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?”

Richard’s bewildered voice. “What? What are you even talking about? Who’s Jeanie? I mean, I don’t

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Chapter 34

cut

slow, dawning comprehension

there. That’s why I said

tangled in a knot too tight

that’s what this

test

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

“Childish,” she muttered.

nodded. “Maybe. But it got me what I wanted.”

least now, I know you

she countered instantly.

out to tap her forehead with his

you always do this? Pretend you don’t feel anything

“Owen… what I want from a relationship,

head tilted slightly, eyes dark and unreadable.

5

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

even if you got bored of me, I

anyone. And if you ever left me, it wouldn’t affect you. But I’m not

fall, I fall hard. And I’m not willing to gamble with something I

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

think I wouldn’t love you

hatred that ran too deep to ever be washed

something she could

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

His jaw tensed, but he didn’t argue.

while, neither of them

at last, he broke the silence. “I’ll

you home.”

her gaze,

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Chapter 34

him give up. Maybe this is where

of the ride was silent. Neither of them spoke, and before long, the car

handle, his voice broke

blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “That’s not necessary. I can

left no room