Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 176

Silvia was even more remarkable than anyone had ever realized.

……

Chronos Gardens.

As Silvia stepped out of the cab, she immediately spotted a familiar figure waiting by the curb.

The sight made her lips tighten into a faint, cold smile, her eyes taking on a detached chill. “What are you doing here?”

“Silvia, can we talk?”

Vianne, as always, was dressed in a flowing white dress, radiating an air of elegance and purity that seemed almost out of place. It was already early winter, yet she acted as if she didn’t feel the cold at all.

Silvia had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with Vianne, nor did she care how the woman had found out where she lived. The last person who’d approached her under the guise of wanting a “talk” was Nannie, and that conversation had been anything but pleasant.

“We’re not exactly friends, are we?” Silvia replied coolly. “So I don’t see why we need to have a conversation.”

With that, she turned to head inside, but as she passed Vianne, the other woman suddenly caught her by the arm.

Silvia stopped, her gaze sliding over to Vianne, eyes frosty as she said calmly, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I told you—I just want to talk.”

Vianne lifted her eyes to meet Silvia’s, her stare unflinching. For a moment, the gentle smile on her lips faltered.

She knew the area well and led Vianne to a cozy nearby bistro. They found a quiet table and sat down.

Leaning back in her chair, Silvia narrowed her eyes at Vianne, her voice icy. “Go on, then. What is it you want to discuss?”

“Silvia, I know you’ve always resented me for taking away all those years of your life. But to me—that life was always supposed to be mine in the first place.” Vianne’s eyes glistened, her expression almost wounded.

Silvia let out a short, mocking laugh. “Vianne, that act of yours might fool Shipley, but you really think you can pull it off with me? Do you honestly believe I don’t know what kind of person you are?”

She remembered all too well the countless ways Vianne had made her life miserable when they were young.

Vianne hesitated, lips pressed together, but after a pause she forced a smile. “You really have misunderstood me, Silvia. I get that you don’t like me, but let me be direct—will you leave Shipley?”