Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Declan panicked immediately.

He quickly stepped forward to support me, his face full of worry. "Maddy, why are you suddenly throwing up? Are you feeling unwell?"

I kept dry heaving and only managed to calm down after a long time.

I could never figure it out.

Why would Declan, who once treated me with such deep affection and promised me a lifetime, cheat on me?

Wasn't he afraid of being discovered and ruining our years of relationship?

Or did he think his cover-up was flawless, confident he could keep me in the dark forever?

The cool evening breeze brushed against my cheeks, gradually clearing my chaotic thoughts.

Declan frowned deeply, his tone filled with concern.

"Are you okay, Maddy? If you're feeling sick, I'll take you to the hospital right now for a checkup."

"There's no need. I probably just ate something bad for dinner, and my stomach is acting up."

"Then come straight to the company to find me tomorrow. We'll eat all three meals together, and I'll personally monitor your diet."

I sneered secretly in my heart.

Go to the company? Go watch you and Brielle being intimate in your office with my own eyes?

A mischievous, almost spiteful thought suddenly arose in my mind.

"Sure. I'll go to the company with you tomorrow morning and keep you company while you work."

I smiled faintly. "We can have lunch together, and then go home together in the evening."

Declan completely didn't expect me to agree so readily.

A trace of reluctance and awkwardness flashed across his face. "But I have a lot of work piled up lately. I'm afraid I won't have time to be with you every second."

"You can just focus on your work. I'll quietly wait for you in your office and won't disturb you."

"…Alright then." Declan hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded in agreement.

After returning home, Declan offered to draw a bath for me.

However, after entering the bathroom, he uncharacteristically closed the door behind him.

I went downstairs alone and sat back inside the car.

The moment I started the vehicle, the car screen immediately popped up with the latest chat messages.

Declan: There's a change of plans. We can't have our date in the office tomorrow.

Bri-baby: Ah? I'm so disappointed.

Declan: Don't be gloomy, my little kitten. I'll take you to the company rooftop tomorrow. No one will bother us there, and it's more thrilling.

Bri-baby: Hehe, you know exactly what I want.

After reading the messages, I expressionlessly turned off the screen and went back to the bedroom.

Just then, Declan walked out of the bathroom.

He spoke gently, "Maddy, the bathwater is ready. Go take a hot bath to relax."

"No thanks, I'm a bit sleepy and just want to rest."

"Alright, go to sleep early if you're tired."

He smiled. "By the way, can I open the gift you left on the living room table now?"

My tone was flat. "You can open it in a week."

"Why wait a week? I'm so curious about what surprise my Maddy prepared for me right now."

"Because… only after a week will this gift hold its true meaning."

Because in a week, I would leave him completely.

I would travel abroad and sever all ties.

Declan bent down and planted a soft kiss on my forehead, pampering me gently. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

Early the next morning, the sky was just getting light when Declan's phone began ringing frequently.

He irritably dismissed the ringtone, turned around, and pulled me into his arms. "Ignore these trivial matters. Sleep with me a little longer."

But the phone was relentless, ringing over and over again.

Declan frowned, looking annoyed, and muttered in a low voice.

"It's not even working hours yet, and they keep calling. These executives have no sense of boundaries. I'll fire them all sooner or later."

He forcefully hung up the phone again.

When the phone rang for the third time, Declan could no longer suppress his temper.

He angrily got out of bed. "Maddy, sleep a bit longer. I'll go see what urgent matter this is."

I replied softly, "Okay."

I slowly turned sideways, my back facing him, my eyes clear and cold.

Declan walked out of the bedroom with his phone.

He soon appeared at the front gate of the villa.

A delivery guy in a uniform was standing outside the door, handing a package to him.

Declan took the package and returned empty-handed a moment later.

I pretended to ask casually, "Did something urgent happen at the company?"

Declan masked his expression and smiled warmly.

"It's nothing major. Don't worry about it. Just rest peacefully, and I'll go make breakfast for you."

I didn't know if he was feeling guilty or genuinely worried about my stomach.

But he specially prepared an exceptionally lavish breakfast.

Warm milk, boiled eggs, whole-wheat bread, jam, and my favorite oatmeal porridge. It had everything.

"You can't eat out randomly anymore. I plan to hire a housekeeper to cook three meals for you every day to condition your stomach."

"Don't trouble yourself."

"Be good, Maddy. Take good care of yourself, or I won't have peace of mind when I go to work."

I put down my knife and fork, looked up at him, and spoke in a calm tone. "Declan, I want to ask you a question."

"Ask away."

"The seven-year itch. Do you think there's any truth to it?"

Declan immediately put on a disdainful expression, his tone firm.

"That's just an excuse for men who cheat. It means nothing to me. In this lifetime, I only have eyes for you, Madeline. I will never change my heart."

"You will only love me for the rest of your life?"

"I never break my promises."

"Then what if one day, you fall in love with another woman?"

Declan didn't hesitate, taking a solemn oath.

"If I ever change my heart and love someone else, I'm willing to be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

I curled my lips into a sarcastic smile.

"Such a heavy oath. Aren't you afraid it will actually come true on you?"

"I'm speaking the truth from my heart. What is there to be afraid of?"

I didn't say anything more.

I picked up the knife and fork again and slowly spread jam on my bread.

Declan looked at me, his tone carrying a bit of grievance. "Maddy, you have to believe in my true heart."

I replied faintly, "Just eat."

"Are you still refusing to believe me? Do I have to rip my heart out to show you before you drop your doubts?"

"The employees at the company are still waiting for you. Don't be late."

Declan finally relaxed his expression and sat back at the dining table.

His tone carried a bit of arrogance. "It doesn't matter if they wait a little longer. They're just a bunch of incompetent subordinates. I'll find a chance to fire them all sooner or later."

"Could you bear to fire her?"

I purposely used "her" instead of "them," my tone carrying a hidden probe.

I didn't know if Declan caught the deeper meaning.

I only heard his casual reply: "Besides you, there is nothing I cannot bear to let go."