Chapter 37: Diving Into Her World

Chapter 37: Diving Into Her World

Renee’s POV
“Do you two know each other?”
Mrs. Wayne’s question hangs in the air, light and curious, completely unaware of the quiet collision happening between Clark and me.
I recover first.
“Yes,” I say calmly, folding my hands together on the table. “We’ve met a few times.”
Clark lets out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Nonsense, Mother. That’s not how you say it.”
Mrs. Wayne turns to him, confused. “What do you mean?”
He straightens in his chair, pride creeping into his posture. “This is the woman I told you about. The one who resolved my case with the Hockey Board.”
The words land like a spark.
Mrs. Wayne gasps. Actually gasps.
She turns to me so fast her chair scrapes the floor. “You? Renee..you’re the one?”
I offer a modest smile. “I only helped where I could.”
“Oh my goodness,” she breathes, reaching for my hand. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done for my son? For our family?”
Clark nods. “I didn’t even get the chance to properly thank her. I didn’t even know her name at the time.”
Mrs. Wayne’s eyes shine as if she’s looking at salvation itself. “This is unbelievable.”
Clark pushes his chair back and stands. “Please…sit here.” He pulls out the seat beside his. “It’s the least I can do.”
I hesitate just long enough for it to look polite, then rise and take the seat. Clark settles back in beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from his arm.
Dinner resumes but not normally.
For most of the night, Mrs. Wayne talks. And praises. And praises some more.
“You’re brilliant, Renee. Absolutely brilliant.”
“I knew there had to be someone special behind this turnaround.”
“You have no idea how long I’ve prayed for someone like you to cross Clark’s path.”
I smile. I nod. I thank her.
But inside?
Something bitter coils in my chest.
For years…years…I had carried the Waynes on my back. Pulled strings. Made calls. Smoothed paths they didn’t even know were rough. I had loved Clark once. Believed in him. Invested in him.
And never…not once…had they looked at me like this.
Never called me brilliant.
Never called me a blessing.
Now, all it took was one visible favor.
One tiny pull.
And suddenly I was extraordinary.
I swallow the resentment with practiced ease and continue smiling.
When the waiter brings the bill, I reach for it instinctively.
Clark’s hand covers it. “No. Let me.”
I look at him. “You don’t have to.”
“I insist,” he says. “It’s my way of saying thank you.”
Before I can respond, Mrs. Wayne scoffs. “Nonsense. This is my dinner with Renee.”
She waves Clark off dismissively. “If you want to thank her properly, you should schedule a date of your own.”
The word date rings unpleasantly loud.
I straighten. “That won’t be necessary,” I say gently. “Besides, Clark is married. His wife wouldn’t appreciate him going on dates with another woman.”
Mrs. Wayne laughs…sharp and careless. “That girl?” She waves her hand. “She’s useless to him. She has no say.”
Clark stiffens slightly but says nothing.
“She won’t be around much longer anyway,” Mrs. Wayne adds. “That marriage is already dead.”
I keep my smile steady, even as something cold flickers behind my eyes.
Serves her right, I think cruelly. A cheater will always be a cheater.
Mrs. Wayne glances at her watch and stands abruptly. “Oh dear, look at the time. I have to stop by Mrs. Chopra’s.”
“Now?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes, yes.” She grabs her purse. “Business waits for no one.”
She leans down and squeezes my hands. “Renee, dear, we’ll talk soon. Very soon.”
Before I can respond, she’s already halfway to the door.
And just like that, I’m alone with Clark.
The silence that follows is thick. Awkward.
“I’m sorry about my mother,” he says finally. “She… doesn’t always have a filter.”
“It’s fine,” I reply easily. “I’m used to strong personalities.”
He smiles faintly. “Still…thank you. For everything.”
I nod, reaching for my clutch. “I should get going.”
“Let me drive you,” he offers quickly.
“I can take a cab.”
“I’d really like to,” he insists.
I study him for a second, then sigh as if conceding. “Alright.”
The drive is quiet. The city lights blur past the windows, filling the silence with motion instead of words.
At some point, I subtly slip my lipstick from my bag and let it fall between the seats.
When we near my estate, I ask him to stop.
“Here is fine.”
He frowns. “I can drive you in.”
I shake my head. “My father and brother are… very protective. Security reports everything.”
He chuckles. “I see.”
I step out, smoothing my dress. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Renee,” he says quickly. “Would you… come watch one of my training sessions? With my coach?”
I pretend to think about it. Then smile. “Sure.”
His face lights up.
We part ways, and as I walk through the gates, my smile slowly sharpens.
Everything is unfolding exactly as planned.
And Clark Wayne has no idea how deep he’s already stepped into my world.