His After The Heartbreak (BL)-Chapter 54: What Proof?

Chapter 54- What Proof?

Tyler's POV

I didn't flinch. I didn't move. I kept my gaze locked on Declan, refusing to show a single ounce of fear. Logan was still standing close to me, but right now, he barely existed in my mind. All I saw was Declan—the man who had ruined everything for me and my mother.

"What the hell are you talking about, Declan?" I asked, my voice steady.

"Why aren't you getting your facts right?" I scoffed, looking at him with pure disgust.

Declan smirked, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "You should keep that arrogance of yours in check. Unless you want me to pounce on you," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

That was it.

That one sentence set my blood on fire.

"Who do you think you are?" I snapped, stepping forward. "You better not repeat that nonsense ever again. Or do you think I'm like Mom? Do you think I'll cower in fear just because you throw out a few threats?"

Declan's smirk widened, like he was enjoying this.

"If you ever threaten me with violence, I swear I'll make your life unbearable," I said through gritted teeth. "You think you can control everyone with fear, but not me, Declan. Not anymore."

His eyes darkened, but I wasn't done.

"Can't you say a single thing without being violent?" I shook my head in disappointment. "And the funny part about all of this? You don't even have proof. Yet here you are, acting all high and mighty."

Declan's smirk didn't waver. Instead, he let out a low chuckle. "Oh, Tyler... you really think I don't have proof this time, don't you?"

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

He shook his head, clicking his tongue. "So you think you can keep lying? That you can use the lack of evidence as a shield?" His smirk turned wicked. "Well, I have proof now. How about that?"

I froze.

Declan immediately caught it. "Oh? What's wrong? All of a sudden, you can't talk?" His voice was taunting, filled with amusement. "You really planned on running away, didn't you?"

I clenched my fists.

"You know that was never going to happen, right?" He tilted his head mockingly. "Then why did you and your mother still go ahead and plan it?"

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Can you skip these low-budget accusations and show me the so-called proof you have?" I challenged.

Declan's smirk never wavered.

"Because if you're just talking blindly, then you're wasting both our time," I continued. "I didn't freeze because of any proof. I froze because I was wondering how someone could be this dumb."

Declan's expression darkened. "Tyler, watch that silly mouth of yours. If you don't respect me as your father, at least respect me as an elder."

I scoffed. "Or what? You gonna torture me like you did Mom?"

His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"That's what I thought." I folded my arms. "You want respect? Then earn it. You can't barge into my room, throwing out accusations without any real proof, and expect me to respect you."

Declan's jaw clenched. "I know you're lying, Tyler. And this time, I have proof."

That made my heart race. I knew he wouldn't say that unless he actually had something.

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"You know you can't play dumb with me," Declan continued, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I told you before—I'm always five steps ahead of you."

I stayed silent, waiting.

"When I first came in here, you told me not to accuse you and your mom without proof," he said. "Well, now I have all the proof I need."

He pulled out his phone, tapping on the screen before turning it toward me.

"This is CCTV footage of your mom buying two phones at the mall," he said smugly.

The video played—a grainy security recording showing my mother at the counter, purchasing something.

I rolled my eyes. "So just because she's buying something, you assume she bought two phones?"

Declan's smirk didn't fade.

"Where's the receipt for the two phones you're claiming she purchased?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Where, Declan? Show me!"

"You're just trying to dodge the truth," he said, shaking his head. "She bought that phone so you two could secretly communicate and escape."

I let out a dry laugh. "And I guess you conveniently forgot that she was kidnapped and lost her phone during that time?" I fired back. "Or did that never cross your mind?"

Declan's smirk faltered for just a second.

I pushed harder.

"Oh, what? You suddenly can't talk?" I taunted. "You think I was going to believe that cheap excuse of yours? That my mother wasn't kidnapped?"

Declan's eyes flickered, but I didn't stop.

"You think I was going to believe that you didn't abandon my mother the second you realized we were gone?" I scoffed.

His nostrils flared.

"You know, Declan," I continued, "you really shouldn't come at me with these pathetic accusations when they're so easy to contradict."

He clenched his jaw.

"You suddenly believed the rumor that my mom and I planned to run away? Why?" I smirked. "Because deep down, you knew you never treated her well. You knew that if she ever got the chance, she'd run. And that's why you were so quick to believe it."

Declan's face darkened even further.

"If you had treated her well," I continued, "none of this would've even crossed your mind. But no, instead of fixing yourself, you'd rather come here with fake accusations and 'proof' that doesn't even make sense."

He didn't say anything.

"You think you've caught me?" I laughed dryly. "You say you have proof of my mother buying a phone to contact me, yet you conveniently forgot that she lost her original phone when she was kidnapped?"

Declan's fingers tightened around his phone.

"You're a beast, Declan," I said coldly. "You waste all your energy obsessing over nonsense instead of actually focusing on the important things."

I took a step forward. "And you better not go accusing my mother of telling me all this—because she didn't."

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm not a fool," I continued. "I figured it out myself. You really think I wouldn't notice? The bruises, the exhaustion, the way she flinched at every sudden movement? Do you think I was dumb enough to believe she got all that from stress? From an insect bite? From oversleeping?"

Declan's lips pressed into a thin line.

"When you actually have real proof," I said, walking toward the door, "then you can come back." I pulled it open and gestured outside. "But for now? Get out."

Declan didn't move for a few seconds. Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out.

I slammed the door shut so hard that Logan flinched.

Silence filled the room.

I knew Logan had been listening to everything. I didn't need to ask.

I took a deep breath, running a hand down my face as exhaustion hit me all at once.

Then, after a moment, Logan finally spoke.

"I know you and your mom are planning to run away."

I froze.

Slowly, I turned to face him. "What?"

"You heard me." Logan's voice was quiet but firm. "I know you and your mom are planning to run."

I stared at him, my mind racing.

He raised his hand—and in it was a burner phone.

My burner phone.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Your dad might have some proof," Logan murmured. "But he doesn't have all of it."

I swallowed hard.

"So when," Logan said, his voice barely above a whisper, "were you planning on telling me that you were leaving?"

Silence.

"When were you going to tell me," Logan continued, his eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place, "that you were going to leave me behind... after I fell for you?"