"My elder brother forced her to do that against her will, and she couldn't resist him because she would be badly beaten up for doing that. She could only survive by showing obedience and following his order.

"She has been living in guilt and regret all this time. She doesn't have the courage to get close to me out of fear after a long time, and she can only be herself again after my elder brother's passing.

"Hence, I don't blame her, but I want to protect her more."

Deirdre expressed her hesitation. "How about Glenna then?"

The woman's beautiful face flashed past Declan's mind. Soon afterward, he frowned deeply and sounded rather uneasy when he said, "Why are you bringing her up out of nowhere?"

Deirdre said, "She's a friend of Fionn, right? Is she attending your wedding?"

"I didn't invite her." Declan's expression was calm.

Deirdre could not help feeling surprised. "Why? I thought you two have always been close?"

"That was the past." Declan's tone was tainted with a tinge of