After handing the menu back, Gavin leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. “How’s your new job?” he asked. “Is it good? You know, you could always come work at my company instead. I’d pay you better.”
Mia waved her hand quickly, smiling politely. “It’s really fine. Everything’s going well, and I don’t need a new job right now.”
Gavin nodded slowly. “Right…”
But the disappointment in his eyes was hard to miss.
Mia hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, “What about you? Do you have your own company, or do you work somewhere?”
Gavin let out a loud laugh, leaning back in his chair as if amused by the question.
“Of course I have my own business,” he said easily. “Don’t you know our family? We’re very well known in our field. We’re in gem and diamond mining.” His smile turned faintly smug. “We’re… pretty rich.”
“Oh.” The sound barely left Mia’s lips.
She didn’t follow up. Didn’t react. She simply nodded once and reached for her glass of water, lifting it slowly as she turned her gaze toward the window. The city lights reflected faintly in her eyes as she took a small sip, her expression calm, distant—unimpressed.
Gavin fell silent.
‘Usually when I tell girls about my business, they get impressed and start falling all over me… but she doesn’t care at all,’ he thought, frowning as he watched Mia quietly pick up a glass of water and take a sip.
Gavin’s lips twitched into a small smile as he kept watching her, waiting for the right moment to speak—but before he could say anything, the waiter appeared at their table.
“Your dinner, Mr. Stanley,” the waiter said politely, placing the dishes down one by one. Plates filled the table—steaming mains, rich sauces, carefully plated sides—until there was barely any space left.
After arranging everything neatly, the waiter gave a small bow. “If you need anything else, I’ll be right there,” he said, pointing across the room. “Just press the button on the table.”
He gestured to the small silver button near each chair and walked away.
Once they were alone again, Gavin slid a clean plate toward Mia and took one for himself.
“Let’s eat,” he said, already serving himself generously.
Mia glanced at him briefly, then nodded. She reached for the serving spoon and placed only a small portion on her plate—barely a few bites, just enough to be polite.
As they began eating, Gavin turned toward her, watching her carefully. “So…” he said casually, “how are things with James? Did you talk to him?”
Mia’s brows pulled together.
“No,” she replied. “We’re already divorced. Why would I talk to him?”
Gavin froze mid-movement, his spoon hovering in the air. He stared at her, confusion plain on his face. “He seemed really troubled when I saw him at the bar,” he said slowly. “I thought you two would talk things out. He kept insisting you were still his wife.”
“I’m not,” Mia said firmly. “I already told you—we’re divorced. I’m not going back to him.”
Gavin nodded, but the unease didn’t leave his face. He set his spoon down, exhaling quietly. “The last time I saw him,” he muttered, “he really seemed to care about you. Since you left, he’s been desperate. He wants you to forgive him… to get back together.”
“No.” Mia’s voice sharpened slightly. “Why would I go back?”
She straightened in her chair, irritation flashing across her features. “From beginning to end, I wasn’t the one at fault. I did everything I could in that marriage. It ended becausehedidn’t want me. Now we’re divorced. Why would I return to that?”
She shrugged lightly, then added, almost offhandedly, “And besides… I’m already married to someone else.”
Silence crashed between them.
It was so heavy Mia could hear the faint clink of cutlery from another table.
When she looked up, Gavin was staring at her—eyes wide, face frozen in shock.
