She'd already rehearsed a dozen sarcastic remarks for the car ride if he'd been stupid enough to agree . After rubbernecking for a while , she had finally regained strength in her feet and was about to walk to the car on her own . Just then , Declan took off his suit jacket and scooped her up into his arms . Startled , she gasped . " Hey ! What are you doing ? " He looked at her , his expression utterly serious . " Your foot was asleep , right ? " " Yeah ... " " Then stay put . Unless you want to fall and end up with a fracture . " She closed her mouth obediently . Meanwhile , Darrell , who was standing to the side , gaped at them . His handsome face was filled with utter disbelief . During the years when Cordelia and Declan had fought the most , their only physical contact had been her slapping him . He couldn't help but admit - Marvin was right . Live long enough , and one would see everything . Before getting into the car , he quickly took out his phone and snapped a photo of the two of them . Belinda was equally shocked . Her eyes widened as she watched the scene unfold . The smile on her face was replaced by embarrassment the moment no one was looking at her . She stared as the Rolls - Royce Cullinan vanished from sight . Just days ago , she had managed to get it out of Darrell that Cordelia and Declan were finalizing their divorce next week . What the hell just happened ?! In the Cullinan , Cordelia leaned against the door , feeling her heart hammering against her ribs . It was astonishing . A man as rigid as Declan had actually carried her to the car in front of so many people ? 0.0 % 09:33 Chapter 9 The moment he scooped her up , her mind went completely blank . Maybe ... he had been enlightened by his intimate experience with Belinda , which finally made him softer . At such a thought , she felt a bit disgusted . She immediately shook her head , trying to dislodge the absurd and untimely thought . Just then , a furious curse erupted from the back seat . " Fuck ! They lost again ? " 288 iVouchers Darrell's curse snapped Cordelia back to reality . Then , Jordan's words echoed in her mind again- " Everyone at school knows this pathetic fuck doesn't have a mother . " Her initial fury gradually subsided , replaced by a heavy, sinking feeling . Exactly what kind of failure of a mother must she be for her son's peer to say that ? " Could it be , " she muttered , more to herself than anyone , " that I've never acted like a proper mother before ? " Hearing this , Darrell sneered , " Have you ever ? " The sharpness of his retort left her speechless . She was plunged into even deeper confusion . She didn't believe she was a terrible person . At the very least , she would never outright turn a blind eye to her chil- dren . There had to be some sort of misunderstanding . But from Declan and Darrell's attitude , she could piece together a general picture . The misunderstanding must be pro- found , and a few simple words wouldn't be enough to mend it . With this , she made her stance clear at once . " Darrell , forget the mother I was before . " From now on , I promise - I'll be a good mother who guides you properly . " Declan , who was driving , shot her a strange glance . He could hardly believe his ears . Had she actually just said that ? Meanwhile , Darrell let out a cold , dismissive laugh . He didn't take her promise seriously in the slightest . She had been absent for fifteen years , and a few words now couldn't possibly change his attitude . Back at home , he retreated to his room and collapsed onto his bed . No matter what , not having to go to school for now was great news for him . He didn't want to go anyway . 33.5 % 09:33 Chapter 9 288 iVouchers This suspension was exactly what he wanted . After a satisfying nap , he woke up and fumbled for his phone next to the pillow , ready to call Marvin and hit the streets . Just then , he keenly noticed something that wasn't supposed to be in his room . He immediately shot up in bed . It wasn't something . It was ten completely bald men , all clad in identical black suits . Greatly startled , he shouted , his eyelids twitching violently , " What the fuck ! Who the fuck are you ? " The ten men grinned in unison , their teeth gleaming unnervingly under the light . " Greetings , Mr. Darrell . We are your personal bodyguards . " Downstairs , Cordelia was enjoying her chicken soup . Upstairs , Darrell wailed miserably . His cries penetrated the floor , strong and clear . Elton , who was crouching beside Cordelia , was so scared that the painting in his hand clattered to the floor . He wrapped his arms tightly around her thigh , his wide eyes filled with terror . Conrad , sitting in the opposite corner of the sofa , slowly lowered his book . His gaze turned toward the ceiling , his eyes distant and glazed over . Cordelia quickly put down her spoon and soothed them with a gentle , unnerving smile . 75.2 %