Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

The assistant was taken aback by Silas' demeanor. However, interpreting his nonchalant attitude as that of a typical client coming to collect his garments, she proceeded with her duties.

"Jamie, what's gotten into you? You're practically ogling. Pull yourself together!" Lydia chided, tugging Jamie's arm.

"Mom! Look at that man. He is so handsome! I've never seen such a pretty face in my life," Jamie gushed, her excitement palpable.

"Enough of that. You're a woman of means; act like it. No matter how handshe may be, he's still just a man," Lydia scolded, though she couldn't help but steal glances at Silas.

Something about him seemed familiar, and his icy gaze sent shivers down her spine.

As the assistant pondered how to handle the situation, the crisp click of high heels echoed from the staircase.

"Are you two quite finished?" Silas turned his attention to Rose, who had just arrived. His eyes narrowed as he observed the aggression emanating from her demeanor.

"Mom, that bitch is here!" Jamie exclaimed, her expression twisted with disgust and hostility.

Jamie, as the legitimate daughter of the Emerson family, felt deeply unsettled by the impact Rose, the illegitimate daughter, had on the former's relationship with their father, George Emerson.

Rose surpassed Jamie in various aspects. Not only was Rose exceptionally beautiful, but she also possessed remarkable talent. Excelling academically and displaying exemplary character from a young age, Rose rose to becthe most esteemed fashion designer in the country.

If Rose hadn't been burdened by her mother's criminal past, George wouldn't have treated her with such coldness and distance. Rose might have even married into the prestigious Dalton family from Northuis instead of Jamie.

As Rose approached Lydia and Jamie, each step felt as heavy as lead.

Upon reaching the bottom, her gaze fell upon Silas, seated with an air of effortless elegance. His charming eyes captivated her, causing her heart to flutter uncontrollably, just as it always did in his presence. Yet, despite her undeniable attraction, Rose knew she could never act upon her feelings.

The arrival of Lydia and Jamie felt like the striking of midnight, a cruel reminder for Rose to awaken from her Cinderella dream.

Despite her deep affection for Silas, Rose harbored a secret hope that he would find a more suitable partner for himself—one without the burdensbackground, family, and past that plagued her.

Lydia's eyes burned with hatred as she observed Rose's remarkable success. Her anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

"Lydia, | am working right now. We can talk after work," Rose uttered, her voice strained with forced composure.

Silas remained a silent observer on the sidelines, rendering Rose unable to unleash her pent-up frustrations on Lydia and Jamie. She grappled with the thought of revealing her family's inner turmoil, especially considering how it might affect her standing in Silas and Alyssa's eyes.

Rose had fought tooth and nail to rise from the depths of the slums to her current position, and she was determined never to return to square one and endure the scorn of others.

Silas noticed the grim look on Rose's face. Yet, he remained calm.

Lydia, however, was seething with outrage. Finally laying eyes on Rose, she spewed forth a venomous tirade.

"Rose, you may be a renowned designer now, but your arrogance and temper have worsened over time.

"You have changed. You used to try to appease us when you and your mother were still living with the Emersons." "Lydia, while it may have been my assistant's oversight not to recognize you, we treat all clients equally and have no intention of causing any inconvenience," Rose retorted, her body stiffening with tension. "Let's continue this discussion in my office." Lydia crossed her arms, her tone icy. "You may have forgotten your roots and denied your identity as an Emerson, but you can never erase where you cfrom. No matter how high you climb, remember that your success today is all thanks to the Emerson family's efforts." "Mom, you're saying it in such a roundabout way. Does Rose even understand? Letmake it clear to her," Jamie interjected, her tone dripping with malice as she glanced at Silas, igniting a sense of malicious competitiveness within her.

She inched closer to Rose. "Rose, you have to always remember that you are an illegitimate daughter of the Emerson family." Silas, holding a cup, tightened his grip as his heart panged with ache. Sensing Rose's discomfort, he averted his burning gaze, fearful of adding to her distress.

"Why should we speak in your office? Are you ashamed of who you are, Rose?" Jamie taunted, seizing the opportunity to strike. "We cto see you once in a blue moon, yet you find every excuse to avoid us. Now that we've raised the issue, your guard dog is ready to pounce." The assistant seethed with humiliation, but understanding their relationship with Rose, she bit back her anger.

Each insult pierced Rose's heart like a knife, particularly in front of the man she loved. It was a brutal assault on her most vulnerable side.