Chapter 2

Faith, who was standing beside me, was visibly fuming. Her eyes turned bloodshot with rage.

I caught her and held her back, though.

Thus, with the launching ceremony over, a banquet was held on board for everyone to drink and celebrate.

Those bystanders gathered around to watch the spectacle. "It seems like another couple is about to get married! That wedding boat is magnificent!"

It was then that someone called out from the crowd. "Congratulations!"

Paige stood at the bow, shaking Declan's arm back and forth in an adorable manner. "I have another birthday wish, Declan."

She spoke loud enough to make everyone turn their heads. "I want you to be my seven-day boyfriend!"

In that instant, the crowd went wild. "Do it! Do it!"

Declan chuckled softly, ruffled her hair, and said without the slightest hesitation, "I'll do it for seven days, then!"

Declan didn't even spare me a single glance throughout the entire time. Paige, on the other hand, shot me a subtle glance. Her smile widened.

Those friends of his, who knew the truth, kept glancing my way. Their expressions were a mix of sympathy, amusement at the drama, and pity.

It seemed like I, the ex-girlfriend, should no longer remain there.

Declan called out to me just as I started to walk away. "You're leaving already, Raelynn?"

"I'm leaving since it doesn't seem right to have the ex-girlfriend stick around."

Declan immediately furrowed his brow and said, "You ought to stop being so ridiculous, Raelynn. I'm just granting her a harmless birthday wish. You should go ahead and grab a cab home first—I have to drop Paige off at home later. I'll pick up some crab croquette buns for you tonight, Raelynn."

Having said that, Declan took the car keys out of my handbag and returned to join the celebration.

I stared at his retreating figure. My eyes slowly turned red with unshed tears.

I received a message from Paige when I returned home. In the video, Paige's face looked flushed as the crowd nudged her directly into Declan's embrace.

It was then that someone teased in the background, "You should marry Paige instead, Declan! Raelynn isn't even in the same league as our mighty Ms. Cullen!"

Paige said with a smile, "You've had too much to drink."

Declan merely looked on with a faint smile on his face. He did not attempt to deny it.

Raelynn sent another message shortly after. "Why did you leave early, Raelynn? I sent you the video so you could celebrate with us, too!"

Oddly enough, I felt completely unmoved when I saw the message and video. I simply found myself staring blankly at the boat on the screen.

Declan used to tell me over and over that this was a major life milestone for a young woman from a canal town, and absolutely no aspect of it could be compromised.

He told me that the deck had to be made of mahogany wood, the railings on both sides of the boat had to be wrapped in my favorite magnolias, and the curtains used on the boat had to be designed by me personally.

I still felt a faint sense of regret, since I had been looking forward to it for so long, but it wasn't for the person—it was for the boat.

Declan came back very late, walking through the door empty-handed. He paused momentarily when he spotted me, then walked over to hug me just as he always did. A strong scent of perfume washed over me.

I hadn't worn perfume in five years, since he used to frown and say it made him nauseous. It was only then that I realized that his disgust depended entirely on who was wearing it.

Declan looked at me. His voice was as gentle as always as he said, "It seems like the party ran a bit late. Why are you still awake? You were actually waiting for me to return home, Raelynn?"

I chose not to answer his question. Instead, I asked, "Where are the crab croquette buns you promised to buy me, Declan?"

He didn't look my way as he grabbed the glass of water beside him and took a sip. "Paige said she wanted to try them when I dropped her off at home, so I gave them to her. Didn't you say you wanted to lose weight for the marriage registration photos? You can just have them another day, Raelynn."

That marked the third time he had done this, despite knowing for two weeks how much I wanted them. He had offered to get them and had actually bought them three times.

Paige called Declan away mid-trip to look at real estate for the first time. For the second time, Paige's colleagues made her feel left out, so Declan went to have dinner with her. Thus, today was the third time Declan had broken his promise.

I swallowed the bitterness rising inside me and let out a sigh. "Why don't we just break up, Declan?"