Chapter 2

The next morning, Ivy was up before me.

When I opened the door, Silas was crouched in front of her.

"Ivy, I'm your dad. Not sir." He reached out to touch her face, stiff and careful.

Ivy flinched away, a little scared, and ran into my arms.

"Ivy, he's your dad." I stroked her hair.

Ivy reluctantly mumbled, "Dad."

Silas's eyes went red instantly.

But from that day on, we were more like strangers living under the same roof.

I figured out his routine and made a point of staying in the bedroom every morning until he left for his run.

I didn't want to see him. Even breathing the same air in the same house made me feel like I was suffocating.

Today I overslept.

When I came out of the bedroom, Silas was sitting at the kitchen island, feeding Ivy cereal one spoonful at a time. Sunlight fell across his broad shoulders.

He looked up at me and spoke as naturally as if we were a happily married couple. "Have some breakfast."

"No thanks, I'm running late." I grabbed my car keys off the console by the door and headed out.

The nanny came out of the kitchen just then, ready to take Ivy to preschool.

But Silas suddenly stood, crossed the room in a few long strides, grabbed his own keys off the console, and planted himself in front of the door. "I'll drive you."

"No thanks." I sidestepped him, ducked into the elevator, and jabbed the close button over and over.

That night, I came home late from work, walking softly.

The living room lights were off. I thought he was asleep.

I'd just reached the hallway when a voice came from the couch. "Vera."

I stopped.

"Why are you so late?" He walked up to me, his big frame blocking the light.

"Working late." I avoided his eyes.

"I bought tickets for Disney tomorrow morning. Ivy said she wants to ride the Ferris wheel." He looked down at me, his voice softer now, almost testing the waters. "Come with us."

For my daughter's sake, I nodded. "Okay."

The next day, as we headed out, Silas swept Ivy up in one arm, and with his other hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, forced his fingers through mine.

Goosebumps broke out all over me. I tried desperately to pull away, but he only held on tighter.

"Don't. I've got you."

Right then, his phone rang.

He was holding Ivy with one arm, so he nodded at me to answer it.

I pulled out the phone and saw the name on the screen: Cecilia.

"It's her." I held the phone and didn't move.

Silas glanced at the screen. His face changed instantly. He set Ivy down on the ground and took the call.

I don't know what she said, but he answered fast. "I'll be right there."

He hung up and looked at me. "Cecilia's daughter has a high fever. You two go on to the park."

"No problem. Go." I took Ivy's hand, as calm as if I were listening to some meaningless announcement.

Silas visibly relaxed. He nodded, turned, and strode off into the traffic.

He didn't show up all day.

It was late at night, while I was sitting in the kitchen having a glass of water, when I heard the door.

He walked in, exhausted, and came straight over to me. "Vera, I'm only taking care of them because it was Nate's dying wish. Don't be jealous."

I gave a little laugh. "Silas, you're overthinking it. I'm not jealous. I'm not angry."

He froze, his brows pulling tight. "You're serious?"

"Serious." I set down my glass and got up to go to my room.

He caught my arm, his voice turning impatient. "Why aren't you angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" I looked at him like he was a stranger.

He stared hard at me. The look in his eyes went from confusion to irritation.

"It's late. You should get some rest."

I shook his hand off.