8
Eight children, and half of them weren’t even his.
Yet, because of Seraphina and those children who weren’t his, he had driven away the woman he loved most.
The private investigator finally delivered news of me. Declan returned to the mansion, utterly distraught.
He wanted to find some old memories, something to show me when he finally saw me, so I might forgive him for the sake of all those years.
But there was nothing left at home.
All those love letters and gifts had been cut up or smashed by the children.
He pounded his fist in despair, but no one cared.
<
He drove to the address the detective gave him, an address he knew all too well.
It was his best friend Liam Hayes’s estate. An ominous feeling crept into his heart.
When he arrived, a large crowd stood on the estate lawn.
They were applauding and celebrating. I stood there in a simple, elegant wedding gown, looking like a perfect match with Liam.
Declan stumbled and staggered toward us.
“No! You can’t marry him!”
He fell, sprawling on the ground like a pathetic dog.
The guests stifled their laughter.
I raised my hand, wiggling my ring finger. A dazzling, massive diamond ring glittered there.
I bent down, looking him over.
“But I already have.”
I tilted my head playfully, shrugging.
Everything before Declan’s eyes stung him.
Blood rushed to his head, his temples throbbing with a blinding pain.
Balloons soared, colorful smoke filled the air.
Amidst the cheers and blessings, I leaned in and kissed Liam’s lips.
Declan threw a punch, but it stopped mid–air.
He was pinned down by Liam’s bodyguards.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Declan was dragged to the side and beaten.
*Slap, slap, slap*. It was impossible to tell if it was applause for the celebration or the sound of fists landing on him.
Declan’s insides screamed in agony.
That night, after the ceremony ended, the guests slowly left.
Declan regained consciousness from his stupor, dragging his broken leg, and followed us to the villa entrance.
“I suggest you leave now. You might not be able to handle what’s about to happen.”
Liam’s face held a taunting expression.
“Aria, I know I was incredibly wrong, tragically wrong. Please, I beg you, forgive me!”
Declan’s voice was filled with despair.
My face remained impassive.
“If you’re begging, at least beg properly.”
“How about this? You kneel down and kowtow 100 times, and I’ll forgive you.”
