Chapter 7 - Sadie Learned the Real Reason Silas Had Stayed Away From Her
Silas gave up his criminal empire.
The decision made headlines.
People called him a traitor.
A coward.
A hero.
He ignored all of them.
The transition wasn't easy.
He sold businesses.
Closed clubs.
Turned warehouses into legitimate distribution centers.
He hired people legally.
He paid taxes.
He even attended meetings where nobody carried guns.
Gideon hated it.
Silas secretly loved it.
Sadie, meanwhile, began planning her bakery.
Lemon & Honey.
Silas rented a small storefront for her.
She found out two days later.
She was furious.
“You bought my building?”
“No.”
“You did.”
“I purchased the property.”
“That means bought.”
“I put it in your name.”
She stared.
“I don't want gifts.”
“It's not a gift.”
“What is it?”
“A place to build your dream.”
She softened.
Then she kissed him.
The bakery opened six months later.
Yellow walls.
Wooden tables.
Fresh bread.
Lemon cake.
Honey rolls.
And one framed photograph behind the counter.
Silas and Sadie.
On their first night together.
Things were finally peaceful.
Too peaceful.
One afternoon, Sadie received a letter.
Her mother's handwriting.
Impossible.
Her mother was dead.
Sadie opened it.
Inside was a single sentence.
Your mother did not die in an accident.
Her hands shook.
She confronted Silas.
He went pale.
“You knew?”
“Not everything.”
“Tell me.”
He did.
Sadie's mother had been investigating Victor Hale.
She had discovered financial records connecting him to murders.
She had tried to expose him.
The car accident had been staged.
Sadie's father had helped hide the truth.
Sadie felt betrayed.
“Everyone knew something but me.”
Silas looked at her.
“I found out six months ago.”
“And you said nothing?”
“I wanted to protect you.”
She stepped away.
“You don't get to decide what I can survive.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She cried.
He did not touch her.
He waited.
That night, Sadie discovered something else.
A second letter.
Her mother had known about Silas.
She had written:
If you ever meet Silas Mercer, remember that people are not always the worst thing they have done. Sometimes they are the person they fight hardest to become.
Sadie cried until sunrise.
Then she went to him.
He was sitting alone in the kitchen.
She placed the letter down.
“I hate that you were right.”
Silas looked at her.
“So do I.”
She sat beside him.
“I don't want a perfect man.”
“I know.”
“I want an honest one.”
“I'll try.”
“Don't try.”
She reached for his hand.
“Do it.”
He squeezed her fingers.
“I will.”
Then Gideon appeared.
“Victor is back.”
Silas stood.
The old coldness returned to his face.
Sadie caught his hand.
“Come home.”
Silas looked at her.
May you like
“I will.”
And this time, he meant it.
