The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 103: Silas's Confession ~ Soraya ~ "Silas? It's me, Lyra. I've been ringing your doorbell forever. Open up," Lyra said, pressing the doorbell for the tenth time. Silas lived in one of those high-end penthouses. He called it his bachelor pad. Although Soraya knew which residence building he lived in, she had never been inside his home. Lyra, however, had always connected with Silas over the years and had since been in his penthouse three times. "Is Soraya with you?" Silas suddenly spoke through the door intercom, which prompted Soraya to stick like glue to the nearest column.

"Soraya? No, why? She didn't show up for our meeting and told me you both argued, so | came over." Lyra lied, but then again, that was the plan. It took a while, but eventually Silas opened the door. From where Soraya hid, she overheard Lyra say, "God, you look like shit." "Close the door behind you," Silas said. Silas seemed to have walked in before Lyra, so Soraya knew it was her cue. "Okay," Lyra said, holding the door and making sure it remained open. Soraya rushed in, and just as she stepped inside, Silas turned around and met her gaze. "Fuck," he hissed. "Lyra!

Behind Soraya, Lyra pointed to Silas. "You both need to talk. You both will thank me later." ---- Lyra then quickly slammed the door shut. "Fuck." Silas let out a sigh, his head shaking. "I can't, Soraya. | can't talk right now." "Silas, | just want to explain my side," Soraya said. Looking at her friend, Soraya noted how Lyra's words were true. Silas looked like a mess. His hair was disheveled, his eyes looked worn out-not puffed, but a bit red-and it looked like he hadn't bathed. A mild scent of alcohol lingered around him. "Have you-have you been drinking?" she asked, frowning.

"Yeah, | have been drinking, and it's because of you," he said, laughing. He gave her his back and walked toward his minibar, pouring himself another glass of whiskey. "Did you even eat?" Soraya asked, but Silas said nothing. Soraya glanced around and noticed dirty plates scattered in the kitchen sink. He had clearly eaten, but the stains suggested it had been hours ago. "Let me cook you something," she offered. He didn't reply. Silas just kept drinking. There wasn't much to work with in his fridge. He had a cabbage and a carrot, a few slices of ham, and an egg.

She did find a pack of noodles, so she worked with that. In half an hour, Soraya whipped up an improvised ramen. She offered it to Silas at the mini bar while she pulled out a stool to sit in front of him. Silas didn't look at her. He didn't move either. But soon, he pulled the bowl of noodles closer to him and began eating. ---- There was silence between them for a good five minutes. Soraya simply let Silas eat. When Silas was almost done with the noodles, he started talking. "| get it. | may seem like that guy who always jokes around, but Soraya...

when | said | loved you, | meant it." "| have been in love with you since we started working on NeuroSentinel together, but | held back because | knew you were madly in love with that fucking asshole, Calum." "| dated countless women to try to forget you." "When you left Aegis, | thought maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Maybe | was meant to forget all about you, but then you came back, stirring all those feelings | had for you before, only for you to fall for another man?" "Worse!" Silas added. "Jacob fucking Steel? How am!

supposed to compete with that?" "Since you got back, I've been working my ass off, hoping | could be on the same level as you are or be that man you would fall in love with, but no, you had to choose someone fucking richer than Calum." Tears brimmed in his eyes. He wiped them carelessly, muttering, "Fuck. I'm a mess, | know. That's why | didn't want to see you." The confession took Soraya aback. She supposed she had always had an idea, but at times, Silas would say it so casually she never truly thought he was serious about it. Moreover, he did have a history of being a serial dater.

But now, what was this? He claimed to have dated all those women in an attempt to forget her. Now, a part of Soraya regretted finding Silas, because she did not know how to handle the situation. ---- His words repeated themselves in her mind. 'I love you... 'I've been trying to forget you.' Her chest tightened, hurt for her friend, and was afraid of losing him. Questions began forming in her head. 'Will things change between us?' 'How can | make this work?' Soraya closed her eyes and pressed her hands against her legs.

She counted, using numbers to calm herself, while her mind went over everything he had said. She thought of all the possible outcomes and what she should do next. Being an Aspie, this was how she dealt with strong feelings-analyzing and planning, the way she always did. A tear rolled down Soraya's face. She looked at Silas and said, " I'm sorry, Silas. | never realized you felt so deeply for me." She slowly reached for his hand and held it gently. "Silas, | value you, and our friendship more than | can say. You will always have a special place in my heart.

| want you to know that, even if it's hard to hear... | couldn't help falling for Jacob." "It was unexpected," Soraya admitted softly. "But in a way, it feels like the answer to my every cry, every doubt I've ever thrown at the heavens-why things with Calum never worked, why I never fit where | thought | should. With Jacob... it finally makes sense." Soraya began telling Silas everything, how she met Jacob's daughter and ended up helping Angela. "It's still new. I'm still scared, but I'm optimistic about this." Again, there was a moment of silence. ---- Silas let out a heavy sigh.

He hung his head low, his fingers grabbing his golden hair. From where Soraya sat, she saw clearly how tears fell into the noodle bowl. The sight crushed her heart once more. She walked around the mini bar and hugged Silas from behind. She begged, " Please, Silas. Please." They both stayed in that same state for minutes. Soraya did not know for how long, but eventually Silas straightened his back. He put his arm around Soraya and hugged her tightly. After pecking her head, he said, "I'll be fine. | just need time, Soraya." "Silas-" "I'll be fine," he repeated.

He was calmer this time, his voice soft. "Do you still need to return to Belridge?" Soraya nodded. "Then, you should go. It's already seven. Is Angela waiting for you?" Silas asked. "Yes, but | told her | would be coming home late," she replied. "Id like to meet her," he said. "Sure," Soraya smiled. "I'll arrange it." "Go," he insisted. "Tell Lyra to accompany me when you see her downstairs, or wherever she's waiting." "Are you sure you're okay?" Soraya asked. "l''m an adult. | think | can handle a heartbreak," Silas said, smirking this time.

He may have forced a smile, but Soraya saw only sadness in his eyes. That night, Soraya left Silas' apartment with worry still tugging at her heart, yet hope quietly steadied her steps. She looked to the heavens, believing their friendship would find a way to ---- endure.