Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 75

Silvia returned home alone.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw Lola curled up on the sofa, clutching the now dog-eared engagement party planner in her hands.

“Silvia, you’re back just in time.” Lola beamed, tugging Silvia down beside her. She pulled out the guest list, her voice gentle as she asked, “Kent’s already confirmed everyone on his side. Why don’t you take a look and tell me if there’s anyone else you’d like to invite?”

Silvia glanced down the list. The moment she spotted Yvette’s name, she shook her head. “No, that’s everyone.”

Aside from Yvette, she didn’t have any friends.

Fifteen years spent under her foster mother’s roof had drained her; she was always trying so hard to please, there was simply no energy left for friendships.

Lola didn’t notice the flicker of sadness in Silvia’s eyes. She just continued cheerfully, “Alright then. I’ll send out the invitations according to this list.”

The engagement party was only two days away.

Silvia thought of Nannie.

On a sudden impulse, she reached for the list again, scanning the names on Kent’s side. Nannie’s name wasn’t there.

Her brow furrowed slightly.

But she understood.

After all, it was her and Kent’s engagement. Inviting Nannie would probably only make things harder for her.

Kent had mentioned before that, in the Parsons family, there had only ever been widows or widowers—never a divorce.

Perhaps this marriage would be the first to break that tradition.

Suddenly, Silvia didn’t feel the same anticipation for the engagement party that she’d had yesterday.

That night, after washing up and getting ready for bed, her phone rang. Kent’s name flashed across the screen.

She sighed softly, eyes lingering on his name.

Since he’d called tonight, perhaps it was time to clear the air.

Kent’s answer was quick and succinct, his mood unreadable.

She pressed on, wanting no room for misunderstanding. “Since you agree, I trust you’ll keep your word. If you can’t... well, it’s better to end this before it starts.”

Better for both of them.

She heard his breathing hitch, just for a second.

Silvia pressed her lips together, heart beating a little faster, a nervousness creeping in she didn’t quite recognize.

“Silvia.”

After a pause, Kent spoke, slow and deliberate, each word a quiet vow.

“I’ve never cared about a marriage the way I care about this one. Ceremony. Loyalty. Faithfulness—I’ll give you all of it. If you stay where you are, I’ll come to you, and walk this road with you to the end.”

Loyalty, but not love.