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Chapter 21
Declan stayed in Riverstone for an entire week.
On the fourth night, the very man who had hosted the auction–Mr. Clay–was suddenly reported to the authorities. Concrete evidence surfaced: he had coerced and filmed underage girls. That very
night, he was hauled into the station for questioning.
It was clear he wouldn’t be walking free again–most likely, he’d rot behind bars for the rest of his
life.
When Declan stepped out of the isolation chamber, his assistant didn’t dare look directly at the
mess that was his arms.
“Mr. Hawthorne, we’ve confirmed it–it was Mr. Sharpe who got Mr. Clay taken down. Sir… should I call a car to take you to the hospital?”
Declan’s figure swayed slightly, but he forced himself to remain upright. The pain and itching from the insect bites were almost unbearable, but he endured.
“No need. Just book me the soonest flight back to Italy.”
Though his voice was weak, his eyes burned with determination. “And while you’re at it, get me some thorny branches. And sandpaper–I’ll need it for carving.”
Two days later, Sloane stepped outside with a can of tuna in hand, planning to feed the stray cats. That’s when she saw him–and saw him there, worn out and barely holding himself together.
In just one week, Declan had dropped significant weight.
His tailored suit pants looked baggy in the sea breeze, and his rolled–up sleeves revealed raw, red,
swollen skin.
Sloane recognized the wounds instantly. She knew exactly what kind of torment came from the
confinement room. The insects. The bites.
“Sloane… I brought the photos back.”
He stepped forward cautiously, handing her a brown envelope. Sloane didn’t reject it–she took it.
Declan exhaled, just a little. Then, he handed over something else: a thorn bracelet, stained with
dried blood.
Chapter 21
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“I locked myself in the isolation chamber for three days. You said I’d never understand that kind of pain–but now I do.”
“And this bracelet–I made it myself. I want to give it to you. I’m sorry.”
Sloane’s gaze turned cold. She didn’t reach for it. “No. Those photos–you owed me. I’ll take them. But that bracelet? Even one day wearing it would be a nightmare.”
Without hesitation, Declan tossed the bracelet into the trash. “Then what now? Tell me, Sloane. What else do I need to do to make it right? Just tell me.”
She turned to leave. Desperate, he grabbed her hand again, pleading, “Is it the slaps? Was that what broke you?”
He didn’t wait for an answer–he yanked her hand up and smacked himself across the face. Again. And again.
“There! Is that enough?!”
But she simply looked up at him, calm and resolute. “It’s over, Declan. We’re even now. Don’t ever come looking for me again.”
That moment–it was the final verdict.
Like the final swing of a blade over the neck of a man who still hoped for pardon.
“Why? Why, Sloane…? Is it because of someone else? Did you fall for him?”
Her voice was soft, swept away by the sea breeze. “What does someone else have to do with it? Some love… once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can’t bring it back.”
She wasn’t just being dramatic–she was being final. There was no going back,
That evening, when Sloane closed up the café and walked home, there was no sign of Declan anywhere. She figured he had finally given up.
Until she rounded the corner near the coastal road.
A speeding car slammed on its brakes beside her, tires screeching. Before she could react, someone
jumped out.
A cloth reeking of sedatives was pressed tightly over her mouth and nose-
Chapter 21
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A CEO’s mistake becomes love when he learns her strength through hardship
