Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 29

“My brother always indulges me. But I’m not a child anymore.”

Silvia cut him off, her tone cool and measured. “Mr. Barlow, Ms. Williamson, you both have your party to get back to—we’ll leave you to it. My affairs aren’t really your concern.”

For years, Shipley had used her age as an excuse, but the truth was, she’d outgrown all that long ago.

She was her own person now—an independent adult, perfectly capable of making her own choices, and discerning right from wrong.

With nothing more to say, Silvia turned and left.

Shipley watched her retreating figure, his brow furrowing even deeper, his eyes darkening with a complexity he couldn’t quite name.

He didn’t know why, but he suddenly realized the girl who used to follow him everywhere wasn’t the same anymore.

It was as if, all at once, she’d grown up. Her gaze no longer lingered on him; she seemed more self-possessed, more independent than ever—and somehow, that only made him feel more restless.

Their colleagues, having witnessed the little drama, exchanged knowing glances and slipped away after offering Shipley a few half-hearted words.

Silvia hailed a cab and rode home alone.

By the time she got there, the effects of the alcohol began to kick in, settling in stronger with each passing minute.

She racked her brain but just couldn’t remember where she’d lost her keys.

Her head spun, the dizziness growing worse.

She’d meant to hire a locksmith through an app, but her limbs felt too heavy—so she leaned against the doorway, resting for what felt like fifteen minutes before she managed to catch her breath.

She was about to pull out her phone when she heard the elevator doors slide open down the hall.

Silvia’s eyes snapped up.

A broad-shouldered man stepped out of the elevator, his presence commanding, almost overwhelming.

It was Kent.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked, striding toward her, a slight crease appearing between his brows. “Have you been drinking?”

“Yeah,” Silvia admitted, pointing weakly at the front door. “I lost my keys. I was going to call someone to help, but I started feeling too dizzy…”

“It’s not safe to just stand around in the hallway by yourself. Come sit at my place for a bit. And if your keys are gone, it’s better to change the lock anyway—I’ll call someone to come do it.”

“No, I can manage,” Silvia replied, trying to stand. But her head was still spinning, and her legs gave out beneath her, sending her tilting sideways.

Kent caught her arm again, steadying her just before she fell.

Before she knew what was happening, he was guiding her into his bedroom.

He meant to lead her to the bed, but Silvia turned away, trying to pull free.

“I can do this myself. You should get some rest,” she insisted.

But the sudden movement, combined with her dizziness, made her stagger again.

Kent’s hand never let go, and Silvia, off balance, toppled backward.

For the first time, as she fell onto the soft mattress, she caught a fleeting expression in his eyes—something almost startled, slipping through his usual reserve.

She landed on the bed, Kent’s hands braced on either side of her arms.

Their legs brushed, ever so gently—there was still distance between them, but the air seemed charged with something unspoken, something neither of them dared name.