Page 116 of All Our Secrets

“She really… left you?”

“That was my mom. She left me alone a lot. It didn’t take long to see that she was someone who needed constant attention. She got that from different men.”

“I feel bad for loving your scars now,” I whispered.

Silas sighed. “I wish I had known, baby. I wish I would have known so much sooner.”

“Known what?”

“That I stood a chance with you despite these scars. I’m well aware of how ugly I am, but I should have known—”

“Do you truly think you’re unattractive? How? No, don’t answer that. It will upset me.”

“My right ear is practically gone, baby. A good portion of my head has no hair because of the damage. My face is scarred.”

“It’s barely on your face, and even if it was, you are not ugly. How could you think that? As bad as I don’t want to bring her up, look at Becky. You broke up with her over a year ago, and she’s still trying to be with you. And God forbid all the women before her that I don’t want to know about.”

“I’ve never been insecure about my scars. And don’t compare yourself to Becky or anyone else.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.” He dragged his fingers down my hair. “I’ve never been uncomfortable in my own skin until you.”

“What?” I wished more than anything the light was on so I could see him, but T.J. was asleep in the bassinet beside us.

“I’ve never feared rejection in my life, Peyton. That’s what I’m trying to say. Until you.”

“Silas…”

“The idea of you disliking me because of my scars…” He drifted off.

“I don’t understand. Why would you worry about something like that when I was with Theodore anyway?”

He stiffened. “I think we both know I’ve loved you this entire time, don’t we, baby?”

My heart raced. “No, actually, you ignored me for the better part of five years.”

“Because it hurt, and I feared what I’d do if I let myself get too close.”

“Silas…”

“Shh… Get some sleep before T.J. wakes.”

It took a few minutes for my heart to settle. The second I turned to get comfortable, Silas spooned me. A sense of belonging filled my chest as I lay there in his hold. My eyes caught on a tiny orange glow in the room. It came from the TV stand. My heartachedas soon as I spotted it. I recognized what it was immediately. Any gamer could recognize a PlayStation at rest.

I sucked in a breath, closed my eyes, and hugged the arm he’d draped over me.

Chapter Forty-Four:

Moodyking1

Peyton

Rosie walked over as soon as I returned to the house the following morning. Considering T.J. and I had spent the last two nights out, I was expecting a visit. Living next door to my in-laws for the last few years meant they missed nothing.

I answered the door with a smile. “Hey, Rosie.”

“I saw you pull in,” she said, reaching for her grandson.

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