My Skin Needs Touch, Their Stomachs Turn novel Chapter 152

Chapter 7

It was already past midnight when Sloane returned to the estate.

On the coffee table sat a birthday cake with its candles blown out. Declan was on the couch with Vivienne,

opening presents together.

The moment he saw Sloane soaked to the bone, Declan froze mid-motion. “Sloane… I sent a car for you,

didn’t I?”

His brows furrowed as he jumped up, grabbing a towel, ready to dry her hair.

But her icy, unwavering gaze stayed fixed on him. Without a hint of hesitation, she raised her hand-

And slapped down hard. At that very moment, a figure suddenly rushed forward, shielding Declan.

Smack!

Vivienne cried out, clutching her face.

“Ah!” A red handprint spread quickly across her cheek as she collapsed weakly into Declan’s arms, tears brimming in her eyes, looking utterly fragile.

“Vivienne! Are you okay?”

Declan held her tightly, his fingers trembling as they brushed her face.

His fingertips grazed her swelling cheek-and his restraint snapped. He ripped the towel from his hand.

“Sloane, have you lost your damn mind?!”

The towel, whipped like a lash, struck her forehead. Her damp curls scattered. She nearly lost her balance.

“I was wrong about you, Declan.” she whispered through gritted teeth, holding back tears. Her voice was almost a bitter laugh.

“All that-for a damn ring? You sold me off like I was nothing. You disgust me.”

Declan flinched. For a second, something like guilt crossed his face.

But Vivienne reached out and blocked him, her voice choked with sobs. “Don’t blame Declan. If you’re mad, if you need someone to lash out on-then let it be me.”

What a touching little performance.

That last shred of guilt in Declan’s eyes shattered. He swept Vivienne into his arms. “It’s okay, baby. Let me

Chapter 7

71.56%

Lera

INSTALL

handle this.”

Then he turned to Sloane, gaze frigid. “Those photos-they’ll be auctioned in six months. No matter the cost,

I’ll buy every single one. One billion or ten billion-I don’t care. But Sloane, you never should’ve raised a hand

to Vivienne.”

Six months?

She wouldn’t even be alive by then.

Sloane let out a hollow, joyless laugh. As he started up the stairs, she heard his final command.

“If

you

don’t want to be detained for assault tonight, get out to the courtyard and get on your knees.”

The rain had picked up again, heavier now.

One after another, the estate’s private doctors arrived in their cars.

The headlights flared through the darkness, casting long shadows across the rain-soaked yard.

Sloane knelt there, her back straight, motionless-flanked by silent bodyguards.

Two hours later, two overlapping figures appeared on the balcony of the master bedroom, gazing down at

her.

“Oh no… poor Sloane.”

Vivienne cooed, her syrupy voice dripping with mock sympathy and smug delight. “Since I’ve got this nasty mark on my face, we’ll have to postpone the birthday party a few days. Maybe Sloane can join us next time- she hasn’t even seen that yacht you bought me yet.”

Declan’s voice came low and steady from the shadows. “Yeah. Whatever you want, love. I’m sorry I didn’t

protect you.”

That syrupy exchange pierced whatever was left of Sloane’s broken heart.

The Declan who once cared for her… he had died long ago.

She clenched her fists.

The yacht, huh?

Perfect. That would be the place where she ended this-for good.

The rain that night left her knees bruised and purple.

Chapter 7

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify