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?

sniffling.

He stood. “Goodnight.”

also replied softly with her eyes closed,

Across the room, Raphael lay awake in the other bed, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

throat raw from coughing.

bad cold.” Raphael diagnosed, handing her

“I shouldn’t have gone out in just that thin

resigned nurse. Hailey swallowed them obediently before slumping

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

4 Apr

Chapter 109

engrossed in her creation and

out to prepare a proper meal. He believed

the hallway. The air between the two men crackled with unspoken

arm and blocked his path. “Mr. Calhoun,” he said in

voice

smile never wavering, “And frankly? I don’t think she will want

you two together?

was so down, who stayed with her? When she collapsed from fever, who brought her here? What exactly

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

care of her, Owen

need for your reminders. I’ll do far better than

one 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. After all, the less