Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 264

But as soon as he met the deep, dark gaze in her eyes, he suddenly understood. “Of course not. Your problems are my problems too, Silvia. Don’t be so distant—we’re family.”

Kent couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that, even now, she still hadn’t fully accepted that they were truly family.

He let out a quiet sigh.

Silvia had been preoccupied with so many things lately. Hearing his sigh jolted her back to the moment. She looked at him apologetically, then after a pause, said, “Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want to distract you from your work.”

Kent was at the helm of the entire Parsons Group and was always busy. Silvia hated to see him run himself ragged because of her.

At her words, a faint, teasing smile tugged at the corners of Kent’s mouth. There was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “So, Silvia, are you saying you’re worried about me now?”

“Yes.”

Silvia answered plainly, not even trying to deny it.

It was just a single, simple word, but to Kent, it was more touching than any long confession.

Later that night, after they had both gone to bed, Kent’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. He glanced at the screen, and upon seeing the caller ID, his brow furrowed.

He shot a cautious look at Silvia to make sure she was still asleep, then slipped out of bed and quietly padded to the living room, phone in hand.

“What is it?” His tone was cool and measured.

His assistant knew better than to call him in the middle of the night unless it was urgent. So if he was calling now, it had to be serious.

“Shipley’s trying to leak Mrs. Parsons’ photos online—but our people caught wind of it and stopped it in time. Nothing’s been released.” The assistant’s voice was icy, contempt for Shipley dripping from every word.

A grown man stooping so low just to humiliate a woman—it was disgusting.

Kent’s voice turned even colder. “They’re not Silvia’s photos. They’re doctored images—be careful how you phrase it.”

Kent had tolerated him more than once, but it was clear Shipley never appreciated it. So why bother saving face for him any longer?

Back to New York? Fine by him.

He had unfinished business with Shipley anyway. This time, he’d settle all of it at once.

“What did Shipley do?”

Suddenly, Silvia’s voice sounded behind him, still soft and a little hazy from sleep.

She looked at Kent, her heart tightening in her chest, fear creeping in at the thought that man still refused to leave her in peace.

Kent hadn’t expected her to wake up again. He turned, his gaze darkening slightly as he took in the sight of Silvia in her thin nightdress. Silently, he walked over and gently led her back to their room.

He smoothed her tousled hair and looked down at her, voice gentle but firm. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”