Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 5

She stopped short, frozen to the spot, one hand gripping the banister, caught between going up or down.

It was Vianne and Shipley.

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, making them look every bit the perfect couple.

For a split second, it was as if they were the ones in love.

They were sitting together at the breakfast table, the atmosphere thick with something intimate and unspoken.

Vianne noticed her first. She stood up with an easy grace, greeting her as if nothing were amiss. “I made breakfast, Silvia. Want some?”

As if Silvia were just a guest in her own house.

Silvia didn’t answer. She lowered her gaze, long lashes trembling.

When she’d first moved in, she’d been so hopeful, waking early to cook breakfast for Shipley—waiting eagerly for him to come downstairs.

But Shipley had kept his distance back then, gently turning her down: “Sorry, Sweet Silvia. I’m just not a breakfast person.”

Now her eyes landed on Shipley’s plate—half-eaten scrambled eggs.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

So, it wasn’t that he didn’t like breakfast. He just didn’t like the person making it.

Only now did Shipley seem to notice her standing on the stairs. For a moment, his expression flickered with discomfort.

“Silvia, don’t be upset.” He stood up too, frowning a little, his voice soft and careful. “Vianne had a falling out with her family and had nowhere else to go, so I...”

He angled himself between the two women, instinctively shielding Vianne.

The subtle protectiveness made Silvia’s heart sink.

Is that how he saw her? Just a jealous, unreasonable woman?

No matter. She wouldn’t cause a scene. Not anymore.

“When did she get here?” Silvia asked quietly, making her way to the table and sitting down.

Shipley’s tone was gentle. “Early this morning.”

That was why he’d chosen to do nothing.

Silvia looked at the two of them, wanting to protest, but she was just so tired.

Forget it, she thought. In twenty-eight days, they’d have nothing more to do with each other.

Whatever love had existed between her and Shipley was gone now, worn down to nothing.

She managed a detached smile. “It’s fine. That’s all in the past. You’re welcome to stay.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Vianne’s expression froze, tears still glimmering on her lashes.

Shipley stared after Silvia, his eyes darkening with something cold and heavy.

There was something off about her calm, her refusal to fight or cry.

He frowned deeply, about to follow her, but Vianne clung to his hand. “Stay with me, Shipley. Please?”