Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Rose stood behind Silas, her heart initially unsettled. Her lips were pressed thinly together.

However, she nearly broke into a smile after hearing Silas' remark.

Silas possessed a formidable ability to dismantle a convict in court and ruthlessly exploit someone's vulnerabilities with his words.

"Nonsense! I've never had my face done!" Lydia retorted, hastily covering her stiffened face, a mix of shame, anger, and guilt consuming her.

Silas shook his head. "It's not your fault for aging, but it's not right to run around scaring people off with that face either."

Lydia seethed with outrage, feeling her blood boil at his audacity.

"Who are you to Rose?" Jamie interjected, clinging to her mother and demanding an answer.

"Who am I to Rose?" Silas mused, touching the inside of his cheek with his tongue before turning to Rose with a serious expression. "Ms. Emerson, she wants to know my role in your life."

Rose met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.

I'll take the liberty of calling myself your boyfriend," Silas announced with a wide smile, a gentle glint in his

Lydia's and Jamie's jaws

this sophisticated

flushed instantly. She looked down shyly,

he reached for her cold hand, intertwining his fingers

wanted to witness the extent of your cruelty and shamelessness. I wanted

you didn't disappoint me. It's truly eye-opening to see both

Rosie?

eyes, feeling a warmth spreading in

Emersons. I don't think this has anything to do

problems mine as well.." Silas rubbed his cheeks, his gaze sharp enough to deter anyone from meeting

has never spoken an

more. "She's the illegitimate offspring of the Emersons. Her mother seduced my father

mother brought her to us for protection. We embraced her as family, but Rose, despite our kindness, turned