Chapter 70
Declan’s POVZ
I could feel my pupils contract with rage.
It was a screenshot of a Facebook post.
More specifically, it was a post Prissie had uploaded ten minutes ago.
It was a picture–two marriage certificates stacked together like a middle finger to my face.
I guess that’s why the group was on fire.
[Dude! We’ve been friends for years, and you didn’t even invite us to your wedding? What the hell?!]
[Damn it, dude! Not cool! You swore we’d get to crash your wedding night! I was even planning to cop a feel of Prissie’s gorgeous legs in all the chaos!]%
[Wait up, dumbasses–wasn’t Declan supposed to be living it up in Barcelona with his sweetheart since the wedding got pushed? Groom’s not even here, so what the hell kind of wedding is Prissie having?]
For a while, I just stared at the screen, jaw locked, watching the flood of bullshit roll into the group chat.
These guys? I treated them like brothers. Like family.”
But tonight? Screw that. My voice went out cold–sharp enough to draw blood. I dropped a voice message without hesitation. “That stupid screenshot is fake, morons. I checked Prissie’s Story myself–she hasn’t posted anything for the past month. So whoever had the brilliant idea to forge a photo just to stir shit up? Congrats. You’ve officially made my list. When I get back, I swear I’ll deal with you personally.“/
The second I left the group chat, my fingers flew straight to the bottom of my contact list–her number was still there. Of course it was.”
I hit the call button, my face tense like stone.”
The line connected.”
No one answered.”
So I called again. And again. From sunset until the sky turned black.
Seventeen damn times.M
Finally, I heard her voice. “Hello. What is it?“#
But her voice was dead flat. No warmth. No emotion.
I exhaled–the tight tension in my chest loosened a little. My voice softened, but a trace of complaint slipped through before I could stop it.
“Why did you take so long to answer?”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Busy with what?” I laughed, but it came out hollow. “What, you really out there getting married to some random nobody?“}
One second… two… three…\
I frowned. It was supposed to be a joke. A little jab to lighten the mood. So why the hell was she silent?
Why the hell did it suddenly feel like my chest was in a goddamn vice?!
I swallowed hard. My voice shifted; instinctively, I changed the subject.\
“Prissie, are you still mad at me?“”
“No.”
“Then why haven’t you called or messaged me this whole time?“}
“Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”
That faint amusement in her tone–like this was all some joke to her–set every nerve in my head on fire. The veins at my temples throbbed like they were about to burst.
“Prissie, can you stop being so unreasonable?” I snapped. “I told you–it was a last–minute business trip. That’s the only reason the wedding had to be postponed.””
I let out a heavy sigh, trying to be patient. “I get that you’re upset, alright? But you didn’t have to post a fake marriage certificate on your Story to corner me like this. Come on.“”
No sooner had I said that than I heard her chuckle softly on the other end.
“Who told you the marriage certificate was fake?“}
My stomach dropped. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean…” she explained calmly, “from now on, you won’t have to come up with some clumsy excuse about a business trip
Just to an outside the States with Daiana Danlan I’m willing to lat an I’ll stan side and give your twin my hlaseinn ”
2/2 53 8%
8:37 PM
just to go outside the States with Reigne. Declan, I’m willing to let go. I’ll step aside and give you two my blessing.“”
The night air outside my hotel window was stifling and hot.
And yet, as I stood there staring out into the Barcelona skyline, a chill crept into my palms.
I suppose it must’ve been the poor international signal–that’s what made my normally steady and low voice come out weird. Just a little shaky.”
“Prissie,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady, “Reigne is just my personal secretary. Of course I had to bring her on a business trip. You know I hate jealous women who starts fights over nothing, so-“”
But for the first time in fifteen years of growing up together, she cut me off without the slightest patience.
“You’re mistaken, Mr. Mortimer. I wasn’t jealous of anyone. Have you forgotten? We broke up a long time ago. So whoever you’re with now? It has nothing to do with me.””
And just like that, the next thing I heard from the other end was a dead line.
The call was cut off.
I tried calling back, only to realize that I’d been blocked–goddamn it!Z
I let out a cold laugh, and in the next breath, I sent everything on the table flying. Glass, papers, charger, tablet–smashed to hell.
pulled out my phone again and booked the next available flight back to Connecticut, teeth clenched so tight my jaw hurt.”
By the time I stormed out of the room, my face probably looked like thunder.
The hotel entrance was buzzing–cars coming and going in steady waves.”
I was just about to climb into one when I heard footsteps running up behind me.”
“Dex, please…” Reigne’s voice broke city!“”
a
shabiki waking grabbed my arm, her eyes wide and watery. “Don’t leave me all alone in a foreign
