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Chapter 2
Marissa ended the call and headed straight to the hospital.
Three stitches to her forehead. The doctor warned her not to get the wound wet.
She nodded numbly, barely registering his words. But as she stepped out of the exam room, she
spotted a familiar black Maybach parked just outside.
The passenger window was cracked open.
And there, curled against Declan’s shoulder, was Celeste–crying like her whole world had just
shattered.
“Declan… I know I hurt you,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “But I didn’t leave you because I
wanted to. My parents–they were furious when they found out about us. They sent me overseas
and took away my phone. I tried, I really did… but I couldn’t contact you…”
Declan sat in silence, his jaw tight, profile carved in stone.
A few feet away, Marissa stood frozen. Her legs felt like they were bolted to the pavement.
“And now?” Declan finally spoke, voice low. “Why are you back?”
Celeste looked up at him, tears streaking her cheeks. “Because I never forgot you. I know you have Marissa now… and I’m not trying to get in the way. Just… please don’t push me out of your life. Let me stay. Even if it’s from a distance… just let me stay.”
Marissa watched from the shadows as Declan hesitated for what felt like forever… then reached out
and gently wiped the tears from Celeste’s face.
“I don’t blame you,” he said. “And as for Marissa… I’ve only ever seen her as a sister. It’s not what you think.”
Celeste’s eyes lit up, her sorrow melting into a beaming smile. “Really?”
Declan nodded.
She burst into tears again–this time from joy–and threw herself into his arms.
Marissa let out a soft, bitter laugh and turned away, walking off without a word.
She didn’t stop until she reached the immigration office.
Chapter 2
EVONY
The King’s Koturs
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Inside, the clerk slid a form across the counter.
“Your visa should be processed in about two weeks.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
By the time she walked out, the sky had already gone dark.
She returned to Declan’s estate.
For the past three years, she’d lived here to care for him–made it her home.
She was the one who’d picked out the throw pillows for the couch, arranged succulents on the windowsill, and taped her “stomach–friendly recipes” to the fridge like a proud little badge of
domesticity.
Now, she needed to erase every trace of herself.
While packing, she opened the bottom drawer and found a photo buried deep.
It was from the day Declan took his first steps again. He’d smiled–rare, real–for the camera. And she had stood beside him, eyes crinkled in a crescent–moon grin.
The edges of the photo had yellowed, worn thin from too many
touches.
She stared at it for a long, long time.
Then slowly, carefully, she dropped it into the trash.
Some dreams… should’ve ended a long time ago.
The next morning, Declan called.
“I left my antacids at home. Can you bring them to the office?” His voice was raspy from sleep, casual–like none of last night had ever happened.
Marissa paused, just two seconds.
Then: “Sure.”
When the elevator doors opened at Hawthorne International, she stepped out just in time to see
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Celeste striding down the hall with a designer lunchbox in hand.
“Well, look at that,” Celeste said brightly. “I brought lunch for Declan. Want to join us?”
Marissa didn’t respond. She simply followed her into the office.
Declan was flipping through a file when they entered. He glanced up, eyebrows lifting slightly. “You two came together?”
“Ran into each other downstairs.” Celeste smiled and opened the container. A strong, spicy scent filled the air instantly. “I made your favorite-
spicy beef enchiladas with extra jalapeños!”
Marissa’s expression changed instantly. “He can’t eat spicy food. His stomach can’t handle it.” Declan glanced at her, then picked up his fork. “It’s fine. Once in a while won’t kill me.”
He cut into one of the enchiladas, the sauce bright red and steaming, and took a bite like it didn’t bother him at all.
Marissa clenched her purse tighter, knuckles going white around the bottle of antacid inside.
Minutes later, sweat broke out on Declan’s forehead. The hand holding his pen trembled slightly. “Declan?” Celeste asked, concerned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said, forcing a smile. “Just… a lot of work. You two should go.”
>>
Marissa didn’t argue. She simply placed the bottle of medication on his desk… and left.
But at the elevator, she turned back.
“He got serious stomach problems,” she said quietly. “Next time you bring food, maybe be a little more careful.”
Celeste turned, her smile sickeningly sweet. “Marissa, sweetie… are you still confused about your role?”
“You were his nurse. A special one, sure–but that’s why you know all those things. Me? I don’t have to. He loves me. I could feed him poison, and he’d still take it–because it’s from me.”
Marissa’s hands trembled.
Chapter 2
EVONY
King
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She didn’t argue.
Because she knew Celeste wasn’t wrong.
It had taken her three years to earn a sliver of Declan’s attention.
And Celeste?
She didn’t have to lift a finger. He’d still swallow the poison with a smile.
