The End of a Hidden Love Story

I've been in a secret relationship with Declan Gibson for five years, and I've tried to seduce him more times than I can count.

Yet, when I stand in front of him in my birthday suit and a pair of bunny ears, all he does is worry that I'll catch a cold and wrap me in a blanket.

I used to think his restraint came from being the mafia don, that he was saving our first time for our wedding night.

However, one month before the ceremony, he secretly plans the city's grandest fireworks show to celebrate his childhood sweetheart's birthday.

They hug and share a slice of cake in public. That night, they check into a hotel.

…

The next morning, I watch them leave together. That's when I realize Declan is not restrained. He just doesn't love me, so I walk out of the hotel.

I call my parents. "Dad, I've broken up with Declan. I'll marry into the Sullivan family as planned."

My father is stunned. "I thought you were madly in love with Declan. Why did you break up? I heard Bryson can't have children. You've always loved kids. What will you do once you marry him?"

"It's fine," I reply, disheartened. "We can always adopt."

For five long years, Declan Gibson and I kept our relationship hidden. I had tried to seduce him more times than I could count.

Yet, one month before our wedding ceremony, he quietly organized the city's grandest fireworks display for his childhood sweetheart's birthday.

After they embraced in public, they shared a slice of cake. They even checked into a hotel together later that night.

…

I watched them leave the hotel, side by side. That was when the truth hit me—Declan wasn't showing restraint. He just didn't love me.

As I exited the hotel, I rang my parents. "Dad, I'm done with Declan. I'll marry into the Sullivan family as planned."

Shocked, my dad replied, "I thought you were madly in love with Declan. How did you two break up? I also heard that Bryson is infertile. You've always wanted a family, so what are you going to do once you marry him?"

"It's fine," came my voice, laced with resignation. "There's always adoption."

My words left my dad stunned. Then, he pressed, "Do you know that Bryson was in a car crash last year? He suffered nerve damage to his lower body. He can't have kids anymore! If you marry him, you'll be a widow in all but name!"

My hand holding the phone shook slightly. So what if I was a widow in all but name?

"Dad, Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm flying back in three days to get engaged to Bryson," I replied. "Whatever happens after that, good or bad, I'll live with it."

And with that, I hung up. I knew they loved me, but they didn't know what Declan had put me through.

For the past five years, I was always the one reaching out to him. Yet, he rejected me every time.

I even started to doubt myself. Maybe I wasn't charming enough to turn him on. In the end, I comforted myself with the thought that he just wanted to save our first time for our wedding night.

But now, I knew the truth. It was never about me not being enough. It was because his heart belonged to someone else.

…

I returned to the villa that Declan and I had shared for five years.

In all that time, I loved him with everything I had. My world revolved around him, even if we had to keep our relationship under wraps.

Yesterday should've been our fifth anniversary. Instead, he had celebrated another woman's birthday, complete with roses and champagne.

Hidden behind the crowd, I watched as Declan's friends raised their glasses to them.

"May you two live happily ever after!"

"Declan, don't forget to invite us to the wedding!"

The more I thought about it, the sharper the irony cut. We had been together for years, yet his friends didn't even know I existed.

But they all knew her.

I had seen a fireworks show scheduled on Declan's phone and assumed it was for our anniversary. So, I followed him quietly. I thought he was preparing a surprise for me, only to find out it was for someone else.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to a delivery guy holding a cake. "Ma'am, here's the cake your boyfriend ordered for you."

I took the box from him, opened it, and saw the message.

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart!"

My hands trembled the moment I saw it.

Declan had ordered the cake, and the handwriting was his. Every year on our anniversary, he'd always have a cake delivered, with a note written for me.

Once upon a time, that would've made me cry tears of joy. However, it now made me sick.

I set the cake down on the table and lifted the lid. The delicate design and pastel colors were supposed to be sweet, but all they did was make me queasy.

I dumped the cake in the trash. Then, I looked up at the chandelier. The lights flickered softly, as if they were mocking how foolish and pathetic I had been.

Before I knew it, tears slipped down my cheeks, falling onto the couch and disappearing without a trace.

At that moment, the door swung open.

Declan walked in and stopped short when he saw me curled up on the couch.

"Scarlett, why are you still awake?"