Chapter 18
If Eric hadn’t come back and taken her to the hospital, she didn’t know how long she would’ve been lying there.
“What you
didn’t know,” Eric added, “is that Declan called me. He said you looked pale earlier, like you weren’t feel- ing well. He was off–campus for a competition, so he asked me to check on you.”
She paused, fork still in her hand, letting the truth sink in.
Then she looked at Declan in surprise.
But he kept peeling shrimp, not meeting her eyes.
“Huh. I didn’t expect you to care,” she said.
He slid a small plate of peeled shrimp toward her, calm as ever.
“I’ve always cared,” he said.
Cordelia just never noticed.
She stared at the shrimp, a strange warmth stirring in her chest.
The other women watched the couple with envy.
Belinda, though, couldn’t stop staring at the shrimp in front of Cordelia. Her own food sat untouched.
A few people noticed, exchanging quiet, knowing glances.
It was an open secret that Belinda had always liked Declan.
Some had thought they’d end up together.
But to their surprise, he married Cordelia, who used to challenge him at every turn.
Velma, still rooting for Belinda, looked sour,
She popped a piece of meat into her mouth and forced a laugh.
“Remember the old days?” she said, “Belinda used to bring Declan breakfast every single day for three years? And never the same thing. I was jealous just watching.”
Declan paused and looked up at Belinda. “Wait, that was you?”
Belinda looked down shyly. “Yeah. I heard you liked egg bagels, so I’d get up early and grab them from the market. Later, I worried you’d get bored, so I started changing things up.”
A few of the men chuckled.
0.0 %
09:37
Chapter 18
288 iVouchers
“Man, you were living the dream,” one of them cried out. “If someone brought me breakfast every day, I’d have mar- ried her on the spot.”
Declan, however, looked grim.
The truth hit him harder than expected.
He took a slow sip of water and stayed quiet.
Velma went on, “I always thought you and Belinda would end up together.
“But Cordelia… well, she really nailed it, didn’t she?”
The others set down their forks, waiting for it to blow up.
Velma kept it breezy, but everyone heard the sting.
It sounded like Cordelia had stolen Declan from Belinda.
Cordelia didn’t like that, but she kept her smile easy. “So I broke up a pair of star–crossed lovers?
“What a shame. But my family and Declan’s go way back. We were practically promised to each other before we were born.
“Otherwise, I would’ve let Belinda have him.”
This was enough for them to see her connection to the Beasley family.
Belinda wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Someone laughed. “Guess that explains all the bickering–childhood sweethearts, love–hate deal.”
Velma had meant to rattle her, but gave her the upper hand instead.
Velma looked down and quietly had her soup.
Belinda looked worse.
She hadn’t known about the history before.
After the brief exchange, he didn’t respond to anything else Belinda said.
Cordelia, meanwhile, was bright–eyed and chatty.
She kept nudging Declan’s elbow.
“Declan, was the breakfast good?”
He didn’t answer.
After a few more nudges, he sighed and started stacking food onto her plate.
“Eat. It helps with the pregnancy stuff.”
35.7 %
09:36
Chapter 18
He said it just loud enough to make her cheeks flush. She quit teasing.
Eric watched them and chortled.
“Look at that. They’re made for each other.”
Cordelia held back the urge to roll her eyes.
Declan was getting his way, for now.
After lunch, the guests said their goodbyes and started heading out.
Out of nowhere, Eric pulled Cordelia aside.
“Cordelia, I can read people. Declan doesn’t say much, but trust me, he cares about you.”
She smiled politely but didn’t buy it.
In her view, Declan probably spent half his time figuring out how to drive her nuts.
Still, Eric meant well, so she played along.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Olson. I’ll do my best to make it work.
“Take care, and hopefully we’ll all get together again soon.”
While they talked, Declan walked over to Belinda.
“Belinda, got a minute?”
Her eyes lit up.
Velma gave her a look, mouthing, “This is your chance. Don’t blow it.”
Belinda turned to him with a hopeful smile.
“Sure. What’s up?”
He held her gaze for a beat, then pulled a bank card from his pocket.
Belinda blinked. “Declan, what’s this?”
“I had no idea you were the one bringing me breakfast all those years.
“I feel bad. Here, this should cover it,” he explained.
Then he placed the card in her hand and walked away.
“Wait, who did you think was making you breakfast all those years?” Belinda called after him.
Declan turned and saw Cordelia leaning against the doorframe with a half–smile.
“All done?
68.9 %
09:37
288 iVouchers
Chapter 19
