Chapter 3

Silas looked completely different from our first meeting.

His rebellious, messy hair was now neatly styled, and he wore a crisp, spotless white button-down shirt.

Even the bold tattoo on his shoulder was nowhere to be seen.

I stood there, momentarily stunned.

He played through the piece as if nobody were watching, only turning his head toward me when the final note faded.

A playful smirk played on his lips:

"Allow me to introduce myself. You've just witnessed a private performance by Silas Hayes, a top music conservatory guest instructor who charges twelve grand a lesson."

I played along and dipped into an elegant curtsy:

"I'm deeply honored. I had no idea you possessed such hidden talents."

"There's plenty more you don't know about me."

My curiosity piqued, and I pointed toward his shoulder with a raised brow:

"Does that include your disappearing tattoo?"

He laughed softly. "Just a waterproof sticker. Good for intimidating people."

He didn't probe into my family's objections that night.

Instead, he walked me through every detail of our upcoming wedding.

He shared his vision for the ceremony and discussed potential business collaborations between our families.

Appreciating his thoughtfulness, I matched his rhythm and offered my own insights.

We talked for hours until the clock neared midnight.

Silas glanced at his watch.

"I have some business to attend to, so I need to head out. Make yourself at home―all the guest amenities are ready."

Just like when we first met, he left in a brisk, decisive whirlwind.

After he left, wandering around the massive, quiet house felt pointless.

I decided to grab my coat and head home as well.

To my surprise, the world was unimaginably small.

The moment I reached the community parking garage, I ran right into Bryce and Leah walking arm in arm.

Their faces twisted in shock when they saw me:

"Audrey Vance? What are you doing here?"

I didn't even bat an eye. "Just passing by."

"Passing by?!"

Bryce immediately let go of Leah's arm and took an aggressive step forward.

"Passing by my neighborhood at eleven o'clock at night? Who are you kidding? You followed me here, didn't you?"

"What, did you regret acting so righteous and high-and-mighty at the café yesterday?"

Looking at his smug, self-satisfied face made my stomach churn.

"Following you? Bryce, did yesterday's drone lights fry your brain?"

"Save the tough act!" he sneered. "I get it. You want to get back together, but you're too proud to beg. You want me to give you an easy way out."

"Fine. I'll give you a chance. But…"

Bryce's eyes glinted with arrogant calculation:

"Since you're the one begging for my return, my terms have changed."

"If you want me back, you have to pay for Leah's and my entire wedding."

"The venue must be the most expensive luxury hotel in the city, the gown must be Paris haute couture, and the orchestra must be flown in from Vienna."

"On top of that, you can't attend the wedding. It's our special day, and you need to respect Leah."

Leah chimed in with a sweet, condescending nod. "That's right. Think of it as your compensation to Bryce."

Compensation?

I nearly burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity.

He was the one who broke our engagement and stole another man's bride.

Now he had the shameless nerve to demand all this and call it compensation?

I wasn't going to waste another polite breath on them.

Sighing, I pulled out my phone and forwarded a digital business card to Bryce's chat―

It was a premier psychiatric specialist.

Bryce glanced at his screen, his face flushing crimson with rage. "Are you calling me crazy?!"

I shrugged, turning toward my car:

"Just a friendly gesture. Get help early before your delusions get worse."