His After The Heartbreak (BL) Chapter 34: Countdown to when I leave

Chapter 34- Countdown to when I leave

Tyler's POV

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of the massive mansion, and I had to admit—even if only to myself—it was breathtaking.

The towering pillars, the pristine white walls, and the wide glass windows reflected the golden glow of the evening sun. It was the kind of house that scread wealth and power, the kind you only saw in magazines or movies.

Declan might be a pathetic excuse for a father, but at least he had good taste in architecture. Point to him.

"You see, Tyler," Declan's voice pulled out of my thoughts, smugness dripping from every word. "If only you agreed to stay with for a long ti, this is what you'd be enjoying. Luxury, comfort, anything you could ever want. You'd be part of the elite, one of the most respected kids in the city. You'd be—"

I scoffed, cutting him off. "And that's supposed to impress ?"

I turned to face him fully, irritation bubbling beneath my skin. "Just because I acknowledge that your mansion is beautiful doesn't an I want any part of it. I appreciate beauty when I see one, but that doesn't an I want to own it."

Declan sighed, as if I were so foolish child who didn't understand the value of wealth. "Tyler, all I want is for you to—"

"I'm not interested," I interrupted coldly, unbuckling my seatbelt and pushing the car door open. I stepped out, inhaling the crisp night air as if it could cleanse of his presence.

Behind , Declan stepped out of the car as well. "Tyler," he called, his tone softer this ti, almost pleading. "What do you want to do to earn your forgiveness? Just tell ."

I froze for a mont, then slowly turned back to face him, my expression unreadable. "The only person you need forgiveness from is my mother, not ," I said evenly. "So quit asking for mine when you haven't even apologized to the one person you truly wronged."

Declan's face tightened, but I didn't stop. "And just so you know—even if she forgives you, I never will. So don't think for a second that after you crawl back to her, say a few sorrys, and she forgives you out of fear or exhaustion, that everything will magically go back to the way it was. It won't."

His lips parted as if to argue, but I didn't give him the chance. "Get that fantasy out of your head, dear Dad." I turned around and started walking toward the entrance.

Declan sighed behind , but I ignored it.

I had no interest in playing house with him.

When I reached the massive front door, I paused and turned slightly, expecting him to show to my room. "Well? Are we going to stand out here all night, or are you actually going to tell where I'm supposed to sleep?"

Declan blinked, then quickly gestured toward the entrance. "Right. Let's go."

But before we could step inside, two black cars pulled up to the driveway.

I stiffened instantly.

I knew those cars.

The sa ones that had taken my mother away.

I turned on my heel, my heart thudding against my ribs as the doors opened and a few n stepped out.

They barely had ti to close the car doors before I was in front of them, arms crossed. "Well?" I demanded. "Is she safe?"

The n exchanged a glance before one of them—a tall guy with short, dark hair—spoke up. "We dropped her off at the furnished apartnt like you asked. She's safe. We made sure she had everything she needed, and we gave her strict instructions not to leave the apartnt for now."

I exhaled, so of the tension leaving my shoulders. "Good," I muttered.

But then I caught sothing—hesitation.

The man who spoke looked...guilty.

I narrowed my eyes. "Why do you look like that?"

The guy blinked. "Like what?"

"Like you did sothing wrong."

His mouth opened slightly, but no words ca out. Instead, he swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Declan for a brief second before looking back at .

"I—I didn't do anything," he stamred. "This is just... my face."

Liar.

He was nervous. His breathing was off. And now, looking closer, I noticed his hands were clenched into fists.

I took a slow step toward him. "Why are you stuttering? And why do you look scared?" My voice was dangerously low now. "Are you sure nothing happened to my mother?"

He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, I spun to Declan.

"Declan," I said, my voice rising slightly. "I swear, if sothing happened to her—"

"Stop overreacting, Tyler," Declan cut in, rubbing his temple. "She's fine."

I clenched my jaw.

"That's just Rupert's normal face," Declan continued. "He always looks like that when he's stressed. And he doesn't do well under pressure, which is why he stutters when questioned."

I didn't believe it.

Sothing was off.

"I hope you're telling the truth," I muttered.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out and saw my mother's na on the screen. A text.

My fingers moved quickly as I opened it.

"I'm okay, Tyler. I just wanted to send you a ssage so you don't worry. I'll call you soon, but I really need to rest. It's been a long ti since I had a day like this—without work, without stress. I want to make the most of it. So don't be mad if I don't call tonight. Probably tomorrow. I love you."

A long breath escaped , and I felt a weight lift off my chest.

She was okay for now.

I looked up at Declan and nodded stiffly. "Fine. Just show to my room. I'm exhausted."

Declan didn't argue. He simply turned and led the way inside.

The second we stepped through the door, a woman's voice rang out.

"Honeyyyyy!"

I froze.

A second later, a blonde woman practically threw herself at Declan, pressing her lips against his in a long, dramatic kiss.

I almost gagged.

They kissed like they were in so over-the-top romance movie, completely ignoring the fact that I was right there.

I shifted uncomfortably, waiting for the torture to end.

Finally—finally—they pulled away, and the woman turned to with a bright smile.

"This must be your handso son, Tyler! Wow, you look just like your father."

Gross.

"Hello, I'm Declan's fiancée, Naomi." She extended a hand toward .

I stared at it for a second before looking her in the eye.

"Can we skip the fake introductions?" I said bluntly. "Declan, just show my room."

Naomi's smile faltered slightly, clearly not expecting that response.

"And just a little advice," I added, eting her gaze. "Don't ever tell I look like Declan. And don't call him my father."

"And lastly, during my stay here, I do not want to receive any knocks of disturbance. Do well to respect my privacy and decision ."

Without waiting for a reply, I walked past them into the house, already counting down the days until I could leave.

This place might have been a mansion, but to ?

It was just another cage and I honestly cannot wait to get out of.