Chapter 13. Hearts Alight

As the day wore on and we bid farewell to Silas' family, I couldn't help but notice the toll it had taken on him. I observed the shift in his mood, the once outgoing and extroverted man now retreating into an introverted shell. The weight of the charade we had maintained all day seemed to have sapped his energy and left him emotionally drained.

After some time had passed, we sought refuge on the private balcony of the resort's night bar, seeking solace and release from the stress and tension that had accumulated throughout the day.

"How was the call? I did my best not to disappoint your family today," I asked gently, trying to gauge how he was feeling.

Silas sank into a couch, his gaze distant and troubled. He took a sip from his drink and let out a deep sigh – the first time I had witnessed him sigh with such heaviness since we were with his family. It was a stark contrast to how he had maintained a composed facade in front of them.