Chapter 2
I’d imagined every possibility-
Maybe she was some ambitious secretary trying to climb the ladder.
Maybe an innocent intern.]
Hell, maybe some socialite gold–digger trying to snag herself a Montgomery.]
But it was none of those
Declan was at a shoot for the company’s new commercial campaign.]
When I stormed in and saw the woman–just one look–I knew Declan and I were done.]
Scarlett Reed. 5’94, Gorgeous waves of hair.
The commercial’s lead model
More specifically, a disabled model.[]
Her left leg below the knee was a prosthetic.
And Declan… his mother, who’d passed away, had also been disabled.
A Montgomery bastard son with a disabled mother–that was enough to make his life hell in a family full of legitimate heirs.]
The cruelest thing they used to say: “Your mom’s a cripple, so you’re damaged goods too!“]
“Why should some broken woman’s kid get to compete with us?”
His mother never had their father’s favor, and Declan suffered for it.
Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore and jumped from the 30th floor.
Declan used to be bitter about it: “If she was too weak to handle it, she shouldn’t have had me.”
“Sometimes I think disabled people have no business having kids. They’re destined to carry more burdens, and so are their chuldren.“||
But now here he was, in love with another disabled woman.]
Anan who’d lived through that specific pain had still fallen for her.
The implications hit me like needles pricking my skin.]
When I walked over, Declan looked shocked. “Grace? What are you doing here?”
My eyes met Scarlett’s appraising gaze. “Just wanted to see how the shoot was going.”
Surprisingly, Scarlett spoke up with confidence:]
“You must be Declan’s fiancée, Ms. Whitmore. I’ve heard so much about you–you’re even more beautiful in person. I’m Scarlett Reed, the lead model for this campaign.“[]
I realized that aside from the prosthetic, Scarlett radiated sunshine and confidence.[]
She seemed completely at case, no different from anyone else.
So that wa
it, wasn’t it, Declan?
Declan avoided my eyes, looking agitated.
Scarlett, even in 4–inch heels, towered over ine as she looked down with what seemed like envy: “I’m so jealous of your height. Ms. Whitmore. You look so delicate and cute.”
Not like me–such a giant.”
I watched her standing almost shoulder–to–shoulder with 6’2” Declan, not missing the hint of challenge in her eyes.[]
I just smiled without warmth and settled into Declan’s usual director’s chair, crossing my arms.
“Don’t mind me. Keep shooting.”
But then everything went to shit-
The male model who was supposed to embrace Scarlett in the final scene suddenly lost control, pinning her down and forcing a kiss.
He groped her roughly, snarling: “Stop playing hard to get! I’m CRAZY about you–why won’t you be with me?”
“AH!“]]
In seconds, he’d torn her clothes.
A flash of movement–Declan was already charging forward.]
He grabbed the guy and landed a vicious punch that drew immediate blood.
Everyone rushed to help Scarlett, wrapping her shaking form in jackets.
Declan’s eyes were wild with rage, ignoring the man’s pleas of “Stop! Please! I’m sorry“]
WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.||
The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed through the studio.
The fury radiating from Declan was like a beast protecting its territory.
I’d only seen him like this once before–when I’d gotten hurt defending him from his family’s cruelty-
His knuckles were getting bloodier, the model was getting weaker, but Declan’s hits kept getting more brutal.
I couldn’t take it anymore and rushed over to grab his arm: “Declan, ENOUGH!”
GE
