Chapter 8 Elsewhere , inside the Grand Bellevue - Westbridge Heights's most extravagant hotel - Declan Hawthorne's birthday gala was in full swing . As the heir to Hawthorne International and one of the most powerful men in the region , Declan's party was the event of the season . The ballroom buzzed with elite guests -- old - money heirs , socialites , CEOs - each one hoping to catch a moment with the man of the hour . But said man of the hour stood off to the side , drink untouched , his gaze unfocused . And his friends noticed . " Is it just me , or has Marissa not shown up yet ? " one of them asked , scanning the room . " There's no way she forgot , " another chimed in . " Marissa's never missed Declan's birthday . Not once . " " Exactly . And we're halfway through the party already . She's never this late . " They exchanged glances , silent agreement passing between them . Then all eyes turned to Declan . Still distracted . Still distant . Finally , Tristan couldn't hold it in . " Maybe you should give her a call ? " " No need , " Declan replied , shaking his head like it was no big deal . " She's probably just getting my gift ready . " The guys exchanged another look but let it go . Maybe he was right . Then came the gift - giving segment of the evening . Tristan and the others each presented their gifts , drawing laughter and polite applause . Then it was Celeste's turn . Despite their lingering distaste for her - after all , she'd once left Declan high and dry - they said nothing . Not tonight . She approached the stage with soft eyes and a demure smile , cradling a gift box wrapped in shimmering gold paper . " Declan , this is from me- " She didn't get to finish . Chapter 8 31.82 % Declan's phone buzzed . He glanced at the screen , and in an instant , his face turned pale . Without a word , he shoved past Celeste and bolted from the ballroom . Caught off guard , Celeste stumbled backward and crashed to the floor . A sharp cry escaped her as pain shot up her side and tears welled in her eyes . " Declan ! " she cried , reaching out instinctively . But he never even looked back . He was already gone . A stunned silence fell over the crowd . No one knew what had just happened . Tristan and the rest exchanged wide - eyed looks . Then someone whispered the obvious : " Wait … could something have happened to Marissa ? " Panic set in fast . The guys rushed after Declan , pushing through the ballroom doors and leaving Celeste behind - sitting on the floor , fists clenched and teeth gritted . Marissa . Always Marissa . But no one cared what Celeste thought . Declan tore through the night , racing across town and up the drive to the Hawthorne estate . Inside , the house was empty . Still , he didn't stop . He ran upstairs , flinging open doors , checking every room , every drawer , every closet . Gone . Not just Marissa - everything that belonged to her . Her scent , her books , her sketches , even the tiny mug she always used for chamomile tea . Gone . He stood frozen in the middle of her room , chest heaving , staring at the quiet emptiness . Then he looked down at his phone . A message sat on the screen . [ Declan , I'm leaving . Wishing you and Celeste a love that never fades . May you grow old together . ] Her name , her number - still there in his contacts . Chapter 8 31.82 % Like he'd just remembered something vital , he suddenly hit call . He didn't even realize how badly his hands were shaking . The dial tone rang . Again and again . But she didn't pick up . Just as the line clicked off , the doorbell rang . He didn't remember walking down the stairs . Didn't remember opening the door . But there stood Tristan and the others , breathing hard from the run . " Declan , " Tristan asked , concern all over his face , " what happened ? Did something happen to Marissa ? " Declan opened his mouth , but nothing came out . His throat burned . His chest ached . He swallowed hard , forcing down the weight in his voice . After a long pause , he finally rasped out- " Marissa said … she's gone . "