Chapter 9 – A Kiss For A Lie
Jasmine’s Pov
I sat up straighter as Rose’s voice softened, eyes distant.
“Silas was in love once… two years ago,” she began, fingers folding over the hem of her blanket. “Her name was Amber. She was everything he wanted. Blonde. Smart. Pretty. And she made him
feel alive.”
I swallowed hard, listening.
“I never liked her,” Rose admitted, glancing at me. “But Silas didn’t care. He protected her, lovec her like she was the only woman on earth. He went against me for her. A lot.”
I gave her a small nod to continue.
“Then she got pregnant. Silas was overjoyed. He wanted to marry her right after the baby came. But she refused. Said she wasn’t ready.”
“That’s odd,” I muttered, “Who wouldn’t want to marry him?”
Rose sighed. “He didn’t ask questions. He trusted her. Took care of her. Took care of the baby Raised that child like his own for two years.”
My heart tightened. “Two years?”
She nodded. “Then came the betrayal.”
I looked at her, barely breathing.
“He caught her cheating… with Jamie. Silas’s rival. Someone he despises with every bone in his body. That wasn’t the worst part.”
I braced myself.
“The child… wasn’t his.”
“What?” I gasped.
Rose gave a sad smile. “Yes. Jamie’s. She let him raise another man’s child, Jasmine. Lied to his face every single day.”
I covered my mouth. “That’s… awful.”
“She didn’t stop there. She was embezzling from his company. Billions of dollars. She would’ve sent him to prison if he hadn’t caught her.”
My hands clenched in my lap.
“And then she disappeared. Took the child. Took Jamie. They vanished.”
I could barely process it. My heart ached for him.
‘He searched everywhere. Day and night. Couldn’t find them. It broke him. Since then, Silas has efused to open his heart to anyone else.”
wiped away tears. “He doesn’t deserve that. No one does.”
Rose looked at me carefully. “You’ve been hurt too, haven’t you?”
nodded slowly. “Yes… my ex–husband… Henry. He nearly ruined me.”
5:16 pm P35
She smiled gently. “Then maybe… you and Silas have more in common than you think.”
I didn’t reply.
Then she took a deep breath and said, “I know he doesn’t love you yet.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“He’s marrying you for me. Because I’m sick. He thinks this will make me happy.”
“That’s not true-” I started, but she suddenly clutched her chest.
“Mother?”
Her head tilted slightly, her eyes fluttering.
“Mother!” I screamed, rushing to her.
The door flew open. Silas ran in.
“What happened?” he barked.
“She… she just collapsed,” I stammered.
He called out for help. Doctors flooded in. We were pushed out into the hallway.
Silas turned to me. “What happened in there?”
“She told me about your ex. About Amber. Then she said she knew you didn’t love me and you were marrying me for her sake. I tried to say something but then she just… collapsed.”
He exhaled, hands on his waist. “We have to do better.”
“What?” I asked.
He looked at me with tight eyes. “If we’re going to keep up this story, we need to sell it. My mom needs to believe in us. We can’t slip.”
I nodded quietly.
We waited in silence. He kept pacing. He looked so worried.
Then the doctor came out. “She’s stable. Just another episode. You can go in.
When we entered, Rose opened her eyes and smiled weakly.
“I’m fine,” she whispered. “But I want one thing.”
“What is it?” Silas asked, going to her side.
“I want you two to get married today.”
“Whata
we said in unison.
“I want to come home with you both. I want to see my grandchildren before I die. Jasmine will take care of me.”
My heart slammed against my ribs. “Move in? With us?”
“That wasn’t the plan, we’re not supposed to get married now.” Silas said quickly.
Rose’s voice cracked. “Please… I don’t have much time left. Let me spend my last days with my
son and daughter–in–law.”
I looked away, cheeks burning.
She narrowed her eyes. “Come to think of it… I haven’t seen you two kiss.”
5:16 pm
Silas blinked. “Mother-”
“You’re supposed to be engaged. You don’t even hold hands. No pet names. No affection. Do you even like each other?”
I froze.
Before I could say anything, I felt an arm slip around my waist.
Silas pulled me close.
“What are you-”
And then he kissed me.
Right in front of his mother.
His lips were soft, warm, lingering just long enough to blur the line between fake and real.
My mind blanked out.
When he pulled back, his hand still around my waist, my breath caught in my throat.
Rose was smiling. “Now that’s better. Finally, I see some love in this room.”
But all I could feel was confusion, heat in my cheeks, and something twisting in my chest.
Because that kiss felt too real.
5:16 pm 25
