“Sure!”
Chapter 228
She flashed him a sweet smile.
Tonight, she’d gone out of her way to dress up, making sure everything about her–her hair, her makeup, her outfit–was done in soft pinks, sweet and innocent, just like the way Michael remembered her back in high school.
Marina and Michael walked into a bar together, just the two of them.
If she had a choice, Marina would never have chosen to be alone with Michael.
Because Michael was trouble.
Back in high school, Michael and Jonathan were like two extremes in their class, yet somehow, they always ended up in the same place.
One was so outstanding it made people want to look up to him, even bow their heads in awe.
The other was so terrifying he had a pack of followers who were too scared to
leave his side.
She’d already been Jonathan’s girlfriend back then, but Michael still pursued her relentlessly, always eager to please, always ready to do anything for her.
Michael came from money, too, but Marina never liked him.
She’d seen with her own eyes how Michael had once lost it and beaten someone so badly they landed in the hospital, nearly dying in the ER.
The bar was dimly lit, and Marina sat next to Michael at the counter, their shoulders almost touching.
She didn’t need to look to know Michael’s eyes were locked on her.
“Judging by your expression, something’s bothering you. Is it about Jonathan?”
Michael got straight to the point, saving Marina the effort.
She lowered her thick lashes, looking delicate and vulnerable, the very image Michael loved most.
“I do have a few things on my mind, but there’s no one I can talk to about it…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Michael reached out and took her hand.
17.00
Chapter 228
Feigning surprise, she quickly pulled her hand away.
“Don’t do that, I… I’m not single anymore…”
“But I heard you and Jonathan broke up.”
“No… not exactly…”
Her words trailed off, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Michael immediately pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at her eyes, the perfect gentleman.
“What happened? You can tell me.”
Marina looked up at Michael, her eyes wide and glistening with sorrow.
“It’s just… there’s something…”
TerraVita Recovery Center.
Niamh had fought with Jonathan today.
Over the phone.
She’d overheard the nurses gossiping and only then learned that the new recovery center she was staying in was actually owned by Marina’s parents, with additional funding from the Thomas Group.
So that “business” Jonathan and Marina’s parents had been so preoccupied with? It
was this very center.
“I don’t want to do my rehab in a place owned by the other woman’s family. It’s disgusting!”
That was the last thing Niamh said to Jonathan before hanging up.
“Niamh, stop being unreasonable.”
That was Jonathan’s last reply.
Furious, Niamh slammed her phone down and, leaning on her cane, hobbled to the front desk to request her discharge.
“I’m sorry, Miss Rivers, but I can’t process your discharge,” the receptionist said with a forced, polite smile.
“Why not?”
“It’s Mr. Thomas’s orders. You must remain here to complete your rehabilitation.”
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17.24 m
Niamh knew there was no point arguing with the receptionist.
Still leaning on her cane, she made her way to the main entrance.
Two uniformed security guards stepped in front of her.
“Please, Miss Rivers, you need to go back inside.”
Niamh let out a bitter laugh.
Was this rehab, or was she being held prisoner?
“I don’t care what you say. I’m leaving today, no matter what!”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a voice called out from the entrance:
“I can take you out.”
Turning toward the sound, Niamh saw a stranger.
He was tall and broad–shouldered, dressed in a sharp suit, with wire–rimmed glasses perched on a straight nose. He smiled kindly, exuding an air of polished, effortless charm.
