Chapter 2
The operating room lights stayed on, and the hallway was so quiet you could only hear breathing.
Callie sat on the bench, her fingertips ice–cold. Mia sat across from her, eyes red and puffy, glancing toward the operating room every now and then.
Finally, Mia spoke softly: “Miss Hartwell, I’m sorry we’re causing you trouble again.“[]
Callie looked up at her but said nothing.[]
Mia wiped her tears, her voice choked: “I really never thought… after all these years, Declan would still love me this deeply.“]
She paused, as if lost in memories.]
“You know what? Last year on my birthday, he flew all the way to Paris just to bring me a necklace… I’d casually mentioned liking the design once, and he remembered all long. But I was still mad at him, so I flung it back and wouldn’t let him in the door.“[]
Callie’s fingers clenched tight suddenly, nails digging deep into her palms.[]
year De
She remembered crystal clear–last year Declan told her he had a three–day business trip abroad.[]
When he came back, he tossed her a necklace like it was nothing.
She was overjoyed and treasured it at the very bottom of her jewelry box, too precious to even wear. But it turned out… it was it was hand–me–down from Mia.
Mia kept talking: “And Christmas two years ago, I had this huge fight with my boyfriend and posted something really negative on social media. When Declan saw it, he flew over that same night and stood outside my apartment building all night long. It was snowing hard, and he just stood there, but never dared come up and knock.“[]
Callie’s heart clenched violently.[]
She remembered that Christmas night–Declan had been unusually passionate, taking her seven times. She thought he was finally starting to feel something for her.
When she woke up the next morning, the pillow beside her was already cold. She figured he’d left to handle some urgent business.]
Turns out… he’d rushed off to see Mia.
1
“These past three years…” Mia’s tears fell again, “I kept giving him the cold shoulder on purpose, deliberately not contacting him. But Declan never forgot about me for a single day. He wrote me a letter every day, even though I never once wrote back.“]
Callie suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe.]]
So many late nights, she’d seen the study light on and thought
Turns out… he was writing love letters to Mia.]]
the
was handling company documents. She’d even made coffee and brought it to him.
She’d always thought that at least during the time Magone, Declan had genuinely wanted to build a life with her.
Now she finally got it–from beginning to end, it had all been her own wishful thinking.
The heart she thought she’d finally warmed was thinking about someone else the whole time.[]
Seeing that Mia was about to keep going, Callie jerked to her feet.[]
Her face was pale as paper, but her voice fought to stay calm: “I’ve got things to do, I gotta go.“[]
Without waiting for Mia’s response, she turned and walked away quickly, pace quickening until she was practically fleeing.[]
Back home, she silently packed all her belongings, just waiting for the divorce papers to kick in.[]
During this time, she could see updates about Declan through Mia’s social media every day-
His surgery had been successful, but he didn’t rest for a moment. He inunediately arranged the best hospital room for Mia’s mother, brought in top
medical teams from abroad, and even personally oversaw every treatment plan.[]
Mia’s latest post was a photo.]]
Declan sat beside the hospital bed, IV drip in his arm, head bent in concentration as he peeled a pomegranate for her.
Her caption read: [I’ll never meet anyone who loves me this much again.]]]
Callie’s heart clenched painfully, tears splashing onto her phone screen, blurring Declan’s gentle profile in the photo.
She remembered how she’d taken care of him with the same devotion all these years.]
When his stomach bothered him, she’d make bland toast and herbal tea every day;[]
When he was busy with work, she’d always keep the lights on waiting for him to come home;
The fruit she brought him was always peeled and pitted, cut into perfect bite–sized pieces…]
But now, he was doing all this for someone else.[]
She took a shaky breath, wiped away her tears, and told herself:[]
It’s all good. Once she stopped loving him, she’d love herself right.[]
