Year Five: The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 96

Vianne stared at Shipley, unblinking, searching his face. She could sense a subtle shift in him—something had changed, however faintly. But the difference was so slight that she couldn’t pin it down.

It seemed Silvia’s engagement had rattled Shipley after all.

Well, that made sense.

Given time, she was sure Shipley would let go of Silvia completely.

Lifting her chin, Vianne pressed her lips to Shipley’s—eager, bold, taking the initiative.

He didn’t pull away. Instead, his arms circled her waist, pulling her close, his voice thick with longing. “Sweet Silvia, I’ll treat you right.”

Her heart clenched.

There it was again.

Vianne was growing numb to it. Somewhere along the line, whenever Shipley was with her, he started whispering Silvia’s name instead.

But she was the one here, not Silvia.

Why was Shipley still so hung up on Silvia, even after she got engaged? It wasn’t fair. Why did Silvia always get to take everything?

Vianne was tired of being a substitute. Again and again, she corrected him, quietly reminding Shipley of her own name.

“Shipley, I’m Vianne. Silvia—she’s engaged now, she’s not coming back. Let’s stop thinking about her, okay? I care about you.”

At her words, Shipley seemed to snap out of it, clarity returning to his gaze. His eyes, always soft and charming, brimmed with a mix of desire and unexpected tenderness.

“Vianne, you’re so good to me.”

“That’s all I want,” Vianne replied, forcing a smile. She lowered her eyes, long lashes fluttering to hide her true feelings.

She knew Shipley too well.

He still wasn’t over Silvia.

***

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