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Allison was taken aback, but she managed to keep her surprise from showing on her face.

‘He already knows?’ she thought, her heartbeat quickening.

Yet Silas’s expression remained gentle. His thumb brushed tenderly across her cheek as he continued,

“Even if you have your own reasons for marrying me, I don’t mind. You can use me if you need to. I’ll do anything for you.” He gently brushed her cheek with his thumb, his eyes warm as he drew her closer. “All I want is for you to stay by my side and be happy. That’s all that matters to me. Hmm?”

He drew her closer, his voice softening further as he looked at her with a tenderness that made her chest tighten.

Just then, Melvin returned with a green velvet box in his hand.

“This is for you,” he announced, approaching Allison as he opened the box.

Inside lay a diamond bracelet that sparkled beneath the light. He held it out to her, his expression warm.

Allison stared at the jewelry in surprise before lifting her gaze to him. “Mr. Black, is this for me?”

Melvin nodded, his eyes resting fondly on the bracelet.

“It belonged to Silas’s mother. Before she died, she left it behind.” He paused, a nostalgic smile touching his lips. “Ten years ago, Silas had begged me to give it to him.”

His expression softened as he looked between them.

“Unfortunately, he couldn’t find you back then. He was heartbroken. But now, I’m happy that the two of you have found your way back to each other.”

Allison accepted the bracelet from Melvin, her eyes lingering on the diamonds as his words sank in.

‘I knew he liked me when he confessed his feelings back then. But I had never imagined his love for me ran this deep.’

She had agreed to marry Silas because she needed to escape Justin and protect herself and Shane. She needed Silas’s power and influence to keep them safe. Yet Silas had loved her for all these years, holding on to his feelings even when she was no longer in his life.

The contrast between his devotion and her own reasons for accepting his proposal hurt more than she expected. As she looked at him, her heart sank beneath the weight of her guilt.

Silas noticed her gaze lingering on him. A playful smile curved his lips.

“I know you find me handsome, but you can stare at me all you want after we get home.”

Allison blinked, abruptly realizing she had been staring at him for far too long. Heat crept into her cheeks as she turned toward him.

“Stop. Don’t talk like that in front of your dad.”

Melvin merely grinned, looking thoroughly entertained. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered by their affection.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said cheerfully. “I’m happy just seeing the two of you smile.”

Silas took the bracelet from the velvet box and gently lifted Allison’s wrist. “Here, let me put it on you,” he murmured.

He took her hand and carefully fastened the bracelet around her wrist. The diamonds twinkled against her skin, catching the light as he admired how they looked on her.

They didn’t stay long at the house. As they walked outside and headed toward the car, Allison was about to get inside when Silas caught her hand and gently tugged her back. She turned toward him, and he slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her against his body.

“How about we go meet Shane now?” he suggested. “I know you said we could see him later, but I don’t think he’ll look too kindly on me if he doesn’t hear about our marriage from us first.”

Allison bit her lip, considering his suggestion for a moment. Her hands tightened around his arm before she finally nodded. “All right. Let’s go.”

His face brightened with a smile, clearly pleased by her agreement.

“Shane is very protective of me,” she warned him. “If he gets angry or says something unpleasant, don’t take it personally.”