Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions , Cordelia let out a long sigh . Seeing Declan about to leave , she called out abruptly , " Where do you think you're going ? " Come with me upstairs . " The servant arranging the tea set overheard her and glanced up , slightly surprised . Then she quickly bowed her head , not daring to stare any longer . As Cordelia firmly pulled Declan toward the stairs , Conrad , who had been immersed in his book , looked up and watched their retreating figures . His eyes held a trace of confusion . Cordelia and Declan had had a terrible fight . After that , she had forbidden him from going upstairs , and they had lived separately ever since . She'd even packed up all his belongings from the villa and thrown them out . What was going on ? Cordelia dragged Declan all the way into the upstairs bedroom . The spacious room still held their wedding photo hanging on the wall opposite the bed . But the ironic part was , she hadn't kept it as a token of love . It was there to remind herself how foolish she had been to ever marry him . Cordelia noticed Declan's gaze lingering on the photo , but she didn't dwell on it . After the search for Darrell , she was tired and sank wearily onto the foot of the bed . " It's getting dark , Where are you going ? We found Darry and Raddy , but that's not the end of it . There's still so much to deal with . " Skipping classes at such a young age ? How infuriating ! I'm just glad Elty is well - behaved . " Declan cut in , his tone slightly helpless , " Elty skips class too . And he's got even bigger problems . " Cordelia opened her mouth , but no words came out . All she felt was a headache coming on . After a long silence , she finally spoke , " Since all three of our children are struggling , that makes it even more impor- tant for us to guide them properly . I know you're busy with work , but we can't neglect their upbringing . " They'll inherit everything you've built . Are you really willing to watch them destroy the empire you've spent your 0.0 % 09:31 Chapter 3 entire life striving for ? " You and I may have our differences , but these are our children . We can't just give up on them , can we ? " 1288 Vouchers She spoke earnestly , her eyes fixed on him as she laid out her heartfelt thoughts . Yet to her disappointment , his ex- pression remained icy , utterly unreadable . Though she had only spent a few hours in his company , it was clear there were deep - rooted issues between them . She knew hoping to salvage their broken relationship might be naive , but they couldn't simply stand by while their children lost their way . " Say something ! " she urged . Declan watched as Cordelia's lips moved tirelessly . She had never said something like this before . Could amnesia really change a person this much ? Whatever the outcome might be , he decided then - he would take that gamble . He nodded . " Alright . We'll work together to discipline our children . " " Good . At least we share the same goal now . Handshake ? " She extended her hand , a satisfied smile playing on her lips . After a brief hesitation , Declan took it . Her skin was soft and smooth , and though she was no longer in her twenties , she remained as striking and beautiful as ever . He released her hand and turned to leave . But just then , her voice stopped him again . " Why are you always in such a hurry to go ? Who's out there that attracts you so much ? " Helpless , he halted in his tracks . She went on , " Darry says he likes video games and smoking ? Fine . We'll let him play and smoke as much as he wants . " You have games and cigarettes , don't you ? " Declan nodded . " Bring some to Darry . And lock him in his room . He's not to come out no matter what . Also , call his teacher for leave . " Cordelia was dead serious about disciplining their children . And it began that very night . After Darrell had run back to his room , he expected Cordelia to come deal with him . To his surprise , it was Declan - always stern and cold - who entered . 23.4 % 09:31 Chapter 3 Without a word , Declan placed several video games and packs of cigarettes on the desk . 288 iVouchers " I've requested a week's leave for you . Stay home . Play and smoke as much as you want . No one will say a word . If you run out , come to me , and I'll give you more . " Darrell was a bit intimidated by Declan's cold , serious expression . Then he remembered - it was because of Declan's failings that Cordelia had asked for a divorce . Emboldened by the thought , he pushed his chest out again in defiance . " Why should I do what you say ? That'll just make me look weak , " he shot back . " Do as you wish , " Declan replied coolly . Then he walked out and locked the door from the outside . He even posted someone beneath Darrell's window to keep watch . At first , Darrell showed no interest in the games Declan had brought over . But after a nap , boredom got the better of him , and he decided to flip through the titles . To his surprise , they were all the hottest games everyone was playing right now . His mood lifted instantly , and he soon became absorbed , playing with growing excitement . Time flew by unnoticed . When he finally felt hungry and decided to head downstairs for something to eat , he realized his door was locked . He started to kick the door violently , and the maid reported it to Cordelia at once . Cordelia was meticulously applying skincare in front of her mirror . Time was so cruel - she'd just discovered a tiny wrinkle at the corner of her eye . Panicked , she nearly felt the urge to slather on the entire jar of eye cream . " He's hungry ? Then bring some food to his room , " she replied calmly . As the maid nodded and left , Cordelia stood up and glanced at the clock . It was already 11:00 p.m. Where was De- clan ? He was cutting into her precious beauty sleep . In her pajamas , she went to the study . After a few symbolic knocks on the door , she immediately pressed down on the door handle and entered . Declan had already moved out of the villa . Though a few of his personal items remained in the study , no company documents were in sight . When Cordelia entered , he was sitting motionless before the computer , the room thick with cigarette smoke . It was so choking that she instinctively took a step back . " What are you still doing here ? It's so late . And stop smoking ! " You're just as much of a handful as our children . Turn off the computer and come to bed . Now . " The usual coldness on Declan's face softened almost imperceptibly , a trace of something warmer flickering in his 45.7 % 09:31 Chapter 3 eyes . Without a word , he shut down the computer and followed her to the bedroom . When they had decorated the bedroom , they'd specifically asked for two large walk - in closets . After Declan moved out , Cordelia had shifted some of her belongings into his closet . He hadn't left much behind - just a few items occupying a small corner . She had noticed them earlier while washing up and had wondered if he was having an affair . But right now , marital troubles felt far less urgent than dealing with their children . " Take a proper shower . I'm going to sleep first , " she urged . With that , she climbed into bed and wrapped herself tightly in the large blanket . However , after tossing and turning , she found herself unable to sleep . 1288 ¡ Vouchers Her mind wandered back to the days when she and Declan were just teenagers . Back then , he had been so handsome and clever . Their families had been friends for generations , and they had gotten along quite well at first . But he was so rigid and boring . And he loved lecturing and tattling . Because of him , the homeroom teacher had rapped her hands with a ruler more than once . Even her own father seemed to prefer him ... Just as she was lost in thought , the bathroom door opened . In the darkness , Declan walked out with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist . His skin still glistening with moisture , dark hair clinging to his scalp . She was grateful for the darkness , which hid his bare chest . Even though they had three children together , this version of her had no memory of ever being intimate with him . Hurriedly , she buried her head under the blanket and pretended to be asleep . Declan saw all her movements , no matter how slight they were , It had been so long since they last shared a bed , it felt like another lifetime . He towel - dried his hair , lifted the edge of the blanket quietly , and slipped beneath it . The mattress dipped under his weight . Cordelia lay stiffly , doing her best impression of a corpse . But her old sleeping habit took over - she had hogged most of the blanket underneath her . There wasn't much left for Declan . With a soft tug , he pulled both her and the blanket into his arms . 74.7 %