Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 12

The two of them walked side by side toward the office building, neither saying another word.

The man’s imposing presence made Silvia feel the pressure mounting with each step. All she wanted was to get back to the company, to the comfort of routine.

When they reached the entrance, Silvia managed a polite smile. “Thank you.”

“It’s been raining a lot lately. You should probably keep an umbrella with you. Not every day will be this lucky.” His tone was calm, but his eyes were cold as he looked at her, fingers still resting on the umbrella handle.

Silvia felt that chill wrap around her, his words heavy with implication. He didn’t just mean the weather—he was reminding her that you couldn’t count on the kindness of strangers every time.

Before Silvia could respond, Kent turned and strode off into the rain. His tall figure faded quickly into the misty night, leaving Silvia standing alone. Only once he’d disappeared did she look down at her phone.

It was already 8:30 p.m.

No matter how late it was, she had to finish this proposal tonight. It was due to Shipley by tomorrow afternoon.

When Silvia returned to the company, nearly everyone had already gone home for the night. Only the office of the executive assistant still glowed with the warm light of a desk lamp.

Through the frosted glass, Silvia glimpsed two silhouettes inside. So, her guess had been right—Shipley and Vianne were catching up.

“Shipley, thank you for the coffee,” Vianne’s gentle, sweet voice drifted out, her laugh ringing with that effortless charm—the kind that made men melt, the kind Silvia could never imitate.

“Sorry to make you work late on your first day,” Shipley replied, picking up his jacket from the back of the chair. “Work is important, but so is your health. It’s late autumn now—take care, don’t catch a cold.”

“Thank you, Shipley. You’re always so thoughtful.”

Vianne’s soft laughter sliced through Silvia, sharp as a blade, but there was no pain left. The hurt had long since burned out.

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