new pecking order.

After Mrs. Phillips clicked away in her Louboutins, Gloria exhaled, stuffing the papers back into her Prada tote. As she stood to leave, she found Elijah lounging in the doorway.

"Running away from someone?"

Gloria's brain short-circuited. She had no idea how much he'd overheard, but her gut screamed not to mention London.

"No one. You're hearing things."

She tried to squeeze past him, but his words froze her mid-step.

"Look, you don't have to flee the country. After the wedding, stay. Your dad's my oldest friend—I'll take care of you. Forever."

Gloria's jaw dropped. Behind Elijah, Jenna, who'd come looking for her fiancé, went absolutely still.

Catching Jenna's murderous glare, Gloria did the only thing she could—she ran.