Can’t Win Me Back

Silas tightened his arms around her as he spoke as if fearing she might escape him.

A warm blush crept up Rose’s chest, a pleasant tingle settling in her heart. Her voice dipped to a playful whisper, more of a tease than a scold. “Well, at least you know you’re being sneaky.”

“Rosie.” Silas couldn’t tear his gaze away. A captivating blush painted Rose’s pale face as he murmured, “Well, you’re just as cunning. You’re the sneak who’s stolen my heart.”

Rose found herself at a loss for words.

She remembered listening to Alyssa chatter about her family and Silas. He had such a handsome face. Yet, he was so dense and cheesy that it raised concerns for him.

It seemed Alyssa was right.

Silas noticed her sudden silence and fell into a surge of panic. He turned her to face him. “Are you still upset with me?”

“Silas Taylor.”

at the sound of

Unconsciously, he swallowed hard.

an illegitimate daughter of the Emerson family. I am a disgrace. Even the Emersons would come to me and cause trouble. I have no peace. I don’t deserve you. It’ll only be harder for you if you stay by

a piece of her heart away with each word

continued, “There are plenty of reasons why you might feel this way about me, and perhaps one of

you’ll see what I see—love is fleeting and nothing but trouble. You come from a good place, and even if you don’t need someone of equal standing, you deserve a well-

life… it’s forever marked. Today was just a glimpse, a mere whisper of the

renowned designer, Rose harbored a wellspring of bitterness and insecurity. Her extravagant creations were

without roots. She could never bring

she wasn’t blind to Silas’ good qualities or the depth of his love, a relentless sense of unworthiness gnawed

a future where Silas’ feelings waned or a future where their love faced an insurmountable

avoid the inevitable heartbreak, she would rather not

about your background for quite some

what, Rose? It doesn’t change a thing. I see you, all of you. And I still