A Childhood Promise, A Cold Comeback Chapter 05

A Childhood Promise, A Cold Comeback Chapter 05

Before I could respond, Silas spoke up, “Haze, how about I show you around your new school first?”

He offered an innocent look, the picture of simple helpfulness.

Lucas’s voice shot up in volume, sharp with disbelief, “Haze? You’re with Silas?!”

“Where are you?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear, finding Lucas’s voice grating for the first time, “My location is none of your concern.”

Lucas acted as if he hadn’t heard, his tone dripping with outrage, “You’re really so petty you’d run to Silas just to get back at me?!”

“You’d lower yourself to that level just to…”

I’d had enough. I cut him off with a snarl, “Enough!”

I took a deep breath, my voice cold and final, “Lucas, you’re the one who’s truly despicable.”

There. I had finally returned his words to him.

“Don’t call me again. Whatever we had is over. For good.”

I hung up immediately, blocking the number and deleting it—just like his.

Silence settled over me, and I turned to Silas with an apologetic smile, “Sorry you had to hear that.”

Silas only grinned, “Then buy me dinner? Consider it compensation.”

He winked, and I relaxed, returning the smile, “Deal.”

The two Sullivan brothers could not have been more different.

Years ago, Mr. Sullivan had cheated on his wife, and when his mistress—Lucas’s mother—had tried to force her way into the family, Mrs. Sullivan had acted swiftly.

She divorced him, securing a settlement that included half the Sullivan assets and custody of her young, exceptionally gifted son, Silas.

After that, Silas had changed his last name to his mother’s—Tate—and moved abroad.

My mom had always spoken of them with admiration, remarking that the Sullivan family had fallen into decline ever since Mrs. Tate had left.

The two sons of the Sullivan family were worlds apart.

Whenever we’d talked about it, Mom would sigh, “Why does my Hazel have to be so soft-hearted, falling for someone like Lucas?”

Back then, I’d felt sorry for Lucas—he hadn’t chosen his mother’s role in the family. I’d only been grateful Mom respected my choices.

Now I understood: sometimes, elders truly do see farther.

The sea breeze brushed my cheeks, scattering my thoughts.

I shook my head, raising an eyebrow at the road ahead, “This doesn’t look like the way to a restaurant.”

Silas chuckled, “Your mother’s orders, I’m afraid. Indulge me?”

I laughed, turning to watch the sunset paint the highway gold.

Sure enough, the car pulled up in front of a sleek, understated villa.

“Transferring to a new school” had been a formality at best.

Silas and I had both been raised to take over our families’ businesses, and it wasn’t long before we started receiving invitations to business galas.

Dressed in the violet gown Mom had picked out, I navigated the crowd with a champagne flute in hand, greeting guests with poise—until I spotted Silas.

He wore a tailored suit, but a single violet boutonnière pinned to his lapel clashed with his calm demeanor, matching my dress perfectly.

The people around us excused themselves, and I shook my head at him, amused, “No point pretending either of us is here entirely by choice.”

That dinner we’d shared? Mom and Mrs. Tate had turned it into what might as well have been an engagement announcement with a few casual remarks.

We were adults—we didn’t take such games seriously.

Silas and I had silently agreed to brush it off as a joke between our mothers.

We’d underestimated how determined they were to see us together, though.

Mom had given me a “Butterfly Emergence” wristwatch; a few days later, Mrs. Tate had gifted Silas the matching men’s timepiece.

When Silas received a set of cufflinks from his mom, Mom had handed me the identical pair before a negotiation I had to attend.

I’d almost gotten used to it.

But this time, Silas stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine as he spoke slowly, deliberately, “What if I said I welcome this? Not for our mothers’ sake, but for my own?”

He took another step, his voice soft and clear as a stream, sending a shiver down my spine, “What if I always have?”

Golden fireworks exploded overhead, lighting up the cruise ship’s deck.

I stared into his bright, unwavering eyes—and felt my heart skip a beat.

What blossomed between Silas and me felt natural, inevitable—like the next, right page in a story long being written.