Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 129

Little did she know, she wasn't the only one braving the desolate roads in this weather.

Silas Thorne hadn't gone into the office to work overtime today. Instead, he had taken his own car out for a drive. He had dismissed his driver, wanting to explore New York on his own terms—to see the city where Willow had grown up.

Through the heavy snowfall, he spotted a slender figure trudging along the shoulder of the road. With just a brief glance at her silhouette, Silas immediately knew it was Willow.

He just couldn't fathom why she was walking alone in a blizzard.

Not wanting to startle her, Silas eased his foot off the gas and coasted alongside her. He didn't honk. Instead, he rolled down the passenger window and called out smoothly, "Ms. Horgan."

Willow turned her head, her eyes widening in surprise when they met his. "Mr. Thorne? What are you doing out here?"

Silas brought the car to a smooth halt and stepped out, deliberately positioning his broad frame between her and the biting wind. "Just passing through. Where are you heading?"

"I'm trying to get to the subway station," Willow answered honestly.

"That's quite a walk from here. Get in. I'll give you a ride."

"Oh, I couldn't. I don't want to hold you up if you have somewhere to be."

"You aren't," Silas replied simply. He didn't push or rush her. He just stood there quietly, waiting for her answer.

Willow hesitated. On one hand, office rumors painted him as a ruthless, unapproachable tyrant. She was terrified of making a wrong move and offending the big boss.

On the other hand, based on her own interactions with him, the rumors seemed wildly inaccurate. He wasn't cold at all; he was incredibly stable and surprisingly helpful.

Sensing her internal debate, Silas spoke up. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of me?"

Outside, the freezing air had numbed her senses, but the moment she was enclosed in the warm cabin, Willow was immediately enveloped by the subtle scent of his cologne. It was a deep, understated blend of cedarwood and morning mist. She found she really liked it.

She glanced at the dashboard. It was immaculately clean, completely devoid of useless trinkets or clutter. It perfectly matched his commanding aura.

"Where to?" Silas asked, reaching over to turn up the heat so she could thaw out.

"Aren't we just going to the subway station?"

"If I'm giving you a ride, I might as well take you all the way to your destination," Silas replied, his tone perfectly measured and polite. "But if you're not comfortable giving me your address, just drop a pin nearby."

She was just going home. There was no reason to hide it. Willow rattled off her apartment complex.

Once the address was set, the cabin started to feel a bit too warm. She unwound her scarf and pulled it off. The motion immediately exposed her neck—and the dark, brutal bruises blooming across her jawline.