"This is so... fucked up."
Celina glanced at Declan once she heard those words rolling out of his mouth. Arching her brows, she tilted her head, assessing her lover’s countenance.
His already tense expression worsened after reading the new ssage he received just now. Staring at the phone screen, his sapphire eyes darkened.
Whatever Declan received, it was most likely sothing upsetting.
Declan and Celina had just arrived from the reception hall. He did so damage control while interacting with the guests, who were still heading to the hall for the food.
Only half of the hall was filled by the guests. The others returned to the hotel, so even preparing to leave the island already. Not many were willing to be caught in the middle of the drama.
Celina was by Declan’s side as he apologized to the guests for the unsavory experience. Aside from him, a few of the Elsher family relatives also did the sa.
Jonathan was also there. He mostly interacted with the most distinguished guests. They were among his close friends and business partners.
"It’s so rare to hear you cursing," Celina pointed out, "What did you get? The ssage, I an."
Declan exhaled a sigh, evidently troubled by the unfolding chaos caused by Matthias during the ceremony. He didn’t bla the man for canceling the marriage but...
Matthias’ vengeful way of ousting Stephanie in public created more trouble for their side.
"I got a ssage from Matthias," Declan lowered his voice despite not having people around them. His gaze shifted from his phone to Celina, "He sent more evidence and... they’re so disturbing."
Matthias sent Declan a link to a cloud file. He compiled the more explicit photos and videos there. All of them showed the tistamp.
Declan hadn’t looked at them properly because he just received the link. He only skimd through the photos so far yet, every sight of the picture twisted his gut.
Never once did Declan think that Stephanie was having an affair with Leon behind everyone’s back.
Really... What happened as of late seed to open his eyes wider about Stephanie, Declan thought with a heavy heart.
"He sent you those?" Celina gasped in surprise, unable to foresee what else Matthias sent to Declan, "What will you do now? Oh, going to check on Phanie first?"
Rafael escorted Stephanie and Samantha when the driver ca to pick the ladies up earlier. He had been at the villa since then.
Rafael notified Declan that Stephanie imdiately locked herself in her room, not willing to speak to anyone, including Samantha.
"Check on Phanie first," Declan pinched the space between his brows, seemingly exhausted, "I really can’t believe this."
Celina quickly agreed. Leaning closer to Declan, she gave her man a side hug, hoping to reassure him that all this would eventually pass.
A faint smile curved on Declan’s lips as he returned Celina’s hug. He whispered, his voice having a hint of warmth, "Thank you, Cee. I’ll make it up to you once we return ho."
Declan felt bad because Celina was inadvertently caught in his family drama. He also still rembered all her advice from before, including the one about Stephanie’s retaliation against Lariette.
A chuckle slipped out Celina’s lips, amused by her lover’s words. Patting Declan’s back, she replied, "It’s nothing to worry about. Let’s go and check on Phanie."
"Yeah."
Declan and Celina headed to the second floor of the villa. They bumped into a few helpers along the way, all looking concerned about sothing.
It was obvious that they caught on to the heavy atmosphere polluting the initially rry ambiance. Everything felt peaceful and blissful since yesterday because of the wedding.
No one expected the ceremony would be tainted by the bride’s scandal.
"Mom, Ray."
Declan called Samantha and Rafael once he and Celina spotted them outside Stephanie’s room. Both of them appeared more haggard than before, seemingly having difficulty dealing with Stephanie.
It was obvious that Samantha and Rafael tried not to rile Stephanie up further by forcing themselves into her room.
"Declan..." Samantha turned to her eldest son, seeing Declan approaching her and Rafael with a deep frown on his forehead, "How was... everything?"
Samantha’s voice had a slight tremor, indicating her troubled feelings. Her sapphire eyes were reddened by her previous crying. Dried tears still left marks on her face.
Declan refrained from sighing. Placing his arm across Samantha’s back, he tried to soothe his mother’s feelings. Her eyes brimd with hope as she stared at him, waiting for the answer.
"Everything’s under control so far. Dad’s still there," was what Declan said before he quickly added with a heavy heart, "But... the worst hasn’t co."
"T-the worst?" Samantha gasped, her eyes widening in horror, "How can it get worse than this? Our Phanie is already suffering so much!"
Declan pursed his lips, knowing full well that Samantha was still in denial over Stephanie’s infidelity allegation. Perhaps, his mother would say Matthias fabricated all the more damning evidence he received just now.
For now, Declan decided to keep the proof from Samantha’s knowledge. His mother was still fully agitated by what happened in the glass hall—starting from Matthias’ declaration of Stephanie’s affair with Leon.
"Mom, go and get so rest for now," Declan placed both hands on Samantha’s shoulders, his tone unyielding, "Phanie is still inside, right? Let try talking to her."
Declan barely heard any cries from Stephanie’s room. The soundproofing was quite decent. There was also a short hallway separating the door from the actual bedroom.
"Phanie doesn’t want to do anything, not even eat," Samantha choked on her sob, her heart aching thinking of her beloved daughter’s fate, "W-what if... she tried to harm herself?"
Samantha had never seen Stephanie so broken like today. Her precious daughter was pampered as if she was a fragile glass doll. She couldn’t imagine what Stephanie felt right now.
"Mom, Dec is right," Rafael stepped closer, his voice slightly hoarser, "You better get so rest. We all can’t think properly now. I’ll bring you to your room."
"B-but..."
"Follow Ray, Mom," Declan cut Samantha off, "Leave Phanie to ."
Shooting Rafael a grateful look, Declan nodded. The forr grasped Samantha’s shoulders, leading her away from Stephanie’s bedroom. She tried to resist but quickly surrendered out of exhaustion.
Declan and Celina watched Samantha and Rafael leaving. Their figures disappeared at an intersection, heading to Samantha’s bedroom.
"Dec, are you going inside?" asked Caline quietly. Her eyes darted from her lover to Stephanie’s bedroom.
"Seems like it," Declan shrugged, a heavy sigh being expelled from his mouth, "I’ll try to call Phanie. If she didn’t answer, I’ll just force myself inside."
Stephanie didn’t open her door when Samantha and Rafael knocked on it repeatedly earlier. Declan wouldn’t waste his energy doing the sa thing.
Celina nodded, her face grim. She kept her mouth shut when Declan tapped on his phone, dialing Stephanie’s numbers.
But...
The line was engaged, stopping Declan’s call to go through.
Frowning, Declan muttered, "Phanie’s on the phone with soone."
"Maybe with Matthias."
Celina made a guess to which Declan nodded. Their eyes drifted to the door, sensing sothing more foreboding in the air.
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