會 288 ¡ Vouchers 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 . " 0.0 % 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 . 1 288 ¡ Vouchers 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 . 32.1 % 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 ? " 68.7 %