had with Ada, she stood by a yacht

structure with mild a

ter getting married to George and becoming a doormat f

she wasn't given luxurious treatment. And as for Geo

can all guess

that chapter wa

r voice pulled Mirena

d her best friend rush down the dock-

she threw herself into Mirena's a

t restraint. In Ada's arms, she felt something she hadn't in years-unco

abandon this life, all for G

back, her sharp eyes sweeping over Mirena's outfit. "And

k goodness she'd stopped

ded only by top-tier socialites and old-money elites-Mirena knew

ed: a sharp leather pencil skirt, a sleek strapless crop top, knee-hig

ed as she entwined their fingers and

e waited for this," Ada, as usual,

y surface polished to a liquid sheen. The air hummed with muted conversations and the clink of crystal-a familiar symphony of w

some squinting in curiosity, others with dawning recognition. Whispers

to Ada, who had just procured two flu

aid, handing her a glass, "you

he replied, taking a measured sip, "I suppose she

orge and the Sterlings were a full-blown infection. You're lu

eded, the champagne bubbles fizzing softly o

gratulations, then. You've finally ditched the leeches and returned to wh

p in Mirena's chest-a thrill she ha

turned to her lips

e a relaxing spa session-their original plan. But the w

hat Ms.

g here? Is she m

e bothered to lo

da murmured as they settled into rec

into the plush chair, and closed her eyes. She hadn't come for gossip or pas

course, had

sheer kimono jacket to reveal a sleek crop

ked one eye

yan's hosting a high-stakes game downstai

said, sitting up slowly

d it all. "In my defe

help me out here. I've been fighting alone for years-I need my partner back."

tly pulled her hand away, a fond smile pl

anyway, don't y

downed the last of her champagne. "Y

owed eagerly, their coats draped o

ed in a hushed voice. "Let's show them th

out of the spa area, she walked straight

rong hands caught her waist,

ren

licker of surprise through her. Sh

man who had once been her business partner-and so m

, her voice softer

dn't believe it," he said, his tone as sm

own taller." The old tease came na

l glint in his eyes. "Life's been

d she opened her arms instinctively. He didn't hesitate, wrap

Renny," he murmure

troke his back gently

d her throat loudly. "I

ad and offered her

Fine then-Rena, let's go.

ked, his hand lingering comforta

replied. "Ada's o

y, a knowing look

g with you

e of them fell into easy conversation as they m

ws of the upper de

p snap, the stem broke in his grip, yet he didn't flinch. H

t

Mirena's back. The ease in her smile.

possessive twiste

d glass against the nearest wall, where it