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.”

softly with her eyes closed,

lights switched off, Hailey surrendered to exhaustion soon. Across the room, Raphael lay awake in the other

a faucet, her throat raw from

diagnosed, handing her

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

a resigned nurse. Hailey swallowed them obediently before slumping against

was a video call from her screenwriting team. Her assistant had delivered her laptop earlier, and soon Hailey was immersed in script revisions, her earlier distress forgotten in the creative

4 Apr

Chapter 109

Hailey was especially engrossed in her creation and could not sense her surroundings

out to prepare a proper meal. He believed

he stepped out of the ward, he nearly collided with Owen striding down the hallway. The air between the two men crackled with

a weighted silence, Owen moved to bypass him. Raphael smoothly reached his arm and blocked his path. “Mr. Calhoun,” he said in a friendly tone, “Hailey’s occupied at the moment. I’m afraid you

Owen’s voice was Arctic.

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

you two together? Owen suddenly

He chose his words carefully. “What do you think? Last night, when Halley was so down, who stayed with her?

with her laptop, color back in her cheeks.

of her, Owen

your reminders. I’ll do far better

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