Chapter 18 Meanwhile , Marissa had no idea what was coming . The decision to hold the wedding in the States came from Adrian's father . Though he'd lived abroad for years , most of Adrian's extended family , including his grandparents , still resided in the U.S. They hadn't seen him in years , and hosting the ceremony in Westbridge Heights , where they were based , felt like the natural choice for a family reunion . Planning a wedding on short notice was chaos . Vendors , fittings , invites , venues - it was all moving at lightning speed . Marissa barely had time to catch her breath . She was constantly running from one thing to the next , completely swamped . In the madness , she hadn't given Declan a single thought . But just because she had forgotten him … didn't mean he had forgotten her . So when she found herself cornered by him outside the restroom - again - Marissa could only feel exasperated . All it had taken was one solo outing without Adrian , and Declan had found his opening . Clearly , from now on , any time she had to go out in Westbridge Heights , she needed someone with her . She took a breath and asked flatly , " What do you want ? " Declan didn't answer right away . He just stared at her like she was something rare and precious he'd finally gotten back . That look - so open , so intense - made her frown instinctively . She opened her mouth to speak again , but he suddenly reached up - and the world went black . When she came to , Marissa found herself lying in a room that looked … painfully familiar . Still groggy , she sat up and instinctively reached for her phone . Nothing . Before she could process the growing unease in her chest , there was a knock on the door . She didn't respond , but whoever it was didn't wait for permission . The door opened on its own . And there he was . Declan . Of course . " Marissa , " he said gently , " you should eat something . " Chapter 18 77.27 % R ReelShort D In a divided village , a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend . 4.6 FREE Google Play INSTALL He stepped in with a tray of food , setting it down on the table beside the bed with infuriating calm . " Figured you'd be awake by now . It's been hours since you last ate . " She stared at him for a few seconds . Honestly , she was surprised he'd even bothered to bring food himself . But her stomach was already protesting , and she was too tired to fight . Without saying a word , she took the utensils and started eating . Declan looked stunned for a moment , clearly not expecting her cooperation . Then he laughed softly , pleased . " You're adjusting quickly , " he said with a smile . " Guess it was worth the trouble collecting all your old things and redecorating the room just the way you used to like it . " Her hand paused mid - bite . She glanced around - and sure enough , the décor , the layout , even the scent of the room … it was a near - perfect replica of her old bedroom from three years ago . A chill ran down her spine . Her voice was quiet but firm . " Why ? " Why kidnap her , bring her here , and rebuild something from a life she'd already left behind ? Declan didn't move from where he sat , keeping just enough distance to seem nonthreatening . He hesitated for a moment , then pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket - the one he never went anywhere without . " Because I love you , Marissa , " he said , voice low and steady . " And I can't let you go . I just … can't . " He opened the box and slid the ring toward her . " You were the only one who stood by me when I had nothing . When I was at my worst , you never gave up on me . I was too stupid to see what that meant , but when you left … that's when I realized I couldn't breathe without you . " " So please , Marissa - don't marry him . " " Don't leave me . Don't walk away from what we had . " Chapter 18 77.27 % ReelShort R 4.6 FREE In a divided village , a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend . Google Play INSTALL For once , his voice wasn't cool or commanding . It was raw . Fragile . She couldn't remember ever seeing Declan look so uncertain . But instead of being moved , Marissa only frowned faintly . Love ? This was what he called love ? In her mind , love wasn't something that showed up late to the party . It wasn't something you realized only after losing everything . Real love - true love - never needed a second chance to prove itself . Because even if you didn't recognize it at the time , your heart always would .