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“Are you sure you want to do this? Have you really thought it through?” he asked, his expression serious.

Allison smiled and rose to her feet. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

“I told you, I’m doing this because I want to. I promise.”

She pulled back just enough to look at him, then glanced at Silas. Her voice softened as she continued, “He’s sincere about me, and he likes me. I want to marry him.”

Silas’s face brightened at her words, a smile spreading across his lips.

Shane let out a long sigh, looking between the two of them before finally giving in.

“Fine. If you know what you’re doing, then I agree.”

With Shane’s approval, they left the diner and headed straight to the courthouse. Frank had already taken care of the arrangements, so there was little left for them to do. They walked in, signed the necessary documents, and posed for a photograph to complete the process. Less than an hour later, Allison and Silas were legally married.

When they finally stepped outside the courthouse, Allison glanced at Silas, still trying to wrap her head around how quickly everything had happened. One moment, she had been sitting in a diner, and now she was walking out of a courthouse as Mrs. Black.

Silas, however, seemed entirely unfazed. He guided her toward the waiting car, one hand resting briefly against the small of her back.

Allison settled into her seat. Before she could say anything, Silas reached for the glove compartment and opened it. He took out a small ring box and turned toward her.

The moment he opened it, Allison’s eyes widened.

Inside lay a ring with a platinum band and a large, teardrop-shaped diamond. Silas took it out and slid it onto her finger. The diamond caught the light, sparkling brilliantly against her skin. For several seconds, she could do nothing but stare at it, captivated by its beauty.

Finally, she lifted her eyes to him, her astonishment plain on her face.

“When did you buy this?”

“Ten years ago,” he replied. “When I confessed my feelings to you for the first time.”

Allison stared at him in disbelief. “What if I had never come back? What if I had never said yes to you?”

Silas leaned toward her, closing the distance between them. His dark gaze held hers, and the faint smile playing on his lips gave him an almost dangerously confident look. Allison found herself momentarily breathless beneath his attention.

“I’m persistent and patient when it comes to you, Allison,” he answered. “I would have kept trying to convince you until you accepted me.”

His answer brought a smile to her lips, and her heart settled into a soft, steady beat that sent a quiet shiver through her.

Then Silas abruptly pulled away.

For a moment, Allison had thought he was going to kiss her. When he retreated instead, she blinked, suddenly realizing just how intensely she had been hoping for it. Pressing her lips together, she turned her head toward the window, trying to conceal her reaction. Her heart continued to pound as she drew a quiet breath.

Silas started the car and drove away.

When they finally stopped, Allison looked outside and realized they were in front of an unfamiliar house.

“Where are we?” Allison asked, glancing at Silas as he stepped out of the car.

He walked around to her side and opened the door for her. Then, extending his hand toward her, he answered casually, “My house.”

Allison stared at him in shock. She made no attempt to take his hand, still trying to understand why he had brought her here.

“What are we doing at your house?”

Silas looked at her as though the answer should have been obvious. “Have you forgotten that you’re now Mrs. Black?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” she replied, frowning slightly. “But all my things are still at my house. I need to pack and arrange everything before I can bring them here.”