Chapter 9 Chapter 9 On the way there, it started to rain. His car screeched to a halt outside the ornate iron gates. Declan jumped out and ran straight into the downpour, reaching the gate in seconds. Rain instantly soaked him through, his expensive suit clinging to his body as he looked completely pathetic. He pounded the cold metal bars with both fists: "Grace! Mr. Whitmore! Mrs. Whitmore! Open up! Please give Montgomery a lifeline!" But only the sound of rain hitting leaves answered him. Time crawled by in the freezing downpour. One hour, two hours... the sky shifted from gray to pitch black. Downstairs, Declan knelt in the storm like a drowning stone statue, screaming my name. Grace! Open the door! I know I fucked up! Please... give Montgomery a chance! Grace! Please just see me!" set down my coffee, feeling absolutely nothing. 'inally, I grabbed an umbrella and walked alone toward those locked gates. Vhen Butler tried to follow, I waved him off. ome things needed to be ended by me personally. lick. he heavy iron gate slowly opened. hrough the rain, Declan's head shot up, his face exploding with desperate joy: "Grace! You'll see me!" le struggled to stand but stumbled pathetically. ike he was showing off a prize, he quickly held up that soaked wooden box, the rain-darkened carvings visible inside: "Look! I rought them all! Grace, for the sake of these years, for the sake of these little things... give me one more chance! I..." Declan." My voice was ice-cold. "Put away the cheap theatrics." His joy froze instantly. Your pathetic regret is worth less than dirt." I stared at him with complete indifference-no hate, just absolute emptiness. "Take your hit and get out of my sight. The Whitmore family is DONE with you." NO! Grace! You can't be this heartless!" He was still struggling. "I really know I screwed up! I love you! Only YOU! That was all just..." 'Love?" I cut him off with the faintest, coldest smile. Your love means carving little toys to butter me up while filming sex videos with her for your spank bank?" 16:22 Dear Hubby Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Reg Instead of Dumn 13.79 Chapter 9 Your love means getting her pregnant and letting her ambush my wedding?" I paused, each word crystal clear: "Declan, your love makes me sick." Declan looked like his soul had been ripped out, his face completely lifeless. Even his eyes went dead gray. His massive frame swayed, looking utterly broken. Suddenly, a shriek pierced the rainy night: "GRACE WHITMORE!" Scarlett! She jumped out of a taxi like a deranged ghost, charging at me with pure malice. "You destroyed me! You won't let me live! Then we'll DIE TOGETHER!" She yanked a gleaming knife from her purse. The blade reflected cold light in the rain as she aimed it straight at my heart with suicidal determination! Too fast! Butler's shout was lost in the rain. ust as that blade was about to pierce me, a figure threw himself sideways with everything he had, slamming Scarlett away! THUNK-! The sickening sound of steel entering flesh was crystal clear. t was Declan! And that knife was buried deep in his side. Time seemed frozen. Declan's body went rigid as he stared down at the handle protruding from his body, then slowly looked up. Agony twisted his features, but he gripped Scarlett's wrist to stop her from pulling the knife out. His eyes found mine with difficulty, filled with acceptance and guilt. Declan used his last bit of strength: "I'm... sorry... Grace... I really... know I was wrong..." This is what I... owed you..." Before he finished speaking, his massive frame collapsed. He hit the cold pavement hard, blood spreading rapidly beneath him. "AHHHHH!!!" Scarlett stared at her bloody hands and Declan's fallen body, letting out a complete breakdown scream. 16.22 Dear Hubby. Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Bea Instead of Burn 14.09 Chapter 9 Police sirens and ambulance wails quickly approached. Scarlett got seven years for assault with intent to harm. She lost the baby. The disabled model who'd craved sunlight destroyed herself with her own hands. Declan survived, barely, but his body was wrecked. Montgomery went bankrupt. The family scattered. Declan disappeared with his injuries. One early autumn evening by the ocean, I opened that wooden box and gently placed all 52 rain-soaked carvings inside the fireplace flames, box and all. Crackling softly, they curled, blackened, and turned to ash, carried away by the salt-tinged ocean breeze. I watched quietly, my heart completely at peace. Turning away, sunset danced on the sparkling waves like scattered gold. My new life-Grace Whitmore's fresh start-stretched out like this endless blue expanse: calm, free, and clear of all shadows. 16:22