All Chapters of The Mistake He Regrets.: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

It came back to her in flashes—sharp, unwanted and cruel.Elysia stumbled up the stairs, gripping the railing so hard her fingers ached, her chest tightening like something inside her was breaking all over again.She had been on the phone earlier that evening with her mother.“Honey, it’s time to let go and come home,” her mother said, her voice tight with worry. “You can’t continue like this.”She sighed, then told her she was fine. She even lied—lied that Declan was starting to come around, lied that he spent some nights home with her now.Her mother didn’t believe it but refrained from pushing further.“Your father wouldn’t allow you to suffer like this if he were alive.” Those were her mother’s last words before they said goodnight.In the last five years of her marriage to Declan, she had told a lot of lies—lies built to cover what she never had.Just the day before, she had lied to her best friend. She said she was no longer a virgin, that she and Declan had finally consummated

“What’s that?” Declan asked.Elysia didn’t answer immediately. She slowly stepped back down the stairs and bent to pick up the paper, her movements calm and controlled.Panic would only draw suspicion, and right now that was the one thing she couldn’t afford.She slipped the folded paper back into her bag.“Nothing important,” she said quietly.Declan frowned slightly.That response alone felt strange coming from her. Usually, Elysia would have rushed to explain herself. To reassure him. To ease whatever tension existed before it even had the chance to grow.But now she just looked… tired.Victoria suddenly rose from the sofa and walked toward her with concern written across her face.“Elysia, are you okay?” she asked softly, reaching for her hand.The moment their skin touched, Victoria’s nails dug painfully into Elysia’s palm.Elysia winced and instantly yanked her hand away.Victoria gasped and stumbled backward slightly.“Victoria.” Declan was already on his feet.Elysia stared at