9.09%
Chapter 3
That night, Declan came home looking ghost–pale.
Marissa was in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water. When she heard the door, she turned-
and nearly dropped the glass.
“You didn’t take your meds?” Her voice came out sharp, panicked.
“Too late for that,” he muttered, collapsing onto the couch. “Had to get my stomach pumped.”
His skin was slick with cold sweat, bangs plastered to his forehead.
Marissa’s hand jerked, and the boiling water splashed across her skin. A red welt immediately
bloomed on the back of her hand.
He really loved Celeste that much?
Loved her enough to end up in the ER just to eat her cooking?
She carried over a cup of warm water and knelt beside him, gently pressing her hand to his
stomach.
Declan sipped the water and slowly began to relax under her touch. The lines between his brows
softened as he leaned against her shoulder–half–asleep, half–conscious.
Just like he had, so many nights before.
But this time, Marissa didn’t linger. Didn’t let herself memorize the curve of his jaw or the shape of
his lips.
She gently lowered him onto the couch, tucked a blanket over his shoulders…
And walked away without looking back.
By the time he woke up the next morning, Declan was already dressed to the nines, standing in the living room with a deep frown.
“Why does it feel like half the stuff in this house is gone?”
Marissa opened her mouth, ready to explain–but he was already moving on.
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“Celeste has a gallery opening today. She invited us.”
“I-”
“She just got back to the States. Doesn’t know many people.” His voice left no room for argument. “You’d be doing her a favor by showing up.”
Marissa clenched her fists at her sides… and nodded.
The exhibit was hosted at a sleek downtown gallery in Westbridge. The moment they arrived, Celeste all but flew into Declan’s arms.
“Declan!” she beamed, looping her arm around his. “Come on, I want you to see this one first.”
She pointed to an oil painting of snowcapped peaks. Her voice softened to a whisper. “I painted it in Norvale. Every day I was there, I kept thinking about you.”
Declan said nothing. His gaze lingered on the canvas, dark and unreadable.
And then, without a word… he bought the entire collection.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Guess the rumors were true–Mr. Hawthorne really did spoil her rotten back in the day.”
“She dumped him once already, and he still treats her like royalty? That’s love, alright…”
Celeste turned and cast Marissa a triumphant glance. While Declan stepped away to handle the payment, she sauntered over.
“Did you hear that?” Her smile was laced with poison. “Even after all this time… I’m still the one he wants.”
She leaned in, lips brushing Marissa’s ear. “But if you still don’t get it, I’d be more than happy to make things even clearer for you.”
Just then, a shrill siren blared through the gallery.
“Fire! Everyone out!”
Panic exploded like a grenade.
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Marissa was shoved aside by the scrambling crowd. Pain shot through her ankle as it twisted
beneath her. Her vision blurred from the agony.
She tried to stand–but then she heard it. “Celeste! Celeste, where are you?!”
Declan’s voice, raw with panic. The kind of panic Marissa had never once heard in all the years
she’d known him.
Moments later, he appeared through the smoke, found Celeste huddled in a corner, and wrapped
his arms around her.
Without a backward glance, he carried her out of the building.
Marissa slumped to the ground, watching their silhouettes vanish into the smoke.
TE
She tried to get up, tried to crawl-
And then–CRASH.
A burning beam came down hard.
The next time she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by blinding white.
Hy
“Marissa!” Jamie Brooks burst into the room, her eyes swollen and frantic. “Oh my god, you’re awake! You scared the hell out of me! Do you even know how close you were to dying?!”
Marissa tried to turn her head. Every bone in her body screamed in protest.
“Where’s Declan?” Her voice was hoarse and dry.
Jamie’s face turned stormy. “Him? He’s off playing nurse to Celeste. You cracked a rib, but poor
Celeste scraped her arm–so obviously she needs his full attention.” ⠀⠀⠀
Marissa closed her eyes. Even breathing hurt.
Jamie’s hands tightened around hers, eyes welling up. “I don’t get it. When he was paralyzed, you were the one who took care of him–no sleep, no breaks, always watching over him. Now you’re the one lying in this bed, and he can’t even show up?”
Her voice cracked. “Marissa, he’s healed. He can walk again. But he hasn’t said a word about being with you. How long are you going to keep holding onto someone who won’t even look back?”
The only sound in the room came from the heart monitor.
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Beep. Beep. Beep.
After a long pause, Marissa finally spoke.
“I’m working on my visa.”
Jamie stared.
“When it’s approved…” Marissa kept her eyes on the ceiling, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m leaving.‘
Just then, the door slammed open.
“Leaving?” Declan stood at the threshold, face like thunder. “Who is going to leave?”
Chapter 3
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