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?”

Jeanie? I mean, I don’t even like coffee, but

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Chapter 34

recording cut off.

a slow, dawning comprehension settled over

nonchalant. “I knew you were there. That’s why I said it–I wanted to

knot too tight

that’s what this was.

been a test

that sharp, inexplicable irritation

“Childish,” she muttered.

“Maybe. But it got me what

least now, I know you care.”

countered instantly. “You’re

to tap her forehead with his fingertip. “Such a little

do you always do this? Pretend you don’t feel anything when it’s

before speaking. “Owen… what I want from a

eyes dark and unreadable. “And

5

gaze, her expression steady. “If you weren’t Owen–the head of the Calhoun family, powerful, untouchable– if you were just

me, I could use money to keep

don’t need anyone. And if you

I fall hard. And I’m not willing to gamble with something I can’t afford to

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

you so sure I’d leave? Why do you think I wouldn’t love you as much as you love

kind of hatred that

that was something she could tell

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

jaw tensed, but he didn’t argue.

neither

last, he broke the

you home.”

gaze,

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Chapter 34

make him give up. Maybe this is where we

them spoke, and before long,

reached for the door handle, his voice broke the quiet. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow.

blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “That’s not necessary. I can go on my own.”

His tone left