Chapter 20
Prissie’s POV
Snapping out of my thoughts, I carried the trash bag into the study and began sorting through the things that no longer had a place in my life.
I tore up the hundreds of love letters I had written to Declan.\
I smashed the starry sky telescope I gave him when we were kids.
And when I was about to throw away the childhood photo of us that had accidentally brushed against the mouse.
at on display for the past ten years, my
hand
The computer screen lit up.
In the very next second, just as Reigne’s smiling face appeared, I was shoved hard.
My head slammed against the glass of the bookshelf behind me. The pain was instant, my face going pale.}
His eyes were on some
Declan, having doubled back, didn’t even look at me. His eyes were on something else entirely. Once he confirmed that the ceramic pig Reigne gave him was completely intact, he shot me a sidelong glance.
“Prissie,” she said coldly, “from now on, you’re not allowed in the study.”
The pain in my skull left me speechless. I simply watched in silence as he opened the safe, took out the heirloom diamond ring, and left with excitement written all over his face.
Not long after, I received a video from one of Declan’s closest friends.<
It was filmed at the top floor of Starlight Restaurant.
In front of a circle of close friends, Declan knelt on one knee, holding a bouquet and that diamond ring. He looked up at Reigne.”
“Reigne, before I met you,” he said, “I never believed in true love. But from the moment you appeared, my world–dim and colorless for thirty years–was suddenly illuminated. Right here, right now, I humbly beg you… Please give me the chance to protect you for a lifetime.“&
Beneath a sky bursting with dazzling fireworks, Reigne tearfully accepted the ring and threw herself into Declan’s arms, smiling through her tears.}
I had barely finished watching the video when I received the location to a private club.
That was all I needed to know.
Declan and his so–called friends were at it again–placing bets, laughing at my expense.
They were gambling on how long it would take me to storm into the club and “catch them in the act.“”
They were gambling on whether I’d lose it in public–cry, scream, or even threaten suicide.
Over the past ten years, every time Declan bet that I’d cry, he always won.”
But this time, I sent back just one sentence.
Tell Declan, congratulations on finally getting what he wants.]”
Then, I put my phone on silent and went back to my room to sleep.”
The next morning, when I woke up, I saw two missed calls.
Both were from Declan.
I didn’t call back; I had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.
The pain in the back of my head was getting worse. I had no choice but to drive myself to the hospital.
While waiting in the reception area for my name to be called, I saw Declan and Reigne.”
They were standing on either side of a middle–aged woman, supporting her like family–smiling, chatting, looking every bit the happy trio.
“Mom,” Reigne said sweetly, “see how caring President Mortimer is? Even with his busy schedule, he’s been coming with me every day to visit you.“%
“Don’t say that, Reigne,” Declan replied with a gentle tone. “If it weren’t for you and Auntie Petula taking such good care of my mom back then, she wouldn’t have held on long enough for me to return to Connecticut. I’m the one who should be thanking you.“%
Petula chuckled and was about to say something when her eyes met mine.”
Instantly, her gaze dropped in guilt. She let out a fake cough and looked away.
Seeing Petula, the head nurse from back then, I finally understood why Declan fell in love with Reigne.
My throat itched, and I let out a soft, bitter laugh.
Declan, hearing it, tumed at once. His brows furrowed as he walked over.
*
8:36 PM d
“Prissie,” he snapped, “where the hell were you fooling around last night?”
I pressed my lips into a thin line and replied calmly, “I was home the whole time.“@
* Expression twisted into something between a home the whole time.”
Ever since we got together, I had never missed a single
and a scowl. “Home, and you still ignored my calls?“}
one of his calls.
Probably realizing that, he suddenly reached out and grabbed my jaw with one hand.
“You think I’m a three–year–old you can fool?“}
His fingers paused. A strange look flickered in his eyes
“Prissie… why are you sweating so much?”
as he noticed the clammy sweat on
Before I could answer, a soft, tearful voice cried out, “Dex!“}
Reigne’s sobbing call immediately drew him back to her side.
At the same time, Petula clutched her chest and let out a pained groan. “Ah… It hurts!”
