Chapter 1
After dinner, I was curled up in Declan’s lap when he suddenly whispered against my neck, “Baby, you feel so small tonight.”
I went completely still. Sure, I’m 5’3” and he’s 6’2“, but after SIX YEARS together, why would my size suddenly feel different to
him?
I forced out a laugh. “What? You’re just now noticing how small I am?“]
Declan knew he’d messed up. He covered fast, pinning me against the wall with a kiss that tasted like panic.[]
When we broke apart, his voice was all rough sweetness: “Don’t be crazy, baby. I love how perfectly you fit in my arms.”
That night, he took me with a désperate hunger that felt almost… guilty.]
The next morning when my sis Emma flew back from Paris with designer gifts, she took one look at my neck and grinned: “Jesus, Grace. Dedan’s gonna wreck you at this rate.“[]
But I just grabbed her hand, my voice deadly quiet:
“Emma, I’m calling off the wedding.”
-0
“Grace, maybe it’s just a misunderstanding?” Emma unpacked our lunch delivery, laying out each container carefully.
“Look, six years straight–Declan handles literally everything in your life.”
“Even Mom and Dad say he treats you like an absolute princess.
“At work, he’s this scary ass CEO nobody wants to mess with. But with you? Guy’s basically your personal puppy dog.”
I pulled my cartoon blanket tighter around me, staying quiet.]]
Even this blanket–Declan had waited in line for three hours at Disneyland to buy it for me.]
Sometimes I felt guilty about being so high–maintenance, but he’d just smile and say, “Grace is literally my dream girl–I still can’t believe she’s mine.”
“Pretty girls deserve to be treated like queens, duh.“[]
Suddenly, his special ringtone cut through the silence.
Sqon as I answered, he jumped right in:[]
“Baby, don’t eat the pasta–the chef used shrimp stock. I just checked the ingredients list.“[]
“Either give it to Emma or toss it, okay? I’ll take you somewhere amazing for dinner tonight, I promise.”
Hearing that familiar gentle care made my throat tighten with unshed tears.]
My voice came out muffled: “Okay.”
After he hung up, Emma shot me a knowing look and pulled the pasta toward herself.[]
“Your boyfriend’s obsessed with details–even calls back to check ingredients.“||
She shook her head. “This is the guy you think is cheating? No way in hell.“]
I stayed silent, my heart a mess of conflicting emotions.
Ever since that mild allergic reaction left me covered in hives, Declan had stayed awake all night in the ER with me, his eyes red with worry. “Baby, I swear I’ll always check your food from now on.“]
And he had kept that promise.[]
But then Emma opened the last container with a loud POP.]]
There sat a container of creamy risotto loaded with fresh herbs.]]
My hand froze mid–air.]
“Huh? Extra herbs on the risotto–my baby loves them.” Emma squinted at the receipt, looking confused. “Grace, don’t you HATE herbs on your risotto?“]
She looked up and saw my expression.]
Her face went serious. “So… he really DOES have another baby out there?“]
Mr. Perfect–with–every–detail Declan had never once ordered me anything with herbs. Not once.
Combined with what he’d said last night…
I sat there stunned, a bitter ache spreading through my chest.
Finally, I let out a hollow laugh. “Yeah. Declan’s definitely cheating.”
My fiancé had not only held another woman–he’d been ordering her meals, learning her preferences.
All the things that used to be mine alone.]
So thus other woman was tall and obsessed with herbs, huh?
I grabbed my car keys and headed for the door. “Emma, I’m going to Declan’s office.“[]
I was gonna find out what kind of bitch had stolen my man after six damn years.[]
