Chapter 8

Hailey leaned lazily against the wall, her eyes casually drifting over to Christopher, who was hunched up in the corner, looking like a mess.

He was so young, barely twenty, but his skin was ghostly pale, almost unhealthy–looking. His hair was a tangled mess, falling over his eyes, and his thin frame had an almost fragile quality to it.

His wrists were delicate, like a woman’s, and it made her feel a strange pang of sympathy.

He looked like someone who had spent his entire life fighting some kind of illness, someone who never saw the sun.

It seemed like he felt her stare, because Christopher slowly lifted his gaze and met hers.

His eyes, hidden beneath his messy hair, were cold, and utterly empty. They sent a shiver down her spine. The ugly scar across his right cheek only added to his intimidating presence, making him look like a demon that crawled out of hell.

And then, suddenly, he cracked a grin. The way the scar twisted with his smile? Yeah, it was terrifying

Hailey couldn’t help but snicker to herself, thinking. Seriously? Is he trying to freak me out with that creepy grin?”

Instead of backing away, Hailey just stuck her tongue out playfully and gave him a mock eye roll.

Christopher seemed a little taken aback, thinking, ‘Isn’t this the part where I’m supposed to scare her off?

Just then, the two women seemed to realize it was finally time to introduce them properly,

Rose, with that soft smile, turned to Hailey and said, “Hailey, darling, come here. I want to introduce you to someone.”

Hailey lazily scratched her ear, a little sarcastic as she responded, ‘Oh, so now you’re trying to marry me off? Is Grandpa okay with this?”

Thomas had no idea. He’d been singing Hailey’s praises at the party earlier.

And once he got a look at Christopher’s personality, he immediately decided against pushing for the Blackwell family marriage.

In fact, he’d considered calling off the engagement altogether, but, of course, Rose had her own plans.

Rose kept talking, barely pausing for breath, “Marriage is a huge deal, right? All arranged by your parents and matchmakers. Your dad picked this one for you. I just didn’t get the chance to mention it earlier.

gem–so sweet, gentle. Marrying

her off, smirking. “Oh yeah? If he’s so great, why don’t you get Selena to marry

shocked, “What? No way! He’s your fiancé, not hers. How could

up at her with a

it was–perfect time to bring out

in

shyly, “Yep, I really

with him. You’re still young. Don’t let some guy take advantage of you. What your family arranges

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Fri, 28 Mar A

Chapter 8

Christopher, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t hold back a

met my boyfriend.

K94%1

a few days. How many people have you met? Don’t tell me

sweetic, you’re a Dalton. If you follow the family’s plan, your future’s set. You won’t have to worry about anything Why

Hailey marrying into the Blackwell family was like hitting the

stood her ground, “But I really like my boyfriend. We’ve only been together for a

too young to understand. Love doesn’t mean anything when you’re living

marrying Christopher means you’re set for life–no worries, no

only for those who could survive it.’

would never

your boyfriend and break up with him now–get it over with. Christopher’s

all

putting on the face of someone who didn’t want to, but knew she had no choice. Slowly, she pulled her phone out of her pocket

party, Owen slipped in, doing his best to stay under the radar. He wasn’t looking to be the center of attention; he just wanted

a spot where he could keep an eye on the whole

have it, it wasn’t Hailey who spotted him first–it was

scheming in the background and figured Hailey was probably off hiding somewhere, excluded from

seeing Hailey squirm made Selena smile to

she saw Owen standing in the corner. Her eyes practically sparkled. ‘Oh my God, Owen’s here too? How the hell did I not know? He must’ve come just for me, right? Wanting to surprise mel‘

was like the universe giving

quickly fixed her hair, lifted her dress slightly, and started walking toward him, a

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