After My Boyfriend Took My Salary

Chapter 4

The next morning came too soon.

The movers hadn't arrived yet, but a wave of dizziness and nausea had already rolled over me.

I sat on the couch, chilled to the bone, the color draining from my face. Colton came back with breakfast. I could see the same items from yesterday sitting in his bag.

He set everything on the table. "I bought it all again. This afternoon, you're coming with me to drop it off for Jules, and you're going to give her a proper apology."

I didn't have the strength to speak, probably from staying up late and catching a chill the night before.

I lay on the couch with my eyes shut.

That was when he noticed something was wrong, and he came closer to feel my forehead. "If you left, who'd take care of you? I'll go grab you some medicine. Just rest for now."

"Mm."

I nodded, already unable to make out what he was saying. The only thing I caught was the front door banging shut, and I slipped under right after.

By the time I woke, the whole morning had slipped by, and Colton still hadn't come back.

I dragged myself upright and called 911 for help. Before long, the responders arrived.

When I stumbled to the door, burning with fever, I found it bolted from the outside.

That was a habit of Julie's. Terrified of a break-in whenever she was home alone, she always had Colton deadbolt the door from the outside.

I pounded on the lock with everything I had, and the crew outside started calling for a locksmith too.

The place was sealed up tight, and my breathing began to come hard. I tried calling Colton one more time, wishing that he could come back and open the door.

But his phone was still switched off. And just like that, I knew exactly where he was.

A social media notification popped up on my screen. Julie had posted three photos, and in every one, she was nestled against Colton, smiling like she was the happiest woman in the world.

Julie: [I love the way Colton locks me in at home and then unlocks it when he's back.]

Julie: [Feeling like a little princess in his tower.]

My stomach turned, but I banged on the door anyway, making all the noise I could so they'd know I was still alive in there.

The crew outside was working fast. In the end, they kicked the door straight in and got me to a hospital.

By the time I woke up in the ward, Colton still hadn't called once.

I got the moving company on the phone right away, then told the agent to take the apartment off my hands and sell it as fast as possible.

After a round of IV fluids, I was already feeling better.

Just as I finished filling out the form to replace my bank card, my phone rang.

Colton finally called, but I didn't pick up.

On my way to the airport, a string of texts came in right after.

Colton: Where are you?

Colton: I only bolted the door because I was worried about you.

I didn't read more or reply, just dropped his number into the block list.

As I was boarding the plane, the agent arrived at the apartment and found Colton sitting on the couch, drenched in sweat.

He held up the contract. "Sorry, sir, but Ms. Monica Sinclair has already sold this place. I'll have to ask you to leave now."