Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 52

Kent lowered his head just a little, leaning closer.

“You’re so good to me, Mr. Parsons.”

He caught her murmured words, and something flickered in his eyes—a look that was hard to decipher.

A breeze drifted by, making Silvia shiver. She burrowed into Kent’s arms, giggling. “Mr. Parsons, you’re so warm.”

Warm?

Kent gave a soft, amused snort.

His tone was casual as he said, “Stop spending time with people who don’t care about you, and you’ll find the world is a much warmer place.”

Silvia was tipsy—so far gone, in fact, that she hardly processed a word he said. All she knew was the comfort of holding on to Kent, clinging to him, pressing her face against his chest.

He scooped her up and carried her to the car, buckling her in. As soon as the engine started, a small hand reached over and tugged at his sleeve.

She tilted her head, cheeks flushed, her features soft and beautiful.

Still holding on to his jacket, she whispered, voice a little hoarse, “Mr. Parsons, drive slow, okay? We don’t have to rush home.”

If he drove too fast, she’d get sick.

Kent glanced down at her hand—she was still gripping his jacket, refusing to let go.

He didn’t say anything, just quietly slowed the car to a crawl.

After they parked, Kent kept Silvia in his arms. She slept soundly against his shoulder, peaceful as a child.

Dawn was breaking; it was nearly six. In the elevator, an elderly woman, out for her morning walk, stepped in beside them.

She looked them up and down, eyes full of gentle amusement and warm wishes.

“I’ve seen you two coming and going together for a while now,” she said, smiling knowingly. “I just knew you’d end up together.”

Kent gave a polite nod, lips pressed in a thin line, not bothering to explain.

He exhaled slowly, his voice low and unyielding, tinged with something possessive. “Silvia, look at me. Do you see who I am?”

Silvia played along, blinking up at him, wide-eyed.

She tugged him toward her.

Kent lost his balance for a second, and together they toppled onto the bed, nearly tangled in each other.

They were so close, their breaths mingling in the quiet. Silvia traced his features with her eyes, studying every detail.

After a moment, she smiled, lifting her chin with a hint of pride. “You’re Kent.”

Kent’s eyes narrowed slightly. He brushed his fingers through the hair at her temple, tucking a few strands behind her ear.

She tilted her head, resting it on his hand, and drifted back into sleep.

His voice was soft, laced with something intimate as he whispered, “Remember, you’re the one who asked me to stay.”