Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 451

Silas Thorne simply acknowledged her words. "Got it. When do you plan on coming back?"

Willow Horgan thought for a moment. "Soon. Within a week, I'd say."

Whether this trip yielded results or not, a week would be more than enough time.

Hearing this, the deep crease between Silas's brows finally smoothed out. He instantly began mentally rearranging his schedule, determined to wrap up his current projects as quickly as possible. Ideally, he wanted to be there to pick her up in person.

They chatted for a while longer. Eventually, exhausted from the day's events, Willow actually dozed off right in the middle of the call.

Through the screen, Silas studied her face. Her long lashes rested naturally, casting a soft shadow over her cheekbones. The delicate, elegant slope of her nose highlighted the clean lines of her profile. Stripped of her daytime resilience, she looked entirely peaceful and sweet.

He watched her quietly for a long time. If he could, he felt he could have happily done nothing but watch her sleep all night. But worried about disturbing her rest, Silas eventually ended the video call.

Before disconnecting, however, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead through the screen.

The next morning, when Willow woke up, it took her a moment to realize what had happened—she had actually fallen asleep with Silas still on the video call.

Embarrassed, she hurriedly sat up and grabbed her phone, intending to send him an apology text.

But before she could even open the messaging app, a knock sounded at her door. It was Mayor Henderson, asking if she was awake and mentioning he had some news.

It wasn't until they got closer that Willow and Leo realized just how severe his condition was.

His thin clothes did nothing to hide the scars covering his body. His exposed arms were littered with blisters of all sizes and ulcerated wounds. Some had just scabbed over, the delicate skin looking as though the slightest touch would tear it open and send it bleeding again. Other spots were inflamed and raw, the flesh a sickly crimson that made their chests tighten just looking at it.

He had a hunched posture, and his height and weight were noticeably stunted for a boy his age. His youthful cheeks were marred by patches of broken skin, and what should have been smooth, flawless skin was instead covered in wrinkles and thick scars, as if he had been ruthlessly crushed by time.

He just sat there quietly. He didn't run around, and he didn't cry or throw a tantrum. He was just a small boy with a profound stillness in his eyes that didn't match his age. Meeting Willow and Leo's gazes, he looked entirely peaceful, yet so incredibly lonely.

Even though they had mentally prepared themselves, seeing him like this still hit Willow and Leo like a punch to the gut, making them draw in sharp, collective breaths.