Chapter 3

3.

Chloe's case was moving fast, and Silas was losing his mind trying to find a way out. No matter how hard his people searched, there was no sign of me.

In his high-rise office, the secretary stood trembling while delivering the news.

"The victim's family hired a new lawyer, sir. He's playing hardball."

"It seems they have key evidence. Ms. Vance's situation is looking very grim."

Silas scoffed. "A lawyer? Everyone has a price. Set up a meeting; I'll handle him myself."

He walked into the upscale coffee shop with the confidence of a king. But his face went pale the moment he saw the man waiting for him.

"Finn Hudson? What the hell are you doing here?!"

I was surprised too. Finn was my college classmate who had chased me for years.

I had turned him down every single time because Silas was the only man I ever wanted. Silas knew about Finn's feelings and had always hated him.

Finn didn't seem surprised to see Silas. He stirred his coffee slowly, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"Surprised?" Finn asked coolly.

Silas sat down, his voice cold. "When did you get back to the States?"

"Yesterday. As soon as I heard this case involved you, I booked the first flight out."

Finn put down his spoon and leaned in, his gaze sharp enough to draw blood.

Silas didn't flinch. "What's your angle, Finn?"

"No angle. I just decided that I am going to win this case, no matter what."

"Finn! It's been years! Are you still trying to get back at me?"

"Get back at you?" Finn shook his head, leaning back in his chair.

"You're overthinking it. I'm just here to get justice for the victims."

In his desperation, Silas didn't even notice that Finn used the plural word, "victims."

He pointed a finger at Finn's face. "Stop acting like a saint. You're just using this to take a swing at me!"

Then, Silas's eyes widened as if he'd discovered a grand conspiracy.

"You're doing this because of Seraphina, aren't you? Is that stray her child and yours?!"

"You want to take me down so you can run off with my wife, is that it?!"

Finn froze. He stared at Silas with an expression that shifted from shock to pity, and finally to a bitter laugh.

"Silas Bennett... you seriously have no idea whose child that was?"

Silas frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Finn didn't answer. He simply stood up and tossed a look of pure disgust at Silas.

"How was Sera so blind to marry a man like you?"

He walked away without looking back. Silas stood there fuming, cursing under his breath.

"Acting so high and mighty... he's just a loser nobody wants."

"He stayed single all these years just to lust after another man's wife. Pathetic!"

I watched Finn leave and then looked at Silas's distorted, angry face. I realized Finn was right.

I was blind. I was a fool to ever think Silas was a good man.

I had sacrificed everything for a man who would throw away his own soul for a woman made of lies.