Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ever since Brielle's husband Carter died, Declan's focus in life had completely shifted.

He frequently stayed out all night just to take care of her.

The other day, Declan finally offered to spend some time with me.

I remembered a rustic mountain lodge restaurant I had bookmarked for a long time.

So, I asked him to go there with me.

It was an outdoor retreat with basic entertainment, but it was located far up in the mountains.

Halfway there, Declan's phone rang.

I vaguely heard a male voice on the other end mention Brielle's name.

Declan frowned, and a wave of unease washed over me.

He abruptly hit the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road.

"It's only three miles away. Just get out and walk the rest of the way, Chloe. I have an emergency."

"Is it because of Brielle?" I looked at him and asked softly.

His response was an exasperated scolding.

"Can you stop making a scene? Do you know how annoying your constant paranoia is?"

"Just get out of the car. I have urgent business, and I'm not joking."

I wanted to remind him that we were in the middle of nowhere.

How was I supposed to get back?

Couldn't he at least drop me off on his way back?

But Declan's eyes were full of impatience.

Maybe Brielle was just that important to him, which was why he was in such a rush.

I opened my mouth but ultimately couldn't bring myself to say anything.

Speaking up would only invite more humiliation.

Almost the second I stepped out and closed the door, Declan slammed on the gas.

He turned the car around and sped away.

Watching the car disappear into the distance, my heart shattered once again.

I took out my phone and stood by the road to call an Uber.

But it was too far from the city.

I had to add a massive tip before anyone accepted the ride.

It took the driver almost an hour to get to me.

I sat by the road, waiting for a long time before I finally got home.

Maybe it was because I had been exposed to the cold mountain wind for too long.

By midnight, I was burning up with a high fever.

I drifted in and out of sleep.

When my parched throat could no longer bear it, I dragged myself up to find some medicine.

But of course, we were completely out of meds.

Dragging my weak body, I instinctively called Declan.

Over the years, whenever I got sick, Declan was always there for me.

But I called several times, and he didn't answer.

Just as I was about to give up, the call finally connected.

"Chloe, didn't I tell you Brielle is depressed and I need to take care of her?"

"I explicitly texted you that I had an emergency and couldn't come back. Do you not understand English?"

I felt a surge of anger.

"Who is Brielle and what does she have to do with me? Is she your mother?"

"You defend her so fiercely, but I am your fiancée! Get your facts straight!"

"Chloe! How can you speak like that? Why are you so malicious now?"

"I think we need some time to cool off!"

He hung up right after saying that.

The hand holding my phone finally went limp.

I unlocked my screen and saw the text he had sent earlier in the evening.

I had been too exhausted from the day's events and had fallen asleep early, missing it completely.

But in his eyes, I was intentionally annoying him?

Thinking of this, my tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Declan was supposed to be the person I was closest to and trusted the most.

That was why my first instinct was to reach out to him for help.

But his words felt like a harsh winter wind, snapping me completely awake.

In that moment, I knew.

It was time for me to let go.

I slept huddled under my blankets all night and finally felt a bit better the next day.

I immediately ordered some cold medicine on a delivery app.

Just then, I received a new message on my screen.

It was an anonymous video.

From the angle, it was clearly taken secretly.

In the video, Declan was holding Brielle in his arms, gently coaxing her to sleep.

He looked so tender and deeply affectionate.

"Go to sleep. I'm right here with you," he whispered.

Brielle's eyes were red, looking incredibly wronged.

"Won't Chloe be mad that you're with me right now? You guys are getting married in a month."

"Besides, she refuses to let me have this baby. It really breaks my heart."

After saying that, she burst into pitiful tears.

She looked so fragile and innocent.

Declan's heart instantly ached for her, and he quickly comforted her in a soft voice.

That was until he received my phone call.

The video abruptly ended there.

"Chloe, don't you see who he really loves now?" the anonymous sender texted.

I knew that woman was Brielle.

Instantly, a wave of disgust and fury surged in my chest.

How could anyone be so shameless?

But the truth was, Declan had been staying with Brielle for over two weeks without coming home.