Chapter 308
Sunlight washed over the coffee shop table as Ethan sat with newfound calm, the panic from last night nowhere to
be seen.
“You look better,” Adam noted, impressed by the teenager’s transformation. The kid who’d bolted from Irene’s birthday in tears now faced the world with quiet determination.
“Getting there,” Ethan replied, sitting straighter despite his obvious exhaustion.
“School is your weapon,” Adam leaned forward. “Every skill you master becomes ammunition.”
“Like you did?”
“Started coding before I could drive,” Adam said with a half–smile. “By sixteen, I was making money off security fixes while others flipped burgers. Learn the system, control the outcome.”
“What if the deck’s stacked against you?”
“Then you need better cards. Haven Foundation has scholarships. Top schools. Full ride.”
Hope flickered across Ethan’s face, like a light switched on in a dark room.
Irene watched silently, warming at how easily Adam connected with her brother. She’d never imagined the ruthless businessman having this kind of patience with a suburban teenager.
Ethan checked his phone and grimaced. “Should head back. They’ve probably called the police by now.”
As he stood, he hesitated, then pulled something from his pocket. “Almost forgot. This is yours. Was gonna give it yesterday before everything went to hell.”
He handed Irene a small box, embarrassment coloring his features.
When she opened it, time seemed to stop. A simple silver chain lay inside, nothing fancy–but Irene’s breath caught like she’d found buried treasure.
“You still have it?” Her voice barely carried across the table.
Ethan shrugged awkwardly. “Found it cleaning last week. Remember when you turned sixteen and said someday you wanted something pretty to wear?”
In a flash, Irene was transported back to midnight birthdays on cold concrete steps, whispering dreams with this boy who’d been her only ally in that house of indifference.
“I thought it was gone when-” The words stuck in her throat. When they threw me out. When I lost everything.
“Kept it safe,” Ethan said quietly. “Figured I’d get my chance eventually.”
“It’s perfect,” Irene clutched the box like it might vanish. “Best gift ever.”
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For the first time since arriving, Ethan truly smiled.
Adam caught the shine in Irene’s eyes, tucking away that reaction for later before subtly signaling Thomas it was time to wrap things up.
Irene walked Ethan outside while Thomas brought the car around. They hugged briefly, her whispered “Stay strong making him stand a little taller as he climbed into the backseat.
“He’s got this,‘ Adam said as the car pulled away, rolling up beside her. “Tougher than he looks.”
Irene nodded, still clutching the small box. “Thanks again for sending Thomas after him last night. I don’t know what would’ve happened if-”
“Enough with the thank yous,” Adam cut her off with surprising gentleness. “You hungry? I’m starving.”
She looked down at him, noticing how the morning light softened his features. Her pulse picked up its pace like it always did lately when his eyes met hers.
“Lunch sounds great,” she smiled. “My treat.”
The bistro Adam chose buzzed with conversation without any stuffiness. Their drinks arrived–just sparkling water with lime since Adam couldn’t mix alcohol with medication.
“Think he’ll be okay at home?” she asked.
“He’s found his motivation now,” Adam replied. “That changes everything.”
“How can you be so sure after one conversation?”
“Because he’s cut from the same cloth as you,” Adam said, eyes locked on hers. “That same stubborn streak that refuses to stay down when life kicks you.”
Warmth spread through Irene’s chest. Adam saw her in ways even her family sometimes missed.
After paying, Irene returned to find Adam watching her with that look that made her feel like the only person in
the room.
“Got plans this afternoon?” he asked.
“Nothing urgent.”
“There’s something I want to show you.”
“Going to tell me what it is?”
Adam smiled playfully. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Irene realized she didn’t even want to say no anymore.
Water stretched endlessly before them as the yacht cut through waves. Irene closed her eyes, letting the ocean
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breeze wash away the remnants of last night’s stress.
“Another mysterious trip?” she asked, settling into a chair beside Adam on deck.
“Just wait,” he replied, checking his watch.
When the engines quieted to a gentle hum, Adam pointed toward the water. Irene followed his gesture, confusion turning to surprise as a sleek gray shape arced through the waves.
“Oh my god–dolphins!” The words tumbled out as pure delight spread across her face. Another dolphin joined the first, then another, until a small pod surrounded them.
Irene rushed to the railing, mesmerized by the graceful creatures playing in their wake.
“Your birthday got hijacked,” Adam said, joining her. “Consider this a do–over. Good surprise?”
“The best!” Irene beamed, looking years younger in her excitement. “I’ve only seen them in aquariums before.”
Adam barely watched the dolphins, too captivated by the joy transforming Irene’s face. Each laugh, each wide–eyed moment of wonder tightened something in his chest–something that felt dangerously close to happiness.
A particularly bold dolphin leapt high, sending spray over both of them. Irene laughed, wiping water from her cheeks. Adam offered a handkerchief, their fingers brushing briefly in the exchange. Neither acknowledged the
spark that passed between them, but their shared smile said everything words couldn’t.
They spent the afternoon drifting, talking easily as the city skyline slowly grew from a distant smudge back into familiar towers. By the time they docked, the sun was already sliding toward the horizon.
“Mom!” Lucas tackled her the moment she walked in. “Where’ve you been all day?”
“No calls, no texts,” Alex added, arms crossed. “We waited forever for lunch.”
“We were worried,” Lily said quietly.
Brandon rolled in from the kitchen. “Next time drop a text, huh?”
“I completely forgot!” Irene cringed. ‘I’m so sorry.”
She hung her jacket, ocean scent still in her hair. “Adam took me to see dolphins. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet, Alex said. “We were waiting.”
Behind her back, the triplets exchanged looks. Lucas and Lily silently high–fived while Alex tried hiding his
satisfied smile.
“About your birthday, Brandon suggested. “Since yesterday went south, why don’t we redo the whole thing? We
could-
“Absolutely not!” Irene’s vehemence made everyone blink. “Let’s keep the next one simple.”
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What nobody knew we she’d spent three hours set wight tearing down decoration. The thought of repeating that cleanup made her want to dissppest
Miles away. Natalie Snow glared at her phone. The photo showed trend and Xdant at the Birthday party, innking far too comfortable together.
With a quick swipe, she closed the image and pulled up her concrete, rinding a number she’d hoped to avoid using
Her father might think the Haven bottle we lost, but Natal wat surrendering to some nobody doctor who’d captured Adam’s attention when shed fuited for years.
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