Chapter 2The Tycoon’s Vow: Claiming the Fallen Rose

Twenty years ago, my father hired a new bodyguard.

That bodyguard brought along a young boy with a fierce, handsome face that mirrored his father’s intensity. They moved into our guest house.

That boy, Silas, went to the same private school as I did.

I was only eight then. Spoiled by my father’s affection, I was bossy and arrogant. I demanded that Silas be my personal bodyguard at school.

It was a status symbol. I walked through those hallways feeling like royalty because I had Silas trailing behind me.

I don't know exactly when my feelings for him shifted into something more. Maybe it was middle school.

By then, Silas had grown into a strikingly handsome, rugged young man. He was already much taller than me.

I was 5'6", barely reaching his shoulder.

Walking home together after school, I would watch our shadows in the sunset—sometimes close, sometimes drifting apart. I always found myself subconsciously leaning closer to him.

...

"Elena." Chloe tapped my shoulder.

I snapped out of it. "What?"

"Silas hasn't attended a single reunion since our high school graduation party," Chloe whispered in my ear.

I gave a soft "mhm" and stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."

I knew Silas hated me. He probably hated everything about high school.

After all, I had used my family’s wealth and his tragic background to treat him like a servant for a decade.

From age eight to eighteen, Silas never once refused me. Except for that one time.

And if I hadn't heard him say, "Get lost. Stay the hell away from me," I might have forgotten that Silas had pride, too.

The guilt weighed heavy on me as I walked toward the door. Just as I reached for the handle, it was pushed open with force.

I gasped, my eyes widening as I looked straight into a pair of cold, dark eyes.

Ten years. It really was long enough to change a person.

The fierce boy had become a mature, imposing man.

He was taller now. He wore a black suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean waist. His long legs stood firm, and his deep gaze was locked onto me.