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

her gaze, a faint smirk playing

Hastings and Quentin

his delight at spotting

look at that -showed up anyway. Women

small, knowing smile crept onto

of three seconds-until they noticed the man standing

Sebastian-the bastard-along with her," Quentin snapped, practically throwing his binoculars onto the

in Hastings's eyes faded as well. He

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

and Sebastian suited up, checking their equipment one last time. When they were ready, Citrine flashed

a splash, they dove into the

an entire lifetime since Citrine last went diving. Excitement bubbled up inside her. As she sank beneath the surface,

letting her

boat, Hastings and Quentin watched with

The sight of Citrine diving with another man

his own gear and

noticed and called out, "What

Hastings replied, not missing a beat as he buckled his