#### Chapter 7 After that day , Marissa barely left her room . Until dinner that evening - when Celeste suddenly clutched her stomach and collapsed pale - faced into Declan's arms . " What's wrong ? " Declan panicked , instantly calling for family doctor . After the exam , the doctor's face darkened . " She's been poisoned . " The entire estate erupted into chaos . The housekeepers stood trembling in the corner , and the butler had already begun interrogating the kitchen staff about dinner prep . " I … I saw Miss Wynn add something to the soup … " one of the younger maids stammered . Declan's expression iced over . He stormed over and grabbed Marissa's wrist , the pressure so fierce it felt like her bones might snap . " You tried to kill her over a brooch ? Marissa , what the hell have you become ? " Marissa looked up at him , her voice barely a whisper . " I didn't . " " Still lying ? " Declan's tone turned razor - sharp . He turned toward the staff . " Bring the leftover soup . " Marissa's pupils contracted . " What are you doing ? " " Teaching you a lesson , " Declan growled . He grabbed her jaw , forcing her to look at him . " So you'll finally learn what lines not to cross . ' Chapter 6 27.27 % The housekeeper brought the remaining soup , and at Declan's signal , two bodyguards pinned her down and forced it down her throat . She choked , coughing violently , but they didn't stop . The effects hit fast . Marissa doubled over on the floor , her entire back soaked in cold sweat as the pain tore through her . She curled up , fingers digging into her palms , still whispering hoarsely through the didn't poison her … " agony , " I Declan didn't even glance at her . He stayed at Celeste's bedside the whole time - gently helping her drink water , wiping her sweat with a damp cloth , his gaze soft enough to melt . " Declan … " Celeste's voice trembled as she weakly clutched his hand . " Marissa … she- " " She's not your concern right now , " he said gently . " Just rest . " Marissa's vision blurred as the pain took over , and the last thing she remembered before blacking out was being thrown into the back of an ambulance . She spent the entire night in the hospital . Not a single person came to check on her . When she returned to the estate the next morning , the place was silent and empty . Her phone buzzed . A photo from Celeste . Under a cloudless blue sky , Declan had his arm around Celeste's waist , both of them smiling radiantly at the camera . Caption : " He said I needed a break after the scare - so he brought me to the coast to relax- " So they went to the beach after Marissa was taken to the hospital . Marissa locked her screen in silence and began packing her suitcase . As she zipped it shut , it suddenly struck her - after living in this place for three years , everything she owned fit into a single 24 - inch suitcase . She'd never truly belonged here . Chapter 6 27.27 % Just like she'd never truly belonged in his heart . " Have you learned your lesson ? " Declan's voice rang out behind her . She turned to see him standing at the doorway , suited up as always , his brow faintly furrowed , gaze scanning her like a judge issuing a verdict . " I have , " she answered softly . I was wrong to love you . Wrong to waste all these years holding on . His expression eased slightly . " Good . Get changed . We're going to the party . " " Party ? " she echoed , momentarily stunned . " You forgot today's my birthday ? " His frown deepened , like her forgetting was some unforgivable offense . And suddenly , she remembered . Of course today was his birthday . - In the past , she would've had the cake baked , the gift wrapped , the decorations arranged down to the tiniest detail . She always remembered his favorite flavors , the color themes he hated , every wish he'd ever made each year . But this year … she'd forgotten . " You go ahead , " she said quietly . " I'll get changed and bring your gift . " " Declan ! " Celeste's voice floated up from downstairs , light and sweet . " Everyone's waiting for you ! " Declan nodded , glanced at Marissa one last time . " Hurry up . " Then he turned and walked away , his footsteps fading down the hall . Marissa stayed still , watching his figure disappear . Chapter 6