Chapter 3

Chapter 3

While Declan was away, I completely thought things through.

Half out of anger and half out of resignation, I posted that status on Facebook.

I never expected Roman to actually reach out to me.

But whether he was joking or serious, I was never going back to Declan.

I had already wasted too much of my life on him over the past decade.

That weekend, I dressed up and headed out with a gift.

Today was my former homeroom teacher Mrs. Miller's birthday.

My classmates had organized a birthday party for her.

By the time I arrived, everyone else was already there.

Most of them had seen my Facebook post.

Seeing me show up alone, they couldn't help but wonder if Declan and I were really over.

I ignored their staring and handed my gift to Mrs. Miller.

She used to be my English teacher and had always been kind and approachable.

She took great care of me back in school.

So I still cared deeply for this hardworking mentor.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Miller! Wishing you all the best, good health, and a long life!"

I rattled off a string of warm wishes, making her eyes crinkle with joy.

Just then, the door opened again.

It was Declan.

Following closely behind him was a radiant Brielle, wearing Declan's jacket over her shoulders.

Their fingers were tightly intertwined.

Anyone looking at them would assume they were the real couple.

For a moment, all eyes fell on the three of us.

Brielle didn't care about the stares at all.

She smiled brightly and handed her gift to Mrs. Miller.

"Hello, Mrs. Miller, I'm Brielle. I'm so sorry we're late."

"We would have been here earlier, but Declan waited for me to pick out the perfect gift for ages."

She called him Declan so intimately.

That name alone explained everything.

The gossip in everyone's eyes grew even more intense.

Everyone in the room knew Declan and I were a couple.

Carter was also our old classmate.

He had just died, and his widow was already hooking up with his best friend.

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

But as the person involved, I couldn't care less.

I even took out my phone to text Roman.

Lately, we had been seriously discussing our upcoming marriage.

He was totally different from what I had imagined.

This man, whom I had always considered a bloodsucking capitalist, surprisingly clicked with me.

Whenever I talked to Roman, the sadness I felt over Declan seemed to fade away.

【Bloodsucking Boss: Shall I come pick you up later?】

My typing fingers paused for a second before I replied.

【Sure, thanks, boss!】

【Bloodsucking Boss: We're getting married soon. You can just call me Roman.】

Seeing this, my cheeks inexplicably burned.

This interaction clearly fell into Declan's line of sight.

His face darkened instantly.

Halfway through the party, I went to the restroom to touch up my makeup.

But the moment I walked out, Declan blocked my path.

"Chloe," he said, his tone dripping with jealousy.

"Who were you just texting?"

"Do I need to report to you about who I talk to?" I looked back at him calmly.

"You can be all lovey-dovey with Brielle, but you want to control who I talk to?"

"Aren't you ridiculous, Declan?"

I was about to leave, but Declan wordlessly wrapped his jacket around my shoulders.

I immediately frowned and dodged him.

"Are you sick?"

"Who told you to dress so revealingly? Several guys were staring at you earlier."

He forcefully draped the jacket over me again.

I impatiently ripped it off and threw it on the floor.

"I don't want clothes that Brielle has worn!"

"Actually, I don't want anything of yours anymore."

With that, I walked straight back to the private room.

A few minutes later, Declan returned to his seat with a gloomy expression.

Mrs. Miller's birthday party proceeded in utter awkwardness.

When it finally ended, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

That included Declan and Brielle.

As he held Brielle's hand and walked past me, he coldly threw out a sentence.

"I have to take Brielle home and might not be back tonight. Just take an Uber."

Brielle playfully swatted Declan's arm.

"How could you be so mean? Chloe is your fiancée. You can't just make her take an Uber because of me!"

"Don't listen to him, Chloe. Get in the car, and I'll have him drop you off first."

She spoke as if she were the lady of the house.

And I was the outsider.

I brushed off Brielle's hand and said indifferently, "No need. My ride is here."

Honk―

A sleek black Maybach slowly pulled up right in front of me.