Losing His Mind After Losing Me

It was almost the release date for Mitchell's title track for his new album, and he was plenty busy with Isabella over the next few days.

He would leave early in the morning and return home late at night, saying he was still perfecting the melody and lyrics with her. Eventually, he stopped coming home altogether.

Meanwhile, Isabella kept posting stories on her Instagram every day. There were videos of her strolling on the beach with someone, their fingers intertwined as they held hands, her happily laughing and flying kites with someone, and watching the fireworks at night with someone next to her.

I knew that she was doing this on purpose just to show off to me, to rub it in my face, but I didn't care about Mitchell anymore.

Before leaving Havenridge, I sold my most prized possession, my original song and lyrics, to an up-and-coming singer, Altair White.

Everything went smoothly. After we signed the contract, he insisted on treating me to dinner to express his gratitude.

We had an enjoyable meal together. Altair was still quite young, but he was polite and gentlemanly, keeping a respectful distance from me.

He expressed that he would like to continue working with me in the future.

"You're so wise and talented, Elle. You could've debuted as a singer yourself, but you didn't. In a way, I'm grateful that you're not out here fighting with us to chart our songs," Altair said with a chuckle.

I went by the alias "Elle" when writing and producing songs. I chose it because it started with "Ell", which were the last three letters in Mitchell's name.

I'd once believed that Mitchell and I would work together forever, as if we were exclusively made for each other.

"Gaby? What are you doing here? Why are you having dinner with him?"

Just as Altair and I finished eating and were about to leave, we bumped into Mitchell and Isabella, who'd come to the same restaurant for dinner.

Since Mitchell didn't have a mask or any form of disguise on, he was attracting attention everywhere he went, especially since he was with another woman.

Altair quickly ushered Mitchell away. We went into a private dining room, where I briefly explained everything to him.

"You sold your song?" Mitchell asked, staring at me in disbelief. "How could you sell your song to someone else?"

He glared at me, but I answered him calmly, "I'm just giving away what you didn't want."

"Brilliant, Gabriella Clarkson. Just brilliant!" Mitchell snapped, seething with rage.

"Mitchie," Isabella called out to him gently. "It's just a song. Maybe Gaby's just mad about the title track. That's probably why she's doing this."

Mitchell turned to her and said, "In that case, you'll be in charge of writing all my songs in the future. Since some people don't want to work with me, I won't work with them anymore in the future!"

With that, he stormed out of the private room with Isabella in tow.

Isabella turned as she was leaving and gave me a victorious smirk.

Altair then offered me his handkerchief. "I don't think I should have overheard that, but I think you might need this."

I just smiled at him and shook my head. I'd already cried too much over Mitchell. I wasn't going to shed another tear for him—not anymore.

As I was leaving, I bumped into Isabella again in the corridor.

She folded her arms across her chest and said haughtily, "He promised he would propose to me on the day of his album release."

Recalling what Dad told me to do, I nodded and said, "I see. Congratulations."

Isabella chuckled and grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Gabriella Clarkson, you will never be as happy as me."

Her long nails dug painfully into my skin, and her haughty gaze was too piercing for me to bear. I pushed her away.

The next second, however, someone shoved me to the floor.

"That's enough, Gabriella Clarkson! I always thought that you were understanding, but it seems that you've only been acting this whole time! And stop kicking up such a huge fuss! You look ugly when you're jealous!"

I looked up at Mitchell. It was obvious that he wasn't in love with me but with her.

"Mitchell Zahn. Let's break up."