The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 234: Pretend ~Lyra~ When Silas asked her about having a crush on him in college, Lyra flushed. She shot back, because why the hell not? "Answer me first." Silas laughed at her reaction. He was so amused, his dimples deepened. Lyra didn't know why. She had seen his laugh before, and those dimples, but why did they look more appealing now? Was it her eyes? Or did Silas evolve into a more handsome man overnight? Lyra couldn't put a finger on it. "Yes, | had a crush on you in college. You and Landon used to hang out here at the house, and | noticed you in school.

So, what?" Lyra admitted, but as she said that, her heart raced. "Was that before or after you and Troy broke up?" Silas asked. Lyra blinked. "Before." Assmirk formed on Silas's face. He leaned closer and suggested, "So, mentally, you also cheated on Troy." Lyra, Silas laughed again. He was at it so hard that Lyra smacked his arm. "We need to be serious about this, Silas. This has gotten out of hand," Lyra said. "Why did you let my parents assume we were dating?" "So, how did you want me to answer your brother's question of why | was kissing his younger sister?" Silas asked.

"Besides, it didn't just reach your brother's ears. | think the whole alumni saw it. After Landon posted it online, our hot makeout ---- session was shared with the entire alumni group chat." Lyra's eyes widened. She grabbed her phone and checked online. True enough, everyone in their college circle was talking about it. [No wonder Lyra and Silas are so close.] [They look cute together.] [Yes, they look so comfortable together!] At the top of the comment section, Lyra saw Soraya remark: [Lyra and Silas are perfect for each other.

I'm a witness to all their lovely moments.] "Seriously, Soraya!" Lyra grumbled. Then, the irritating part. Sabina left a comment: [They are just faking it. They have to be. They are just friends. Silas Ward dated models and socialites. He would never date someone like Lyra.] Lyra scrolled down further and, shockingly, Silas had replied to Sabina. Silas said: [Lyra is the best woman | know. She's my anchor, one of the very few people who understands me better than | understand myself. She's brilliant, beautiful, talented, and the only person | trust never to betray me. | love her.

And between Lyra and any so-called 'supermodel' or 'socialite, I'd choose her a thousand times over] She paused, rereading Silas's response to Sabina. 'The hell' she mused. 'That actually touched me!' Her heart felt warm and syrupy inside her chest. She never expected Silas to back her up in the way he did. Lyra smiled at Silas, her face feeling a little warm. "Thank you, Silas. That was sweet of you." ---- Silas nodded, his dimples flashing again. "You're welcome, but | didn't just say that to save your face. | said it because it's true. | have dated a lot of women, and you know that.

You're far better than any of those | went out with." "And Soraya," Lyra pointed out. "Of course. You and Soraya are far better than the women | dated in the past," Silas confirmed. Lyra sat on her bed, thinking. "What do we do now?" Silas then lay on her bed like it was his. He turned to her, suggesting, "Maybe we should try-" "| know," Lyra said, cutting him off. "With our families, we should just tell them the truth, that we're not dating. And with our college friends... we can pretend to date for a while." Silas hissed. He rested his head on his arm. "I don't know, Lyra.

You should've seen the look on my parents' faces when they thought we were dating. They looked like they'd already won the lottery." "But we can't lie," Lyra insisted. Silas gulped. He said softly, "Maybe we don't have to." Lyra paused, her brows meeting. "What do you mean?" Before Silas could answer, her mother knocked on the door. " Silas, Lyra, do you want us to leave so you can have the house all to yourselves?" "What? No!" Lyra rushed to the door and swung it open. "Guys, I need to tell you someth-" The words died in her throat. Her entire family stood there at her door.

Landon, her mom, and her dad. ---- She saw the hope shimmering in their eyes, the smiles on their faces, and the contentment. Her mother looked like she' d been waiting for this moment her whole life! Lyra knew she couldn't break it to them. So, in the end, she swallowed the truth and said, "Guys, | just wanted to say that Silas and |-" She bit her lip, thinking again. Then, with a shaky breath, she surrendered. "Silas and | are...

still new at this relationship thing." Lyra turned to her best friend and said, "Right, Silas?" "Yes, absolutely," Silas said, getting off her bed and putting an arm around Lyra. "But we will give it our all." Lyra, "..." "Yeah. Yeah, we'll give it our all," Lyra said, smiling. "We support you!" Landon said. Tears gathered in Melanie's eyes. She put her hands together and declared, "Silas, let's call your parents for a picnic. This calls for a celebration!" The next day, Silas's parents came to their house for lunch. The Hayeses set up a long table in their backyard.

They also invited Soraya and Jacob, and the two brought the kids along. Silas' parents, Daniel and Evelyn, eagerly chatted with Lyra's family. They had already known each other since Lyra's college days. Their families were close. As the two families chatted, they brought Aiden and Angela to their table. Then, the group of adults became engrossed in a conversation that led to enthusiastic laughter. Landon was clapping his hands and occasionally giving a thumbs-up. From the patio, Soraya was putting Sawyer to sleep. Jacob ---- sat beside her.

"What do you think our parents are talking about?" Silas asked, glancing at Lyra. "They look very happy." While Lyra only shrugged, Soraya suggested, "I think they're already planning your wedding. Pfft! Haha!" "Haha!" Lyra said, rolling her eyes. "Very funny." "Hey, Mom, Dad? What are you guys talking about? You seem very invested," Silas finally asked. "Oh, Silas,' Evelyn Ward said with a big grin. She was holding Aiden. "We already guessed you and Lyra will have five kids, and we've named them all!" Melanie Hayes: "Lysandra, Lyson..." Daniel Ward: "Cyrus, Sia, and Soren." Lyra, "..

Silas, ".. "Hahaha!" Soraya laughed her heart out. Jacob Steel, the serious, stoic Jacob, burst out chuckling. " Easy now, Lyra, Silas. You might end up having more kids than we. Later, the twins fell asleep. Lyra offered her room for the babies. As Soraya settled Aiden and Sawyer, she said, "You know, you and Silas should just date for real." Of course, being her other best friend, Soraya knew this was all an act, all thanks to the kiss she and Silas shared during the reunion. "Are you kidding me? What if Silas still has feelings for you?" Lyra pointed out.

"Is that what's holding you back?" Soraya asked. "We both ---- know he's long over me. He and Jacob are getting along really well." "No, that's not what's holding me back. It's just... | don't know if it's right," Lyra said. "We've been friends for such a long time." Soraya smiled. "They say the sweetest love stories are the ones that begin with friendship... because the heart falls only after it feels safe." "Wow, when did you become a love expert?" Lyra laughed, and Soraya did too. "Think about it," Soraya said, winking at her.