The Forgotten Luna by Cassandra M

Hailey drew a steadying breath, forcing her voice to remain cảm. “I won’t adunk to vanething I didn’t do if Alice weste so come after me, let her try, though I doubt she will: Her lips curled in marthless side. “Attar all, for oxble Mice Giffe would never stoop to petty revenge against someone like me?

She turned and froze, Raphael stood a few paces behind her, his gaze fackering, blty to Owen before setting on her Without a word, Hailey brushed past him and urode down the contido

Raphael followed silently,

Back in her ward, Hailey collapsed onto the bed, her shoulders saying, as the adrenaline drited away, Raphael cloxed the door and pulled up a chair beside her, “I trust you, he said simply

Hailey let out a hollow laugh. “Trust what?”

He looked deep into her eyes. “That you wouldn’t hurt anyone like that?

“But you barely know me, she countered, swiping at her damp lashes. “How can you be so sure after just a few meetings?

“Anyway, you’re definitely not the type to scheme behind someone’s back His certainty was unshakable.

She was deeply touched by the kindness carried in his voice. A tear streamed down, then another. “You believe me, she whispered, “but after all that time together, he didn’t. How pathetic is that?”

Raphael said nothing, just handed her a tissue. When her tears only fell faster, he stopped trying to stem them and let her cry herself out.

Hailey hated the way her face burned with humiliation. She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes until the tears stopped flowing.

Raphael studied her tear–streaked face and grinned. “Hey, look at your face. It looks really bad”

Hailey glared at him angrily. “Shut up!”

“Alright, alright.” His tone softened. “Tired now? Want some water?

her head, sniffling. “I want to

He stood. “Goodnight.”

also replied softly with her eyes closed, “Goodnight.”

Raphael lay awake in the other bed, staring at the ceiling until

throat raw from coughing. She barely made it through breakfast before surrendering to a pile of

have a bad cold.” Raphael diagnosed, handing her another tissue box.

her streaming eyes. “I shouldn’t have gone out in

out pills and water like a resigned nurse. Hailey swallowed them obediently before slumping

screenwriting team. Her assistant had delivered her laptop earlier, and soon Hailey was immersed in script revisions, her earlier distress forgotten in

4 Apr

Chapter 109

morning. Hailey was especially engrossed in her

a proper meal. He believed that his own cooking was much cleaner and more nutritious

down the hallway. The air between the two

bypass him. Raphael smoothly reached his arm and blocked his path. “Mr. Calhoun,” he said in a

voice

now,” Raphael countered, his smile never wavering, “And frankly? I don’t think she will want to see you.”

you two together? Owen

carefully. “What do you think? Last night, when Halley was so down, who stayed with her? When she collapsed from fever, who brought her here? What exactly

jaw tightened. Through the door’s window, he glimpsed Hailey, who looked vigorous and engaged with her laptop, color back in her cheeks. The sight struck him like a blow. Perhaps some gaps could never be bridged.

care of her, Owen muttered at

your reminders. I’ll do far better than

last look at the ward, Owen left without another word, his footsteps echoing hollowly down the corridor. From his back, Raphael felt an intuition that there must be something else behind it. But he didn’t bother to know more.