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Chapter 17
The moment Declan stepped into the office, he saw his friends huddled around his desk, whispering to each other. His brows furrowed instantly.
His sudden voice behind them made everyone jump. They scrambled to hide what they were holding, flashing him awkward grins. “It’s nothing, really…”
Before they could even finish, Tristan felt the envelope slip from his hand.
He turned in time to see the damage was already done–Declan now held the card in his hand, unmistakably the wedding invitation they’d been trying to keep from him.
And before anyone could stop him, Declan had already opened it.
His eyes landed on the names:
Marissa Wynn & Adrian Carter
Wedding Date: October 21st.
His lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t say a word, but the shift in the room’s temperature was unmistakable. It was like winter had arrived early, and everyone instinctively shivered.
“W–We’ve got things to do–gonna head out first!” someone blurted.
They scattered fast, each one finding some excuse to leave, until only Tristan remained.
That’s when he saw the small velvet box in Declan’s hand.
It wasn’t the first time Tristan had seen it. Over the past three years, he’d caught Declan taking it
out from time to time, just to quietly trace its edges, like he was holding onto a memory too fragile
to name.
And they both knew who that memory belonged to.
“When did she get back?” Tristan asked, eyes fixed on the invitation, something about it feeling off.
Declan let out a low laugh, one with no warmth in it, and murmured, “Three days ago. I ran into her at the airport.”
Tristan’s eyes widened.
Three days ago… and now this? A wedding invite already?
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That kind of timing wasn’t just sudden. It was deliberate.
He hesitated, then asked, “What did you say to her? What happened?”
Declan shook his head before the question even finished. “She told me she came back to get married.”
Silence fell between them.
Tristan opened his mouth a few times to speak, only to fall quiet again. Eventually, all he could offer was a sigh.
What could he say? In the end, it had been Declan himself who broke Marissa’s heart.
But it still stung. Everyone back then thought the two of them would end up together. It was obvious -Marissa had loved Declan. That much had been clear to anyone who paid attention.
After all, what kind of woman would put up with Declan at his worst–when his temper was sharpest, and his world had collapsed?
But then Declan said something that made Tristan’s heart sink.
“I’m not letting her go. Not like this.”
Marissa had always loved him. She was supposed to be with him.
But Tristan just stared at him, conflicted, and finally asked, “Why now, Declan? What’s the point?”
She was about to marry someone else. Was he really going to stir things up
now?
Declan’s voice was quiet but firm. “Because I love her. And I’ll be damned if I just stand by and
watch her marry another man.”
Tristan blinked, stunned. He opened his mouth to reason with him, but the words faltered.
“She’s in love with someone else…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. But Declan heard what he meant anyway.
Still, he just gave a slow, confident smile. “If I made her fall for me once, I can do it again.”
Tristan exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. There was no changing his mind now.
“Fine. Do what you want.
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But deep down, Tristan wasn’t hopeful. He’d known Marissa too long. Once she made up her mind, she never looked back.
Just like when she’d chosen to care for Declan after his accident. She’d stuck by him, no matter how cruel or dismissive he became. She never gave up.
And then, when he recovered–when she realized she was no longer wanted–she simply started planning her exit. Quietly. Without drama. Without demanding anything in return.
Some people… they had to hit rock bottom before they realized what they’d lost.
By the time everyone had gone, Declan sat alone with the ring box in his hand. He pulled the engagement ring out and gently ran his thumb over the small engraved initials on the side.
D & M.
His voice barely above a whisper, he said, “Marissa… I’m not letting you go. Not again.”
