The Forgotten Girl Is Back For Revenge

Chapter 34

Halley kept her eyes on the city lights flickering beyond the car window, refining to look at Owen

You’re jealous Owen mammaired, his voice dropping lower at he reached for her hand. His touch was warm and steady- disarmingly gentle

Her expression didn’t waver. “I’m not. Why would I be? Her tone was calm, and perfectly measured, with not a hint of emotion dipping through.

The deep chuckle that followed sent a pate of irritation through her.

She exhaled sharply, her patience thinning Unfastening her seatbelt, she reached for the door handle. If you don’t want to drive me home, I’ll just call a cab

The door barely cracked open before his hand wrapped around her wrist, firm but not forceful, pulling her back before she could step out.

Off balance, she stumbled–and landed right in his arms.

His voice rumbled against the top of her head, a quiet amusement laced beneath the words. “If you’re jealous, just say it. I like it when you’re jealous?

“I’m not, she bit out, trying to push away from him, but his hold was unyielding

“Careful,” he murmured, the deep timbre of his voice dipping into something darker, something more dangerous. “If you keep moving like that, I can’t promise I’ll behave.

Her breath caught, heat rushing to her face as she abruptly stopped struggling, suddenly all too aware of the closeness, the warmth of his body pressed against hers.

Silence stretched between them.

Hailey barely breathed, her heart pounding hard enough.

After a beat, his grip loosened.

Seizing the opportunity, she pushed away, scrambling back into her seat, her face burning as she averted her gaze. “I’ll just get a cab.”

Owen reached for her wrist again. His voice was quieter but no less firm. “Relax. I won’t do anything.”

Hailey pressed her lips together.

He leaned back, swallowing as he loosened his tie with one hand. The fabric slid open, revealing the sharp cut of his collarbones that was, frankly, unfairly distracting.

Hailey’s gaze flicked away immediately.

A soft chuckle escaped him before he reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.

With a tap, a familiar voice filled the car.

“Just take care of Grandma. No need to worry about me. Oh, by the way, Jeanie–there’s a coffee shop near the hospital entrance. Do you like that sort of thing?”

What are you even talking about? Who’s Jeanie? I mean, I don’t even like coffee, but if you’re offering,

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Chapter 34

cut

slow, dawning comprehension settled over

knew you were there. That’s why I said it–I wanted to see if you’d

emotions tangled in a knot

what

test and it

sharp, inexplicable irritation that she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge.

“Childish,” she muttered.

it got me

leaned in slightly, smiling. “At least now,

countered instantly. “You’re imagining things.”

chuckled softly, reaching out to tap her forehead

always do this? Pretend you

what I want from a relationship, you can’t give

slightly, eyes dark and unreadable. “And what is it that you

5

her expression steady. “If you weren’t Owen–the head of the Calhoun family, powerful, untouchable– if you were just some regular guy, a college student,

bored of me, I could use

in before continuing. “But you’re not ordinary. You don’t need anyone. And if

handle detachment well. When I fall, I fall hard. And I’m not willing to gamble with something I can’t afford

finally spoke, his voice was lower, more restrained. “You don’t believe in yourself,

think I wouldn’t love you as much as you love me? What happened

the betrayals, the deception, the kind of hatred

something she could

matter,” she said softly. “What matters is that I don’t play games I know

jaw tensed, but he didn’t

neither of them

last, he broke the silence.

you home.”

lowered her gaze, nodding faintly.

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Chapter 34

it’s enough to make him give up. Maybe this is where we

of the ride was silent. Neither of them spoke, and before long, the car rolled to a stop

as she reached for the door handle, his voice broke the quiet.

caught off guard. “That’s not necessary. I can go

left no room for