Chapter 3

3.

Silas froze. His eyes flickered with hesitation.

"Avery, the company just went public. We're going to be incredibly busy with new business."

Was he busy, or was he just making excuses because he didn't love me?

I gave a small, hollow laugh and nodded. "Right. I understand."

An indirect answer was the loudest answer of all.

I didn't push further. I walked toward the car, but Silas stopped after only a few steps.

I followed his gaze. In the distance, under a dim yellow streetlight, a woman was crouched on the curb with her head in her knees.

It was Clarissa.

Silas's eyes were glued to her. His voice was hoarse when he spoke.

"I have something to take care of. Go home without me."

He started walking toward her before I could even respond.

I stayed rooted to the spot, watching as Silas grabbed Clarissa's arm and pulled her toward a secluded corner.

Clarissa stumbled, and though Silas didn't help her up, he slowed his pace for her.

My fists clenched at my sides. I decided to follow them.

Around the corner of the walkway, Silas gripped her wrist, his eyes bloodshot.

"You said you were leaving. Why are you still here?"

Clarissa looked at him through tear-filled eyes. "I just... I wanted one last look at you."

Silas scoffed, his voice filled with suppressed rage. "You left so easily back then. Why come back now?"

Clarissa broke free and threw her arms around his waist, burying her face in his shoulder.

"I never wanted to leave you! My father wouldn't allow us to be together. He threatened me. He said if I didn't break up with you, he'd use his connections to crush you completely."

Silas didn't push her away. His hands were clenched into tight balls at his sides.

"Even if you had a reason, you should have told me. We could have faced it together. But you just vanished for three years."

"Now, what makes you think I'd want a woman who abandoned me?"

Clarissa's tears fell faster. she looked up at him, her gaze broken.

"I didn't come back expecting to be with you. I know you have someone else now. I just wanted to see that you were okay."

She let go and stepped back. "Knowing you're successful is enough for me. I'll go..."

Before she could finish, her body went limp, and she collapsed.

I watched from the shadows as Silas's icy facade shattered. He lunged forward and caught her in his arms.

"Clarissa?" His voice trembled with genuine fear.

When he realized she had only fainted from emotional stress, he let out a massive sigh of relief.

He stroked her cheek, his eyes filled with a raw, hidden love he never showed me.

"Clarissa Moore... you really are the death of me," he whispered.

Then, he picked her up in a bridal carry and walked away.

I stood there alone, watching his silhouette disappear.

A drop of moisture hit my cheek. I reached up and felt my face; it was already soaked.

For three years, Silas had been kind to me. Even when he was broke, he'd save every penny to buy me little gifts.

I thought that was love.

But seeing him with Clarissa, I finally realized what Silas Blackwell looked like when he was actually in love.

He was angry, he was messy, he was passionate.

With me, he was just wearing a mask of gentle gratitude.