Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 147

Outside the Opal Ridge Retreat, Silvia and Shipley stood beneath the glow of a few street lamps. The soft, amber light bathed Silvia, making her features appear even softer and more beautiful in the night.

Shipley couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows ever so slightly at the sight of her. His eyes, usually playful, now shimmered with a warmth he could barely contain. Almost without thinking, he reached out and rested his hand gently on Silvia’s shoulder.

His voice was as familiar and affectionate as ever, carrying a note of teasing intimacy. “Sweet Silvia, I know why you had Kent come tonight—it was just to get under my skin, wasn’t it? I don’t mind what you do, really. Come with me, hmm?”

Of course. In Shipley’s mind, Kent’s presence was just another one of Silvia’s little games.

How could this man possibly be so shamelessly confident?

Silvia bit back a smile, her lips curving in a way that was more sardonic than amused. She didn’t rush to push Shipley away; instead, she met his gaze head-on and said, “Shipley, if you’re going to make a scene, at least take a look at where you are.”

They were standing on the grounds of Opal Ridge Retreat, after all.

If Shipley tried anything, all she had to do was shout, and the Ashford family’s staff would be outside in seconds.

Shipley understood the implication. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by a flash of frustration in his eyes.

After a moment, he let go of her shoulder and exhaled, slow and heavy. “Sweet Silvia, I have to head back to Luminova City for a few days—business at the company. But don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. If you won’t come with me now, then for you, I’m willing to—”

Silvia felt a wave of disgust at the lovesick look on his face. She cut him off, turning slightly away. “Don’t use me as your excuse for anything.”

With that, she left him standing there and headed inside, leaving Shipley alone in the night.

He watched her walk away, his lips twisting into a rueful smile.

“Try this,” he said softly. “It’s your favorite.”

Silvia snapped out of her thoughts, letting Shipley drift from her mind, and quietly began to eat.

Lola watched the young couple, noticing that the easy warmth between them from earlier was gone. Her brow creased just a little, concern flickering in her eyes.

After dinner, Kent’s voice, cool and even, broke the silence. “Silvia, let’s go home. Unless you’d rather stay here a while longer?”

She’d already made her intentions clear earlier. If she didn’t leave with Kent tonight, the family would only assume there was trouble between them.

Silvia pressed her lips together, sighing inwardly. “Let’s go home,” she replied.