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?”

are you even talking about? Who’s Jeanie? I mean, I don’t even

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Chapter 34

cut off.

stared at him and a slow, dawning comprehension settled over

were there.

tangled in a knot too tight to unravel.

that’s what this was.

been a test and it had worked.

irritation that she hadn’t wanted to

“Childish,” she muttered.

“Maybe. But it got me

smiling. “At least

she countered instantly.

out to tap her forehead with his

you don’t feel anything when it’s

clenched her jaw, inhaling slowly before speaking. “Owen… what I want

eyes dark and unreadable. “And what is it that

5

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

got bored of me, I could use money to keep

You don’t need anyone. And if you ever

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

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

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

of hatred that ran too deep to ever be washed

none of that was something she could tell him.

she said softly. “What matters is that I

His jaw tensed, but

a while, neither of them spoke.

at last, he broke the silence. “I’ll

you home.”

her gaze,

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Chapter 34

‘Maybe this time, it’s enough to make him give up. Maybe this is where we end;

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

handle, his voice broke the quiet. “I’ll pick you

“That’s not necessary. I can go on my own.”

left no room for argument.