The air crackled with a tension Silas hadn't anticipated. Esme's stormy expression, a stark contrast to her earlier joy, left him speechless. For a moment, he just stared at her, perplexed. Silas had planned to declare his affections to make her happy, but his comments upset her instead. He was a fool for not knowing how to put together the words that would convince her that he was sincere about her.
In a desperate attempt to rectify his mistake, Silas hastened to explain himself, his words tumbling out in a flurry of assurances. "That misunderstanding cleared up soon, alright?" he hurriedly explained. "I wouldn't have taken you to my parents if I wasn't sure that you were not into my fortune."
