Declan grabbed two outfits at random and headed into the fitting room . Cordelia waited , coffee in hand , while two shopgirls whispered nearby . " Wait , isn't that the tycoon who's always on TV ? Mr. Beasley , right ? God , he's handsome ! " " I heard he's forty , but look at him . How does he stay in shape like that ? He must've been a total heartthrob back in the day . " " He still is ... " Cordelia's thoughts drifted to their school days . Declan had always been stiff and serious . But with his sharp features , striking eyes , and that cool , aloof vibe , girls practically threw themselves at him . She was still lost in thought when one of the shopgirls turned to her with a dreamy smile . " Mrs. Beasley , we're so jealous . You've got such an amazing husband . " Cordelia raised an eyebrow . " Is that so ? " Their admiring faces made something twist in her chest . To them , she must have seemed lucky - married to a handsome , rich man , three kids , a lively home . But only she knew the truth . Declan and she had grown apart , and the love was gone . This wasn't what she had want- ed . She set down her coffee . " If I had a choice , " she said quietly , " I'd rather be with someone kind and thoughtful . " Declan was overbearing , lecturing nonstop , and worst of all , he didn't love her . But Cordelia kept that to herself . Declan stepped out of the fitting room and heard every word . His eyes dropped . He blinked fast , as if trying to shake it off , but the weight didn't lift . His fists clenched and loosened , repeatedly . A shopgirl glanced his way , and he finally stepped forward . " This one looks nice . Let's just get it . " The moment Cordelia said it , she realized it wasn't the clothes at all . 0.0 % 09:34 Chapter 14 It was Declan . He made everything look good . 288 ¡ Vouchers At checkout , he asked casually , " You were checking the weather overseas earlier . Planning to ... leave the country ? " Cordelia froze for a second . That must have been from the previous life . To avoid suspicion , she went along with it . " Uh ... yeah . I was thinking about it . " She felt his mood drop right away . His jaw tightened , and his brows drew together . Even his fists clenched , like he was holding something back . " So it's true , " he muttered . " What ? " she asked . Declan didn't answer . He just handed over his card and paid . He couldn't lie to himself anymore . Cordelia was still hung up on Quentin and planning to leave him to find Quentin . On the way home , Declan stayed silent . Cordelia's gaze drifted to a jewelry shop window . A necklace with an aquamarine stone caught her eye . She'd always loved blue . The aquamarine shimmered like ocean water , and she couldn't stop thinking about it . But Declan was sulking , and she didn't feel like asking to stop . He went straight to the study when they got home . Cordelia , bored and restless , pulled Norma aside . She made it sound like small talk , but she was really trying to figure out just how far things had gone between Declan and Belinda . " Norma , don't you think it's weird ? There's nothing of Declan's in this house . " Norma gave her a strange look . " Has he been seeing someone ? Did he move out to live with her or something ? " Cordelia pressed on . Norma let out a breath . " Mrs. Beasley , two months ago , you two had a huge fight . You had all his stuff thrown out . " And you ... told him to leave . " 35.5 % 09:34 Chapter 14 Cordelia went still , her curiosity gone . " Wait ... I did that ? " She pointed at herself , stunned . Norma nodded firmly . Cordelia swallowed hard . No wonder Declan had looked so strange when she teased him earlier . " Mrs. Beasley , are you okay ? " Norma caught the shift in Cordelia's expression and froze , wondering if she'd said something wrong . " I ... I'm fine , " Cordelia said after a pause . Learning why Declan had moved out lifted her mood . Still , things felt awkward between them , and starting with the kids might give her an easy out . With this thought , Cordelia knocked on the study door . There was no answer . She pushed it open . A magazine lay open on the desk , the cover showing a gentle - looking man . The caption read , " Quentin Melton , Psychology PhD . " Curious , she picked it up for a closer look . Quentin was indeed attractive . 1288 Vouchers Her eyes lingered on the words " Psychology PhD " . Then it struck her that a psychologist might be able to help Con- rad . Just then , Declan walked in and saw her staring at the photo like she was lost in it . His face hardened , jealousy flickering across it . She turned at the sound of the door and saw him . " You went out ? " He grunted in reply , Her eyes dropped to the small blue velvet box in his hand . " What's that ? " Declan waited until she set the magazine down , then stepped forward and held it out . " It's for you . " Her eyebrows shot up in surprise . He wasn't the type to give gifts for no reason . 69.5 %