Chapter 22
58)
Silas’s POV
Alastair said something, Willow’s eyes brightened and her smile widened.
Silas remembered when Willow used to smile at him like that. It had been a long time ago.
He remembered one evening when he had come home early and brought her a box of her favorite herbal tea. It cost him nothing much. It was the kind she used to drink with her mother before she died. He hadn’t even thought much of it, he had just picked it up absentmindedly.
But the way she had smiled that day, like he had given her the world.
It was that same smile that was now aimed at Alastair.
Silas blinked hard and looked away. But he couldn’t look away for long. He found himself watching again as they exchanged rings. Alastair kissed the back of Willow’s hand, and the guests clapped.
Willow leaned in slightly to whisper something in Alastair’s ear, and they both chuckled.
Silas’s chest burned.
He didn’t know what he had expected. That she would see him and suddenly remember the love they used to have? That she would call the wedding off and come running back?
He had been so stupid.
Now, she was looking at another man this way. He wanted her to look at him that way again.
He watched as the officiant raised his hand and Alastair gently took Willow’s hand in his.
Silas slammed his fists against the glass. “No-!”
No one heard him.
He pounded on the glass again, breathing heavily as his voice cracked. “Willow, please
But he couldn’t stop it.
She said her vows with genuine love shining in her eyes, and Alastair said his own vows with affection gleaming in his eyes. They kissed, and the crowd cheered. Silas watched as the reception started. Music began to play, and Alastair and Willow
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began dancing together slowly. She rested her head on his chest and his arms were wrapped around her protectively.
Silas sat there with bruises on his face, and dried blood all over his clothes.
He lost track of how long he sat there, staring at the reception below him. At some point, the warriors returned. They didn’t say a word, they just dragged him back into the dungeon and locked the door.
Silas didn’t fight.
A few minutes later, the door opened again, and Alastair stepped in slowly with a cold. look on his face. He was no longer putting on his wedding suit, he was dressed more casually now.
Silas looked up at him.
“She’s happy,” Alastair said simply.
“I can see that,” Silas replied, his voice breaking.
“She deserves that happiness,” Alastair continued. “You tried to destroy her. You broke her. You killed your own children for your mistress, and now you want sympathy?” “I didn’t-” Silas’s voice cracked. “I didn’t realize what I had until it was gone.”
Alastair gave a small smile. “Honestly? I’m grateful you didn’t realize it early because it brought the two of us together, and I will keep loving her all the days of my life.” Silas clenched his jaw. “You don’t have to rub it in. I know what I did was wrong.” “Do you?” Alastair asked sharply. “Because I remember what you did the night you believed Ana’s lie.”
Silas blinked slowly.
“Ana told you Willow attacked her. You didn’t even ask questions. You didn’t wait to find out the truth. You just gave the order.”
Silas tensed. He remembered that night. It was the last time he saw Willow, before she left him.
“You told your guards to ‘teach her a lesson,’ and they did,” Alastair said darkly. “I found her in the bathroom, Silas. Do you even know what she looked like when I got there?”
Silas remained silent, but he swallowed.
“She was curled up in a pool of her own blood. She was barely breathing, and her arms. were wrapped around her belly protectively.” Alastair’s jaw clenched. “She had bruises all over her body. Her eyes were swollen shut.”
Silas looked away.
“She was almost dead.” Alastair added quietly. “I rushed her to the clinic myself. I stayed while they tried to stabilize her. I thought she wouldn’t make it.”
“I didn’t know,” Silas whispered hoarsely. “I thought-Ana showed me blood… She cried. I didn’t know-”
“You didn’t care to know,” Alastair snapped. “Because if you had, you would’ve asked questions. You would’ve checked. But you believed the woman you were screwing over the woman you married.”
Alastair turned to the guards standing by the door. “Unchain him. Strip him. And beat him.”
The warriors stepped forward immediately.
Silas’s eyes widened. “Wait-”
Alastair’s voice was like ice as he glared at Silas. “Exactly the way your guards beat Willow.”
“No-”
“Don’t kill him,” Alastair said to the guards. “Just make sure he wishes he was dead.”
Silas’s POV
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Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.
