Chapter 70: Seventy

For two days, I let myself forget the rest of the world.

The blinds stayed drawn, my phone on silent except for the occasional buzz that rattled against my nightstand. I ignored every call, every email, every reminder about missed lectures. My textbooks sat untouched on the desk, a reminder of everything I was supposed to be doing.

Its not like any of it mattered. I was going to lose it all anyway.

Jacob had texted me a few times.

Hey, you okay? You weren’t in class.

And I’d lied in response, yeah, just sick, nothing serious.

It was easier than the truth.

I wasn’t sure what the truth even was anymore.

I slept too much and still felt exhausted. The little time I spent awake was a haze of scrolling through social media without really seeing anything, of staring at the ceiling until the light in the room dimmed from afternoon to evening.

On the second night, Cassie called from her new boyfriend’s place. “Do you want me to come back? You sound… off.”

“No,” I’d said quickly. “I just need to rest.”

I hung up and immediately felt guilty. I didn’t want her to see me like this.

The knock came early the next morning. Sharp, insistent. I groaned, hoping whoever it was would give up. The knocking came again.

Dragging myself to the door, I cracked it open.

Declan.

He took one look at me; still in an oversized sweatshirt with hollowed-out eyes, and his expression tightened. “You are sick,” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Seeing him made a strange feeling run through me. He had come straight from work, he was still in his work clothes and had his laptop bag with him. He had a book in his hand that I knew he was reading for his new research.

Because of me, he could lose it all in the blink of an eye.

All the work he had put in, all the sleepless nights. The fighting with his parents, his endless years of research. All gone to waste, for a stupid girl like me.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the door. “I’m fine,” I muttered.

He frowned, pushing the door wider and stepping in before I could stop him. “You don’t look fine.” His eyes darted to the mess of empty mugs and tissues scattered across the coffee table. “What’s going on, Willow? Talk to me.”

“I told you, I’m fine.” I turned away, not wanting him to see the redness around my eyes.

He followed me into the living room. “No, you’re not.” He took a step closer, his voice tightening. “What happened, dove?”

“Nothing happened!” I snapped, my voice cracking.

Declan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out when I can clearly see you’re hurting. I can’t help if you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”

I sank onto the couch, my hands trembling. “I just… I can’t. Please, Declan, let it go.”

He crouched in front of me, gripping my knees gently. “No. I’m not letting this go. I can’t stand seeing you like this. Did someone hurt you? Is it Jacob? Mara?”

I bit my lip so hard it hurt. “Please, stop asking.”

He searched my face, frustration warring with concern. “Why won’t you trust me? After everything; why won’t you let me in?”

Tears welled up, blurring my vision. “I do trust you. I’m just… I’m not ready to talk about it.”

Declan’s jaw tightened. He rose abruptly, pacing the room before turning back to me. “I need to know what’s going on. I can’t help if I’m in the dark, Willow. You’re killing me here.”

The words pierced through me, and I finally broke, sobbing uncontrollably. He was beside me in a heartbeat, pulling me into his chest. “Shh, baby, it’s okay. I’ve got you,” he murmured into my hair.

I clung to him, unable to form words. After what felt like hours, the tears slowed. Declan held me at arm’s length, his eyes searching mine. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. I promise. Just… don’t shut me out.”

“I just...,” I whispered, swallowing hard. “I just… need space.”

His gaze lingered on me, searching for something I couldn’t give him. “Okay,” he said finally, though doubt colored his tone. “But if you need me, you know I’m here.”

I nodded, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

He stood there for another moment before sighing and backing away. “Get some rest,” he said quietly.

When the door clicked shut behind him, I slumped against it, my chest tight.

I hated lying.

But I didn’t know how to tell him the truth, that everything was crumbling and I didn’t know how to stop it.

I shuffled back to bed and buried myself in the blankets, hoping for sleep that didn’t come. Every time I closed my eyes, Mara’s voice echoed in my head. Make the right choice. The image of her smug smile as she left me on the road.

By evening, Cassie came home, her arms full of groceries. She stopped short when she saw me in the same spot, unshowered, my eyes swollen from crying.

“Will, you’re scaring me,” she said softly. “Talk to me, please.”

“I’m just tired,” I whispered.

She frowned, crouching next to the couch. “This is more than tired. You haven’t left the apartment in two days. You didn’t even answer when I called this morning.”

I couldn’t meet her eyes. “I’m fine. I promise.”

Cassie didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press. “Okay. I’ll make you some tea, at least.” She disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of clinking mugs filling the heavy silence.

I glanced at my phone. Declan had texted me, just a simple - Let me know if you need anything. I love you.

I wanted to reply, to tell him everything, but my fingers hovered uselessly over the screen before I locked it again.

When Cassie returned with tea, she set it on the table and sat beside me. “You know I’m here, right? Whatever this is, you don’t have to do it alone.”

Her kindness almost undid me. I blinked hard, willing back the tears, and nodded.

After she went to bed, I lay awake in the dark, my thoughts looping endlessly: the video, Mara’s threat, Declan’s worried face at my door. I wanted to tell him. I wanted to believe he could fix it.

But the risk was too big. Too devastating.

I stayed still until dawn crept through the blinds, exhausted and hollow, wondering how much longer I could keep this up.