Page 34 of Bitter Lies

A muscle twitches in Silas’s jaw. He leans back in his chair, his gaze narrowing as he studies me. Like he’s connecting dots he didn’t realize were there.

“When is your birthday?”

“Excuse me?” I choke, surprised by his question. “I think you need to go.”

He grits his teeth, a low snarl rumbling in his chest. “Tell me, when?”

I’m about to tell him to fuck right off when my grandmother does it for me.

“Leave her alone” Her voice is calm, but there’s steel beneath it. “You made your choice.”

They stare at each other. The air thick with tension, but my grandmother doesn’t back down.

“She’s an innocent, and you have no right.” Holding his gaze, she goes on. “I know what you’re thinking. You’re wrong.”

Her expression turns cold. “Let the past stay buried, Silas. Digging up ghosts does none of us any good. Leave it there.”

Then she lowers her voice, a warning laced with every word. “Because if you don’t… you won’t be the only one dealing with the consequences.”

I’ve never seen this side of Grams before. There’s something in her voice, in the way she’s holding his gaze.

A formidable warning not to push this.

All I can do is watch. I didn’t even realize my grandmother knew Silas Doyle. Or that he and my mother were involved.

Nothing about this makes sense.

What the hell is going on?

“You’re right.” Silas’s expression softens, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips. “My apologies.”

Then he shifts the conversation away from the past.

“I’d love to come by and see your new painting soon. Sadly, I need to go. Business calls, and I’m already running late.” His gaze flicks briefly in my direction. “Aiden’s unhappy. Take care, Alma.”

He leans in and kisses her cheek, and she blushes. It’s a sight to see.

And it only makes me more curious about just how well they know each other.

As he stands, his eyes find mine again, and offers his hand.

I take it. A strange familiarity passes between us, and I sense he feels it too.

“It was nice seeing you again. Take care of her.” His grip tightens before he says, “The resemblance to your mother is… striking.”

No longer comfortable, I tug my hand free and place it in my lap. “Thank you, I suppose.”

Reaching into his pocket, he retrieves his phone and grins. “I’m being summoned. Better go before Aiden leaves without me.” And just like that, he walks away.

Once he’s out of earshot, I spin to face my grandmother. “What the hell was that all about, Grams?”

A deep weariness weighs her shoulders down as the corners of her mouth droop. “I warned you about getting involved with him, Sofia. I knew he’d break your heart. Men like him always do.”

I want to throw my hands in the air and scream. But I don’t.

Instead, I cup her hand in mine, my fingers tracing the lines of her palm before giving it a comforting pat. “Let’s go find Marty. I’m ready to get out of here. Still in the mood for gelato?”

That brings a smile to her face. “When am I not in the mood for gelato?”