Jilted Ex-wife Billionaire Heiress

Chapter 53 Partners But

Not Friends

Darya looked at Reece, then at Micah.

She was tempted to say no.

But if she turned down Reece's suggestion, she would offend her new business partner.

She glanced at Avery, who nodded at her.

It was too late to back out of the dance now, especially when everyone was watching.

Taking a deep breath, she pasted a polite smile on her face. 'It'll be my pleasure.'

Reece, smiling, left the podium.

Micah took Darya's hand and led her to the dance floor, looking much calmer than he felt.

He had never danced with Darya before.

As the band struck up a slow, soulful tune, he skilfully guided her around the dance floor.

He leaned in, taking a whiff of her perfume. "You did well at the meeting'

He'd thought Darya's position as Paragon's vice president was purely for show.

But he knew he was wrong when she showed up for the meeting with a much more experienced businessman like Reece without Avery's presence.

'Avery taught you well,' he said.

Reece had shown him Paragon's proposal, and it was indeed excellent.

Otherwise, Reece would not have allowed Paragon to become a joint partner.

After all, the project was intended to be an exclusive collaboration between Solaro and Zenith.

Paragon's involvement was unplanned but promising

Darya moved back, keeping as much distance between her and Micah as possible. "The proposal was my idea. Avery had nothing to do with it."

Micah's assumption was insulting.

But then, he had no idea what Darya was capable of.

Gliding on the dance floor, Darya wished the music would end sooner.

Three years ago, she would have been thrilled to be dancing with the man she admired and thought she loved.

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Chapter 53 Partners But Not Friends

But things had changed now.

Micah wrapped an arm around her waist.

It surprised him to realise that he didn't want the song to end so soon.

It was the closest physical contact he'd ever had with Darya.

'What do you think-' he began.

'We don't have to talk,' Darya cut him off. 'Let's just finish this dance.'

Micah tightened his grip on Darya's waist. 'We should get to know each other better.'

'Not interested.'

'The distribution channels you mentioned in the proposal-'

'Please send me an email if you'd like to discuss business matters.'

Micah chuckled. 'Do you plan to communicate with me that way for the entire duration of the project? You know as well as I do that it could take months, if not years, for the project to be completed. We are still at phase one. We'll be seeing plenty of each other in the coming days.'

Darya said nothing, but she was already planning to find someone as the liaison between Paragon and Zenith.

As the two of them danced in silence, guests pointed and whispered.

'Is that Darya Miller?'

"She's prettier than I thought.' a

'Why's Micah dancing with his ex-wife?"

'Are they getting back together?"

'No way! She's with Avery now.

Micah frowned when he overheard the last comment.

He steered Darya away from the crowd.

As the music rose to a crescendo, he lowered his head.

Thinking he was about to kiss her, Darya pinched him. 'Don't you dare!'

Micah's lips brushed against her left ear.

He released her and took a slight bow.

Darya stomped on his foot, her face flushed scarlet.

Micah smiled.

Instead of pulling back, he moved in further. 'You could use some practice in ballroom dancing'

'No, thanks. Darya gritted her teeth.

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Micah carried on as if he didn't hear her. 'I could be your partner. There's a party next-

'What are you trying to do?' Darya asked coldly.

Micah's change in attitude since the divorce didn't escape her notice.

Bianca commented that maybe he wanted to get back together with her."noveldrama

Darya would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't tempted.

After all, Micah was the first man she ever fell in love with.

But as soon as she recalled the treatment she received from the Cavanaughs for

the past three years, she strengthened her resolve.

Micah looked straight into Darya's eyes.

The smile on his face faded. 'I want to get to know you.'

'But I'm not interested in making friends with you,' Darya retorted.

'You'll change your mind once we spend some time together.'

Just like he discovered that he didn't know the real Darya, Micah was confident that Darya had not known the

real him.

'We spent three years together as husband and wife,' Darya said. 'That's long enough.'

'But I-'

Darya stopped him.

His heart sank when he saw the determination in her eyes.

Darya took a deep breath.

It was time for a clean break.

She glanced around and made sure no one else was within earshot.

'Our marriage was a mistake,' she said. 'I didn't realise that before, but now I do.

A large part of the fault lies with me. I shouldn't have coerced you into marrying

me. I thought I knew you well, but to you, I was a complete stranger.'

Micah frowned.

Why would Darya say she knew him well?

The day they got married was the first time they'd met.

Darya continued, 'No one likes having a stranger intrude into their life. I can't blame you for distancing yourself from me. It took me three years to realise the mistake, but now that I do, I would like to apologise for what I did before. We will be business partners, but I don't think it's a good idea for us to be anything more

than

As if right on cue, the music ended.

Darya removed her hand from Micah's shoulder.

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She left without looking back, before he could see the shimmering tears in her

eyes

It was painful to say goodbye to her first romance, but it had to be done

Micah stond where he was, his face impassive

Darya was right.

Their marriage had gotten off on the wrong foot.

There was no way it could have worked back then.

But that didn't mean it couldn't work in the future.

Darya's frankness had both astonished and impressed him.

It also made him feel guilty.

If part of the blame for their divorce could be attributed to her, the other part was

due to him and his family.