After I Proposed Breaking Off The Engagement, Don Regretted It Chapter 07
In the days that followed, Silas seemed like a different man.
Before, he’d rarely come to the luxury brand company except to meet with politicians. Now he showed up every single day.
The first thing he did was fire Ivy.
The second thing was follow me into the studio.
The new female model was someone I’d picked.
But the male model for the watches — that one was still up in the air. They hadn’t made a decision yet.
The brand’s target customer was refined and rakish.
Some employee mumbled under their breath, “Honestly, Mr. Ferrante would be perfect…”
I said, “We’re not in a rush this time. Mr. Ferrante, care to give it a try?”
Silas loved watches. He had expensive taste — putting anything under six figures on his wrist was practically an insult.
But he said, “Okay.”
Silas looked good wherever he stood. The results were bound to be excellent.
I studied the photos with interest, listening to the flood of compliments, then spoke up.
“He’s good. He’s very good. It’s just —”
I frowned slightly, enunciating every word clearly.
“This watch is targeting young men aged twenty to twenty-four.”
“Mr. Ferrante, isn’t he a little old for that?”
Everyone exchanged glances. No one had ever publicly embarrassed Silas like that.
His face went stiff for a few seconds before he recovered.
“You make a fair point.”
I was still smiling when I got back to my office. Caius looked worried I might fall for Ferrante again. “What are you smiling about?”
I kissed his eyes. “Just laughing at someone who’s getting old.”
Caius blinked, then smiled too. “I’m younger than him.”
Caius came to my office every day, posing as my cousin. He couldn’t avoid running into Silas.
Whenever it was just Silas in the hallway, Caius would deliberately pull open his coat collar to show off a few hickeys.
I didn’t know anything about it. I just noticed Silas smoking more and more.
Once, during a business discussion, I wrinkled my nose. “Next time, air out the smoke smell before you come see me.”
Silas’s hand froze on a stack of papers. “…It’s the same brand. The one you always liked.”
I didn’t even look up. “I quit.”
Silas opened his mouth. No words came out.
But he still came to the company every day, taking whatever I threw at him.
And still, he seemed confident he’d win in the end.
His arrogance lasted until one night.
That night, my meeting ran late.
Caius had fallen asleep in my office.
I walked over to him very, very carefully.
Caius didn’t look cute. His face was too fierce for that. But I thought he was adorable anyway. I couldn’t help it. I pressed a very, very light kiss to his forehead.
Then I looked up.
Silas was standing outside the door, watching.
He hadn’t made that face when I smashed a wine glass over his head.
His eyes were lost. He looked like he was in more pain than he could bear.
Silas grabbed my wrist, out of control.
The noise woke Caius. He was on his feet, ready to fight, in an instant.
I let out a long breath and said to Caius, “It’s okay. Let me talk to him. One last time.”
Caius stared at Silas, then slowly unclenched his fists.
Maybe the word “last” got to Silas. Because he didn’t look calm and untouchable anymore.
In the conference room, his voice came out rushed.
“Marlowe, I was wrong before.”
“I got our relationship wrong.”
“Cut him loose. I won’t see other women anymore.”
“Let’s start over. Okay?”
I frowned and opened my mouth. “Why would I start over with you?”
“Because we really love each other.” He stared at me, his voice hoarse. “Why should two people who really love each other break up?”
I looked at him, coldly.
“You never loved me. Silas, you’ve only ever loved yourself.”
“Stop pretending to be heartbroken. All this is because you just can’t handle that the girl who used to chase after you is finally gone.”
Silas flinched like my flat gaze was burning him. But he wouldn’t look away.
His eyes were bloodshot. His throat bobbed painfully a few times before he could speak.
“That’s not true. I love you, Marlowe. I love you.”
I’d been in love with him for thirteen years.
For five years after the engagement, I’d hated myself while I waited for his love.
And now here he was, on his knees, handing it to me. And I didn’t want it.
I stated a fact, calmly.
“But I don’t love you anymore.”
“Sign the papers. Soon.”
I walked toward the door.
Silas’s voice came from behind me.
“Then hate me.”
“That’s still better than being a stranger to me.”