The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Sebastian never explained that people had mistaken them for a couple and were intentionally keeping their distance.

After a brief pause, he simply said, "They went ahead to get something to eat."

Citrine wasn't one to dwell on things. Hearing his answer, she let it go.

"Do you want to go diving this afternoon?" she asked, unusually taking the initiative.

Sebastian was caught off guard by her invitation, pleasantly surprised.

He answered without hesitation, "Sure."

After lunch, they dropped by a shop to pick up two sets of diving gear, then hopped onto a boat and headed out to sea.

Suddenly, something occurred to Citrine. She glanced back at Sebastian. "By the way, I forgot to ask-have you been diving before?"

Sebastian had, but only once, a long time ago.

Not wanting to dampen Citrine's enthusiasm, he smiled and said, "Yeah, I've dived before."

Relieved, Citrine asked, "How about the deep water? Is that okay with you?" Sebastian nodded.

As they neared the deep-water area, Citrine caught sight of another boat in the distance—and instantly recognized two faces she would have preferred not to

see.

my luck," she muttered under her

beside her, heard her comment. He followed her gaze, a faint smirk playing

Hastings and Quentin had

hide his delight at

coming, and look at that -showed

sarcastic, but a small, knowing smile

seconds-until they noticed the man standing next to

with her," Quentin snapped,

light in Hastings's eyes faded as well. He pressed

Citrine's boat, they'd reached the deep-water zone and

one last time. When they were ready, Citrine flashed

a splash, they dove

bubbled up inside her. As she sank beneath the surface, all her worries melted away, replaced by a sense

never letting her out of

and

diving with another man hit him harder

his own gear and started

and called out, "What are

missing a beat as