All Chapters of Rocking the Boat, Drowning Our Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Raelynn's POVIn that instant, the new boat, adorned with roses, glided into the water while the crowd erupted into cheers and began jostling one another. "You should get on the boat, Raelynn!""You're finally getting married after seven years, Raelynn!" Faith Chapman, my best friend, exclaimed, sounding genuinely happy on my behalf.Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Declan Johnson, my boyfriend, disembarked and walked in my direction. He paused beside me for a mere instant before passing by. He finally came to a stop in front of Paige Cullen, his assistant, and asked in a casual, affectionate tone, "Do you like the birthday present I got you, Paige?"In that instant, an eerie silence settled over the surroundings, while Paige clapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were alight with surprise. Paige and Declan then walked over to the boat together while holding hands.Declan stopped as he passed by me this time, saying indifferently, "I'll be giving this boat to Paige first

Chapter 2

Faith, who was standing beside me, was visibly fuming. Her eyes turned bloodshot with rage.I caught her and held her back, though.Thus, with the launching ceremony over, a banquet was held on board for everyone to drink and celebrate.Those bystanders gathered around to watch the spectacle. "It seems like another couple is about to get married! That wedding boat is magnificent!"It was then that someone called out from the crowd. "Congratulations!"Paige stood at the bow, shaking Declan's arm back and forth in an adorable manner. "I have another birthday wish, Declan."She spoke loud enough to make everyone turn their heads. "I want you to be my seven-day boyfriend!" In that instant, the crowd went wild. "Do it! Do it!"Declan chuckled softly, ruffled her hair, and said without the slightest hesitation, "I'll do it for seven days, then!"Declan didn't even spare me a single glance throughout the entire time. Paige, on the other hand, shot me a subtle glance. Her smile widen

Chapter 3

Declan's hand trembled. The glass of water in his hand was shaking slightly. He then scoffed and asked, "You're switching to a new tactic now, huh? You're never going to stop until I call you out, huh?"I was stunned, failing to understand what he meant at first.Declan sneered. "Didn't you have Faith push me to propose to you today, Raelynn? What's the matter? You're playing hard to get now that your previous tactic has failed, huh?"I realized then that he thought I had orchestrated what Faith said today to force a proposal. I found it utterly ridiculous, but I didn't bother clarifying. I merely nodded and said, "I've decided to marry someone else since the tactics have failed."Declan's sneer deepened right after hearing that. "Do you honestly have it in you to break up with me, Raelynn? You ought to stop taking things too far. You're already 28 years old this year, so there's probably no one else out there who's willing to marry you anymore. "You should head to bed early—we s

Chapter 4

In the photo, I could see that the boat was bigger and more refined—and most importantly, the entire boat was covered in my favorite magnolias, with not a single rose in sight.I started packing my belongings as soon as I returned home, slowly sorting through some basic clothes and personal documents.I also found photos of us together over the years, each with a message written on the back. I went through them one by one. There was a photo of us taken at Lake Erwen, and he had written on the back that he wanted to be with me for the rest of our lives. There was another one taken of us watching the sunrise together, and he had written on the back that I was far more beautiful than the sunrise itself.I packed all of them up, hesitated briefly, and then tossed them into the trash can.It wasn't long before the faint sound of a car came from downstairs. Declan had returned early because it had suddenly started raining. He opened the door, bringing inside a trace of Paige's perfume.

Chapter 5

That wedding invitation appeared to be made specifically for him, with "Hugo Lund cordially invites his university junior, Declan Johnson, to attend the wedding." There was nothing more written beyond that.Declan recognized Hugo. He was a senior at his university back then who had once tried to pursue Raelynn, though she was already dating him. He didn't think he was on such good terms with Hugo, though, so he wasn't particularly interested in attending the wedding. He even found the arrival of the invite somewhat baffling.He instantly replied to Rosie, telling her that he had no time to attend Hugo's wedding.He headed up to Paige's apartment after that, and as soon as he walked through the door, Paige threw herself into his embrace. "You're finally here, Declan! I'm so scared!"Declan stiffened the moment he felt her soft body against his. His rationality still prevailed, though, prompting him to push her away. "You should stand properly first, Paige."He looked down and notic

Chapter 6

Declan spent all his time with Paige over the following week, catering to her every need. He would send Raelynn a message every now and then, but he never received a reply from her.Paige brought him along to a party with her friends on the sixth night.Declan was distracted the entire evening, as Raelynn hadn't texted him back in days. She hadn't even asked when he was coming home, which she always did. He felt that it was completely out of character for her. He couldn't help but wonder if she was still mad at him. He had already promised they would get married the moment he got back, so he couldn't understand what else she could be upset about. He irritably downed another glass of wine at that thought.Paige's friends started teasing both of them."Your seven-day boyfriend is giving us major relationship goals! How could it only be temporary? It's obviously your true love making its grand debut!""How can you call this a temporary arrangement? You two will definitely tie the k

Chapter 7

Before the veil could lift any further, the bridesmaid standing beside her quickly caught it and held it down. She turned toward the crowd as she did so, revealing her face—it was Faith, Raelynn's best friend. Declan's heart hammered in his chest as he stared intently at the bride, thinking that she looked incredibly familiar. He couldn't help but feel a sudden wave of absurdity wash over him. Why had he thought, even for a second, that the bride was Raelynn?He found it utterly ridiculous, yet he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling creeping into his chest.Paige tugged on Declan's arms, sounding excited as she asked, "Do you see that, Declan? That leading boat is adorned entirely with magnolias! How beautiful!"Declan was utterly stunned after hearing Paige's remarks. He suddenly recalled what Raelynn had said back then. "I want the whole wedding boat covered in magnolias when we get married, Declan! It will definitely be one of a kind!"He felt his chest tightening as his hea

Chapter 8

Paige held Declan back from behind. "You need to calm down, Declan!"Declan shoved her aside. He was just about to shout again when a sharp, authoritative voice called out his name. "Declan!"He turned around to find Raelynn's mother, Freya Strand.Freya asked, "Did you come here to cause a scene, Declan?"Declan strode over to her and, as if grasping at the last shred of hope, asked, "What is going on here, Mrs. Quinn? Why is Raelynn standing there, acting as the bride? Raelynn and I were just about to register our marriage!"Freya actually laughed when she heard that, throwing a derisive look toward Paige. "You've got to be kidding me, Mr. Johnson. Isn't this woman right here your girlfriend? What business do you have getting a marriage certificate with our darling Raelynn?"Declan turned deathly pale. He lowered his voice, sounding guilty without even realizing it, and said, "It's not like that, Mrs. Quinn. Paige is just like a sister to me. Raelynn and I have been together fo

Chapter 9

In the end, the crowd slowly thinned out, and the newlyweds left for the next part of the celebration.Paige looked down at Declan as he sat slumped on the ground. She then said softly, "I actually knew all along that Raelynn was getting married today, Declan."Declan suddenly looked at her, his eyes full of disbelief. "Is that why you kept asking me to stay with you?"Paige nodded. "I just wanted to make you realize that Raelynn doesn't love you at all! I've had feelings for you for so long, so I'm clearly a better fit for you than Raelynn! You love me too, don't you, Declan?"Declan closed his eyes as a wave of chest-crushing pain hit him. He had convinced himself that Raelynn would wait indefinitely and that a simple apology would always fix things. He realized how absurd it was to think that getting married would automatically undo his blatant favoritism and broken trust. He thought he had been an absolute fool to believe that.He opened his eyes again; this time, they were

Chapter 10

Declan felt completely powerless. He was unable to do anything but watch Raelynn walk into the company building with the lunchbox. He suddenly thought of the old days. He used to skip breakfast constantly, which often triggered his stomachaches. Raelynn would constantly switch up her recipes to make food for him. He would return home from work to find plates of food waiting for him on the dining table. It was always something different. "You should come try this, Declan! It's a new recipe I've found! I'm sure you'll love it!"Raelynn was still preparing lots of food, but they were no longer meant for him.Declan covered his face with both of his hands and completely broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.…Five years later, Declan ran into Raelynn again. Delilah Lowe, Declan's cousin, had dragged him out along with her at Rosie's request.He crossed paths with a pair of twin girls, who were secretly sharing an ice cream cone between themselves, at the shopping mall."Hurry up and e

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