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Curious, she opened the box. Inside was a gleaming necklace.
The eight–carat teardrop aquamarine was glowing with a clear, pure blue.
Tiny diamonds lined the chain, elegant but not flashy.
It was the exact necklace she’d admired at the shop.
“You bought this?” she said, her eyes lighting up.
“You liked it, so I got it.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You noticed? When did you start picking up on stuff like that?”
Her tone was teasing, but she was already heading to the bedroom to try it on.
Declan followed. She slipped into a champagne–colored strappy dress, the necklace resting perfectly against her skin.
He watched her, lost in thought.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling. “I really do love it.”
That smile softened something in him.
“Mr. Eric Olson called earlier,” he said. “There’s a class reunion tomorrow.”
“High school reunion?” Cordelia asked after a pause.
She thought for a second, then remembered.
She, Declan, and Belinda had all gone to the same school.
That explained the necklace. Declan would be seeing Belinda at the reunion party.
“Knew it,” Cordelia muttered. “Nobody gives gifts for no reason.”
Declan shook his head. “No, I’m thinking of bringing you with me.”
She looked up. “Seriously? You hate that kind of thing.”
Back in school, no one could ever convince him to show up for anything social.
“Mr. Olson was our homeroom teacher,” Declan said. “He’s eighty now, not doing great. Might not have much time left.
“He wants to see his old students one last time.”
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09:34
Chapter 15
Cordelia nodded right away.
Eric had always been kind to her.
When she’d nearly collapsed from a fever, he’d noticed and rushed her to the hospital.
She wanted to see him again.
That night, Cordelia and Declan were still sharing a room.
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Declan grabbed a pillow and blanket and curled up on the couch in the corner. His legs were awkwardly bent.
Cordelia glanced over. “Hey, that couch isn’t comfortable to sleep on, is it?”
He stiffened, then looked up at her with expectant eyes.
But she just pulled out her phone. “I’ll order a bigger one so you can stretch out.”
Declan turned to the wall with a shrug.
Cordelia rolled her eyes.
She should have known better.
Later, she slipped in her earplugs and settled into bed.
Darrell was still in his room, and no one knew if he’d start howling in the night.
Thankfully, he didn’t, and she got a full night’s sleep.
The next morning, while doing her skincare, she noticed her fine lines looked softer–sleep helped.
She fussed over her makeup until the last minute.
Declan was waiting quietly nearby.
While brushing on setting powder, she caught him in the mirror.
He looked softer than usual, almost like a perfect, doting husband.
Once she was done, she slipped into the strappy dress, clasped the aquamarine necklace, and headed out.
“We’re going to the reunion,” she told the staff. “Keep a close eye on the kids, especially Darrell.
“If he starts crying or acting up, don’t go soft.”
“Yes, Mrs. Beasley,” they replied in unison.
The reunion was held at a manor owned by one of Eric’s relatives. The scenery was beautiful, but the location was re-
mote.
By the time the car finally stopped, Cordelia looked pale. The winding roads had nearly made her sick.
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09:35
1288 Vouchers
Chapter 15
She told Declan to go find a parking spot, then walked in slowly on her own.
But she didn’t get far.
Just inside the entrance, a group of women was gathered around Belinda, chatting away.
“How time flies! Can you believe we’re all in our forties?”
“I know. We’ve aged, gained weight, except Belinda. She hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Yeah. I heard she’s teaching music now. Pretty good pay, too.”
Belinda basked in the compliments, smiling. “Please, we’ve known each other forever. You’re just flattering me.”
Cordelia had heard the gossip. When Belinda started teaching, she had married a rich man.
A few years in, he cheated and left, blaming her for not being able to have kids.
She’d been single ever since.
Cordelia had always been bold and sharp, which made her a target for certain cliques back in school.
She had no interest in chatting with them now.
When she was about to walk past, someone spoke up.
“Belinda, that necklace is gorgeous. Is it a gift from your boyfriend?”
Belinda lowered her head and smiled shyly, not denying it.
She couldn’t help sneaking a look at the necklace.
It was identical to the one Declan had given her.
“What the hell? Declan gave his mistress the same necklace?” Cordelia muttered under her breath.
She was just about to step inside when those women finally noticed her.
The short–haired one with the round face, who’d been gushing the loudest, looked her up and down.
Finally, recognition dawned. “You’re… Cordelia?”
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