Hate You, Marry Me

Episode 2

JADE's POV

William Lockwood pulled me into a hug, his laughter rumbling like a distant storm. “You’ve made me so happy! I can’t believe we didn’t see it—our little Jade and Silas, a couple!”

His arms tightened briefly before he stepped back, his eyes bright with joy. He had always treated me like a daughter, teasing my father endlessly about the possibility of becoming in-laws one day. Little did he know that I had harbored a deep, unrelenting loathing for his son since childhood. Yet now, under his watchful gaze, I had proposed to Silas Lockwood, of all people.

“It happened pretty suddenly,” I said, my voice steady, though my knees felt dangerously close to buckling. I stepped away slightly, but I could feel Silas’s presence behind me, his dark, burning gaze following my every movement like a hunter watching his prey. I knew that look. He wasn’t just watching me—he was scanning the room, probably looking for James. If Silas found him, there would be hell to pay. And though I should have stopped him, some part of me relished the idea.

“Well then, you’ll join us at the mountain house this week, won’t you?” William asked, his excitement tangible.

My stomach flipped as my gaze darted to Silas. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp jawline tightened briefly.

“Of course, Father,” Silas answered smoothly, his voice a velvet blade cutting through the tension. He turned to me, his dark eyes flashing with something unreadable as he added, “Jade and I will come together. She hasn’t had time to pack yet, so we’ll meet you there.”

“Perfect,” William said with a grin. “I’ll head off now and say goodbye to the staff. Don’t keep us waiting too long.”

“See you soon, Mr. Lockwood,” I said, my forced smile tightening.

“Oh, come on, Jade, call me William already—or better yet, Father!” His laugh boomed, and I wanted to disappear into the floor.

What the hell had I gotten myself into? How was I supposed to navigate this tangled web?

“See you soon… William,” I muttered, barely able to push the words out.

“Don’t leave too late, kids,” William warned, his tone suddenly serious. “The roads are clear now, but snow’s coming in a few hours.”

Silas nodded and grabbed my elbow gently, steering me toward the exit. His touch sent an unwelcome jolt of heat through me, but I yanked my arm free as soon as we were out of William’s sight. The cold air of the coat-check room was a brief reprieve from the suffocating heat rolling off Silas. By the time the attendant handed over my coat, my head was spinning.

“This is insane,” I muttered under my breath, forgetting that he was standing mere inches away. When he moved closer, his towering frame seemed to block out the entire room.

“Here,” he said, holding my coat open for me.

“I can do it myself,” I snapped, snatching the coat from his hands. The corners of his lips curled into a smirk, and my stomach churned with irritation—and something else I refused to name.

“How did I get myself into this situation?” I hissed, shoving my arms into the coat sleeves.

“Stop fighting it, Jade,” he murmured, leaning in slightly, his breath grazing the shell of my ear. “You know you don’t hate me as much as you claim.”

My pulse roared in my ears, and I took a deliberate step back, putting much-needed space between us. “Stay out of it, Silas. And stay out of my business, period. I’ll go to the mountain house, but I want you at least a hundred feet away from me at all times. Or I’ll tell your father the truth about this fake proposal—and exactly how much I despise you right now.”

His eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous crossing his face. For the first time, I thought I saw something crack in his armor. He blinked, his confident smirk faltering for a heartbeat before returning.

“You’ll tell him eventually,” he said, his tone softer but no less cutting. “Won’t you?”

“Your father is a good man, Silas. He doesn’t deserve this charade. I’ll spend a few days playing along, but after that, I’ll tell him we’re not ready. Better he thinks we’re reconsidering than let him find out I hate you with every fiber of my being.”

“As you wish...,” he muttered as we stepped into the elevator.

The air between us thickened as the doors closed. I folded my arms and stared straight ahead, but his presence was impossible to ignore. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, the faint scent of cedar and something darker, intoxicating. I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay composed.

“Don’t ever try to kiss me again,” I said abruptly, my voice sharper than I intended.

He turned, his eyes narrowing, his lips curving into a devilish smile. He stepped closer, invading my space with deliberate ease.

“I can’t promise that,” he whispered, his voice low and dangerous. “I might already be addicted.”

I sucked in a sharp breath as his proximity sent a rush of warmth flooding through me. He was close enough now that I could see every detail of his face—the dark lashes framing his stormy eyes, the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw.

Another step, and I was pinned against the elevator wall. His sheer size and strength made escape impossible. The air crackled with tension as he tilted his head, his gaze locked on mine.

“Even if you hate me,” he murmured, “don’t you think it’s a little… passionate for hatred?”

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open just as I was about to lose my composure. I ducked out quickly, sucking in the cold air like a lifeline.

He followed me, his footsteps steady and unhurried.

“Promise me we won’t stay longer than three days,” I said over my shoulder.

“Fine,” he said, exhaling sharply. But I could feel his tension building, simmering beneath the surface. Silas wasn’t someone you wanted to see lose control.

“Why are you even coming with me?” I asked, unlocking my car with a frustrated click.

“Because I don’t trust that scumbag James to leave you alone, and you don't tell me what he did to you” he growled, his voice hardening at the mention of James.

“Funny, considering you’re the one who bothers me the most.”

“Guess I’m no longer number one on your hate list,” he said with a smirk. “But you know I never settle for second place. How about loving me the most?”

“Well, keep dreaming,” I retorted as I slid into the driver’s seat.

By the time I reached my car, my heart was still racing.

“You can pick me up after I grab a few things from my place. I guess you already know where I live. Goodbye, Silas.” I said with a pointed glare, but the memory of his smirk stayed with me long after I drove away.

The silence of the car did nothing to soothe my racing mind. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter with every turn, the pressure grounding me as my thoughts betrayed me.

That kiss.

No matter how hard I tried to shove it out of my mind, it lingered—vivid, electric, and far too real. It wasn’t supposed to happen. Not with him. And yet, it had felt like a spark had ignited between us, burning away every shred of rational thought in its path. The worst part? I hadn’t pulled away immediately. I had let it happen, even for that split second, and that infuriated me.

Damn him. He was right. It was a hatred filled with fire. Too much fire.