Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 141

Silvia had been staying at Opal Ridge Retreat for three days, and her family tiptoed around the real question—they never once asked why she’d come home so soon after her wedding.

She could sense their carefulness, and a tangled, unspoken feeling weighed on her chest.

If she kept hiding out at home, wouldn’t that only make them worry more?

Clearly, she couldn’t stay here forever…

That afternoon, she was sitting on the sofa with her mother, Lola, chatting idly, when the housekeeper approached. He bowed his head politely and announced, “Ma’am, Miss, Mr. Barlow is here to see you.”

Shipley?

Silvia’s brow furrowed. Her first instinct was to ask the housekeeper to turn Shipley away, but Lola spoke before she could, her voice warm and welcoming. “Invite him in. He was always so good to Silvia back in the day. Maybe things have changed, but it’s still nice to keep in touch.”

The housekeeper nodded and left to fetch Shipley.

In the brief silence, Lola beamed at Silvia, her voice gentle. “You used to follow Shipley everywhere when you were little. I know you haven’t been yourself lately, but seeing an old friend might cheer you up.”

As a mother, Lola simply wanted her daughter to feel better. She truly believed she was making the right choice.

Silvia parted her lips, meaning to protest, but when she met the hope in her mother’s eyes, the words caught in her throat. After a moment, she simply let out a quiet breath and nodded.

Fine.

Let’s see what Shipley wants.

And… was there something odd between the two of them?

“Silvia, why don’t you two catch up for a bit? I’ll go check on dinner—maybe see what the cook can whip up for tonight.” Lola stood, still smiling, and made a point to add, “Shipley, you’d better stay for dinner. It’s been too long since we’ve had you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Evans,” Shipley replied without missing a beat, as if he’d already planned on staying.

Lola, of course, was giving them space on purpose. She figured old friends—especially these two—could only benefit from some time alone. Maybe Silvia would relax.

But as soon as Lola left, Silvia turned to Shipley, her eyes cold and guarded. “Why are you here?”

“Sweet Silvia,” Shipley replied, a teasing smile curling at his lips, something playful glinting in his eyes. “Is it so strange for me to visit your mother?”