The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 264

Silas and Serena’s Birthday.

“Were you satisfied with his answer?” Silas asked on the way to the office.

The man looked a little hurt for having been asked to leave the visiting area earlier.

“Not really,” Noelle replied calmly. “I guess I will never fully understand his actions, but that doesn’t matter anymore.”

She leaned in to Silas and puckered her lips. “I don’t care.”

“I have you and Theo,” she said with a smile. “And that’s more than enough for me to forget about Brian, Gwen, and all the pain that came with my past.”

She kissed his cheek, her face burning as she declared, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Silas froze like a statue.

He didn’t look at her, but the tips of his ears turned red.

He coughed into his fist. “...I see.”

“I’m not surprised,” he added.

Noelle, “...”

“I’m very easy to love,” Silas said, clearing his throat like he was stating a fact. “Frankly, I’ve been expecting this.”

Noelle blinked at him.

“I mean, have you seen me?” he continued. “I’m more handsome than Brian. Statistically speaking, this outcome was inevitable.”

Noelle, “...”

“You were just… used to Brian’s presence. That’s why you never saw me,” he said, waving a hand. “That’s all.”

Before Noelle could react, Silas cupped her face and kissed her.

When he pulled back, he bit her bottom lip lightly and murmured, “You can’t take it back now, Noelle. You have to be responsible for what you say.”

“There is no divorce once we are married,” he added firmly. “And no meeting strange men without my approval. Let’s not create unnecessary complications.”

“I don’t mind if you don’t wear makeup or those… distracting clothes,” he went on, pulling her closer. “Your charm is already excessive as it is.”

“Everything about you is best kept under my watchful supervision,” he said with a smirk.

“You know, I used to think I only liked you because you challenge me. I thought your smile and your face were distracting, but after giving it much thought and a thorough review, I’ve finally concluded it’s much worse than I thought,” he continued.

He took her hand and placed it on his chest. “Feel that? Evidence suggests I’ve been in love with you this whole time. Who would have known?”

Noelle tried not to laugh. Silas was trying to hide his deepest feelings.

In the past, Noelle had misinterpreted his actions as someone who simply wanted to ruin her day, but now, she could see right through him.

“Really?” she said confidently. “You’re in love with me? Actually, I’m not surprised. I can tell by the way you can’t keep your hands off—Ahh! Silas, we are in the car!”

After Serena, Sterling turned to Silas. He smiled, clearly pleased. “Likewise, my son came tonight with a family of his own—and I must say, he didn’t waste any time catching up.”

Soft laughter rippled through the room.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce Noelle, Silas’s fiancée, and Theo, their son.”

He glanced at Silas, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Apparently, my son has been in love with the same woman since high school… and only found the courage to act on it after discovering he already had a child with her.”

More laughter echoed. When the giggles died down, Sterling resumed, “Today is Serena and Silas’s birthday, but I feel like it’s mine, for they have gifted me and Celine so much more—new family members, people whom we can rely on and trust.”

Sterling also gazed at the Hartleys, who felt like family too. “Thank you for being part of our family. Including all our employees, our business partners, and executives—thank you for giving my children the respect and trust they deserve.”

“To Silas and Serena,” Sterling said, raising a glass of wine a server had passed to him. “You’ve both been through more than I ever wished for you… but today, I see strength, love, and a future worth celebrating.”

“That, to me, is the greatest gift!” he declared, ending his speech. “Happy Birthday!”

“Happy Birthday!” the crowd echoed, all raising a glass for Silas and Serena.

As the cheers filled the hall, Sterling smiled to himself.

There had been a time when he feared their family would never be whole again. Yet here they were—stronger, fuller, and happier than before.

Perhaps life had a way of taking things apart… only to return them in ways no one expected.

And somehow, he had a feeling… this wasn’t the end of their happiness. It was only the beginning.