Chapter 3

2

“I used to pride myself on being a rational egoist.”

“At least, that was how I saw myself before I became Silas Blackwood’s canary.”

“Back then, I was healthy, my hearing was perfect, and I had a sharp tongue. If anyone crossed me, I made sure they paid the price.”

“After all, I grew up as an orphan. If I hadn’t been tough and relentless, how could I have survived?”

“The first twenty years of my life were a struggle, but I took care of myself. I protected myself well.”

“My heart had never been handed to anyone.”

“Until I met Silas, and I thought, just maybe, there was someone else to love me.”

“I met him while working a part-time job during college.”

“The karaoke lounge was filled with men and women lost in the decadence of the night.”

“I sat in a corner, pouring drinks for a middle-aged man, subtly shifting my posture to avoid his wandering hands.”

“A gaze flickered from the other side of the sofa, passing over the crowd to land on me.”

“I looked up and locked eyes with him, startled.”

“He was a young, handsome man, but the way he looked at me was bizarre.”

“His eyes were deep and pitch-black, but when he looked at me, he seemed filled with sorrow, as if he were looking through me at someone else.”

“I shifted away, feeling uncomfortable, but I could feel his gaze following me until the party ended.”

“As soon as I sent the guests off, I changed my shoes and sprinted to make it to my second shift at a restaurant.”

“After hours of scrubbing dishes in the back kitchen for a meager daily wage, I walked out, my back aching.”

“Elara.”

“It was deep in the night, but a strange voice called my name.”

“I turned to see a black car parked by the restaurant entrance.”

“The window rolled down, revealing his handsome young face.”

“I had never cared much for cars, but I knew instantly that this vehicle, and this man, belonged to a class I could never reach, even if I scrubbed dishes for ten lifetimes.”

“I walked over, defensive. How do you know my name?”

“At my part-time job, I used a stage name provided by the manager. Why was he digging for my real name?”

“He ignored my caution and gave a faint smile. Get in. I will drive you home.”

“I turned to leave.”

“Outside of work, I don’t coddle anyone.”

“Flirt with me? Not a chance. I have a shift at the grocery store tomorrow. I don’t have time for men.”

“The car stayed put, and he didn’t even honk.”

“But from that day on, I had a silent shadow walking me home every night.”

“He wouldn’t speak, and he stopped driving.”

“When I left the restaurant, he would trail behind me, keeping a distance of about five meters, walking through seven or eight streets until I reached my apartment, only then turning away.”

“One night, the restaurant was busy. I washed extra stacks of plates and was delayed for hours.”

“Halfway home through the alley, two drunk men lunged out.”

“They saw me and started leering, reaching out to touch my face.”

“I dodged, my hand diving into my bag to grip something sharp, but I hesitated.”

“A thought crossed my mind. I wondered if he would…”

“Before I could finish the thought, a gust of wind swept past me. Silas strode over, taking down both men in a few swift, precise strikes.”

“He dusted off his sleeves with a look of disdain and walked over to pull me into his arms. His voice was gentle.”

“It is okay. Do not be afraid.”

“My face pressed against his chest, feeling his warmth and his heartbeat, and my tense body finally relaxed.”

“I had dealt with similar situations before.”

“In truth, I could have handled it myself.”

“My bag was always stocked with high-strength pepper spray, a stun baton, and even a heavy tool…”

“But that night, I had already gripped the handle, yet I hesitated because of Silas.”

“I pulled my hand from my bag and hugged him back.”

“That was the night we started seeing each other.”

“It sounds laughable now. Even after we were together, I remained proud and stubborn, working my jobs, refusing his money or help, and even making handmade gifts with my own earnings, thinking they were expensive and thoughtful.”

“Every time he received them, he would frown. Elara, you do not need to give me these things…”

“I always thought he liked me and didn't want me to spend money, never realizing he simply found it all utterly strange.”

“Not long after, he took me to a dinner party.”

“The others looked me over with leering eyes, teasing Silas. Where did you find this college girl to follow you around?”

“Silas smiled and didn’t answer, but he didn’t deny it either.”

“I stood there, stunned for a long time, only then realizing―ah, so I was just his latest acquisition.”

“No wonder there was no confession, no sweet talk. It was because we weren’t dating.”

“I was simply... kept by him.”