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 if you’re offering, I guess

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Chapter 34

cut off.

and a slow, dawning

expression nonchalant. “I knew you were there.

in a knot too tight

what this

a test and

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

“Childish,” she muttered.

it got me what

smiling. “At least now, I

she countered instantly. “You’re imagining things.”

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

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

“Owen… what I want from a relationship, you

dark and unreadable. “And

5

the Calhoun family, powerful, untouchable– if you were just some regular guy, a college

me, I could use money

ordinary. You don’t need anyone. And if you ever

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

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

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

experienced the betrayals, the deception, the kind of hatred that ran too deep

none of that was something she

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

sharply. His jaw tensed,

a while, neither of them spoke.

he broke the

you home.”

lowered her gaze, nodding faintly.

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Chapter 34

this time, it’s enough to make him give up. Maybe this is

Neither of them spoke, and before long, the car rolled to a stop outside her place.

for the door handle, his voice broke

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

His tone left no room for argument.