Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 35

Silvia paused, caught off guard.

She hadn’t expected Kent to invite her to the art exhibit.

Not that she disliked Kent. In fact, she’d always had a good impression of him.

She would have gone alone anyway—having company sounded like a decent change.

After a moment’s thought, Silvia typed out a short reply: “Sure.”

The next day, though it was a weekday, the gallery was lively, with plenty of people milling about.

After weaving their way along the long corridor and taking in most of the displays, one painting drew Silvia in.

It wasn’t beautiful—not by any traditional sense. The piece was washed in dull grays, almost ugly, really.

But within that battered, desolate landscape, a single rose bloomed defiantly.

The brushstrokes were free yet disciplined.

Silvia understood art—she’d studied it for years. She’d once been eager to share her thoughts with Shipley.

But Shipley had never cared. He’d never even gone to an art exhibit with her.

In his eyes, her love for art was just a means to marry well.

He never realized her passion was real.

Silvia sighed softly, gazing at the painting in a quiet daze. She saw the artist’s metaphor clearly.

Rebirth from ashes.

Just like her.

Her expression grew calm, touched by a faint, wistful sadness that seemed to shroud her.

Kent’s gaze drifted over her, then settled on the painting. He lowered his eyes, thoughtful for a moment.

Just as Silvia hesitated, ready to speak up and buy the painting, a familiar voice rang out.

“If you like it, let me get it for you.”

She turned—and saw Shipley.

What a shame.

The painting would end up with someone who couldn’t see its meaning.

A deep voice sounded beside her, cool and matter-of-fact, leaving no room for argument: “Sorry, but we’ve already bought this piece.”

The sudden voice startled Silvia. She spun around, meeting the refined, restrained gaze of the man beside her.

Her heart fluttered.

Shipley and Vianne turned as well, following the sound.

Shipley’s face darkened when he saw Silvia standing next to the broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted man.

Especially when the man gave him a calm, almost taunting smile. Shipley’s eyes narrowed, his expression chilling. He forced a smile at Silvia, the danger barely masked beneath the surface.

“Sweet Silvia, why are you here with him—again?”

He was smiling, but his eyes held a warning.