Page 31 of Yearner

Melvin’s eyes softened with relief. “I’m glad you came back. Silas hasn’t stepped foot inside this house in the past ten years, not since you left. And now, because of you, he’s finally come home again.”

Allison’s smile faded as she stared at him in confusion. Slowly, her gaze drifted toward Silas.

She felt his arm tighten around her, drawing her closer to his side. His brows furrowed as he shot his father a warning look.

“Dad.”

Melvin, however, appeared completely unfazed. He pointed an accusing finger at Silas, his expression turning irritated again.

“Back then, on the day you left Manhattan, I locked him in his bedroom. It was snowing heavily, and the storm was terrible. His mother was already dead, and I was worried he’d go out there and die in that damn weather. Was I wrong to be worried?”

Allison hesitated before slowly shaking her head. “No.”

“Exactly.” Melvin nodded as though she had just confirmed what he already knew. “But this asshole was so angry with me that when I finally opened his door the next day, he stormed out of this house and never came back. He went to live with his grandfather. Then, after his grandfather died, he moved into his own house. No matter how many times I tried to convince him to return, he refused. I even offered him a fortune and my personal jet, but this stubborn piece of wood wouldn’t set foot in this house again.”

He paused, then gestured toward Silas with a satisfied grin.

“Until now. And he came back with you.”

Allison’s lips parted in shock. Her eyes widened slightly as she tried to absorb what Melvin had just told her. She had never imagined that Silas’s feelings for her had run so deep, even ten years ago.

The realization left her momentarily speechless.

“Well, it’s a good thing he’s married you now,” Melvin continued cheerfully. “I’ll have you slap some sense into him if he throws any more temper tantrums like a child.”

“Dad!” Silas snapped, his expression darkening.

Allison turned toward him, raising her eyebrows in amusement. “What? I can’t slap you?”

Silas fell silent.

He turned his head away, refusing to answer. His silence, however, made it rather obvious that he wasn’t saying no.

Melvin grinned, clearly delighted by his son’s reaction. Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.

“Frank, transfer twenty percent of the shares in my name to Allison as a wedding gift.”

“What?” Allison’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Melvin ended the call before she could say another word. She immediately turned toward him, still struggling to process what she had just heard.

“Mr. Black, you don’t have to do that. I can’t accept a gift this expensive.”

Allison glanced at Silas, her expression conflicted.

Silas smiled at Melvin. “Thanks, Dad.” Then he turned toward Allison and gently encouraged her to accept it. “It’s a gift from my father. Keep it.”

She pressed her lips together, still hesitant, but eventually turned back to Melvin and offered him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mr. Black.”

Melvin’s eyes immediately brightened. With a broad smile, he waved his hand dismissively and straightened up.

“Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and hurried down the corridor, disappearing into one of the rooms.

Silas turned toward Allison. She shifted her attention to him, and he lifted a hand to lovingly caress her cheek.

“You didn’t agree to marry me just because I asked you to, did you?” he asked gently. “I know there’s something on your mind. It’s all right. I don’t want you to feel forced into doing anything.”