14
During this period, I hid at home, ignoring Declan. I couldn’t deny that his hurtful actions plunged me into a cycle of self–justification. I did nothing wrong, yet his prejudice led to my mistreatment.
Even though he hadn’t done anything to harm me in the past 13 years, the thought of his initial intentions, his repeated choices to push me aside for Cora; The pain in my heart clung to me like a parasite, trapping me in the fantasy he wove.
Only when I felt the unconditional love from my parents did I see my escape route. I realized I had imprisoned myself. I’m fine. I’m living honestly, I have a clear conscience! I don’t need validation from Declan’s love. He’s not worth it.
I proactively went to Declan’s company to find him. Seeing this man I once deeply loved, I just felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
Declan awkwardly put out his cigarette and waved his hand in the air. I even saw a flash of joy in his eyes. I dislike the smell of smoke.
Although Declan occasionally smoked, he wasn’t addicted. But seeing the cigarette butts piled in the ashtray, it seemed he hadn’t been doing well lately. However, Cora also disliked the smell of smoke.
10:23 AM
<
“Honey, you… you finally came to see me.” I sat calmly across from him, quietly observing the man in front of me.
Declan was handsome, with deep eyes and sharp features, always a dreamboat for many girls.
Such a nearly perfect man, yet he expressed all his attention and favoritism when I appeared. I naively thought that was love. How ridiculous.
Now, Declan’s eyes were dark with heavy circles, his clothes wrinkled, and the cuffs had some oil stains.
If not for his good looks, he wouldn’t be much different from a greasy middle–aged man.
It turns out, all his goodness was just a filter my love provided.
I calmly placed the documents on the coffee table and pushed them towards him. “Let’s divorce. There’s no need to drag this out.” Declan stared at me intently. “Phoebe, there’s no need to be so aggressive. We don’t have to come to this point of divorce.”
“Why not divorce! Since we know it’s a mistake, there’s no need to continue. Is it fun to torment each other with different dreams while sharing
the same bed?”
“Declan, are you hesitating to divorce because… you’ve fallen for me?
С
Have you fallen in love with me?” Declan’s face changed dramatically, but years of habits prevented him from facing his true feelings.
But I’m no longer the Phoebe who considers everything for him.
I ruthlessly tore apart the man’s disguise, exposing his hypocrisy.
“Declan, you’re just a coward. You claim to love Cora but don’t have the courage to pursue her. You hide behind the guise of protecting her to get close to me, using me as a means to spy on her. You’re nothing but a clown.”
“What do you know? That’s because I respect her. I know the person she loves is Jasper.”
“And what about me? Am I just supposed to be used by you, a sacrifice in the name of love?” Declan had a moment of deflation, muttering dejectedly. “I never intended to hurt you, it’s just in your past life…”
“I told you, the person from the past life wasn’t me.” Declan’s eyes were full of scrutiny and doubt, But I no longer cared.
“I respect her because I know the person she loves is Jasper.”
“What about me? Am I just meant to be your pawn, sacrificed in the name of love?”
Declan seemed momentarily defeated, muttering to himself in frustration.
“I never intended to hurt you; it’s just that in your past life…”
“I told you, that wasn’t me.”
Suspicion clouded Declan’s eyes, but I was past caring.
“Declan, it’s really amusing. Just because you believe I did all those bad things, you refuse to see the real me and blindly label me as a villain. But ask yourself honestly, in 13 years, have I ever done anything to harm others?”
Declan opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
Even if I could pretend, could I keep it up for a month, two months, a year, two years, or even 13 years?”
1 looked at the man before me with a cold smile.
“Because of your past life memories, you always look at me through tinted glasses. But those without such memories see the real me.”
“Cora sees me as a good sister, Jasper considers me a friend, and my parents have always loved me unconditionally… except you. You’re the only one who holds unconditional prejudice against me.”
10:23 AM
<
う
“I’m not some evil supporting character; that’s just your imagination. You think you see me clearly, but you’re the blindest one.”
“Declan, you’re not worthy of me, and you can’t give me the love I want. From start to finish, you’re the most toxic presence.”
Declan’s eyes reddened as he listened to my honest confession.
He stared at me, but his neck remained stiff. He couldn’t admit his mistakes or bow his head because that would mean everything he did for the past 13 years was a joke.
“Let’s part ways peacefully and leave each other
