Chapter 108
Hailey stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the two of them as the light in her eyes slowly dimmed. She made no attempt to run because there was no point.
Owen had noticed her the moment he stepped out of the ward, yet he deliberately looked through her as if she were invisible.
“You should go back,” Alice said softly, her expression tender. “It’s too late, and you have work tomorrow.”
Owen gave a noncommittal hum in response.
When Alice turned and spotted Hailey, she feigned surprise. “Miss Dalton? What brings you here?”
“Just a slight fever,” Hailey replied with a polite smile.
Alice’s face immediately morphed into concern. “What? I’m sorry to hear that. Have you recovered now?”
Hailey nodded. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Alice pressed a hand to her chest in exaggerated relief before sighing. “I just had a minor headache from the rain earlier. It was not a big deal, but Owen insisted on bringing me to the hospital. I had no choice. Her lips curled into a smug smile, eyes gleaming with triumph.
“Is that so? How considerate of him,” Hailey remarked dryly, shifting her attention to Owen. But he remained silent, already stepping away.
“I’ll be going,” he said, addressing only Alice.
Alice nodded and smiled sweetly. “Be careful on the way.”
Without a backward glance, Owen strode off, Richard trailing behind him.
Hailey turned to leave as well.
“Miss Dalton,” Alice called out, her tone suddenly cooler. “Do you want a chat?”
Hailey paused, then smirked. “Why not?”
Alice’s ward was quiet, except for the air conditioner’s faint hum. Alice handed Hailey a cup of water, and the two stood by the window, the city lights stretching endlessly below them.
“Owen is quite a good partner, isn’t he?” Alice began, her voice laced with faux casualness.
Hailey sipped her water and remained silent.
Alice continued, “I said I had a faint headache these days and that I was fine. All it took was one sneeze, just one, and he rushed me here. These days, considerate men like him are rare to see.”
“Miss Gibbs, what do you mean? Please get to the point.” Hailey was growing impatient.
Alice stepped closer and smiled with smugness. “I mean, since you and Owen are over, his matters have nothing to do with you anymore, right? So, shouldn’t you keep a distance? It’s only proper.”
Hailey laughed outright. “Miss Gibbs, let me guess. You think it’s my trick that we met twice today?”
“Can you blame me?” Alice arched a brow. “Once might be a coincidence. Twice is deliberate.”
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Chapter 108
“Stop overthinking.” Hailey tilted her head, her pallid face still radiating an unshakable poise. “Now that we’re done, we’re done. Your relationship with him is none of my concern. Frankly, this little performance of yours reeks of insecurity.”
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After a short while of pause, she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Tell me, Alice, are you that terrified we’ll get back together?”
Alice’s composure cracked. For all her posturing, she couldn’t fathom how Hailey could still command the room with such effortless authority. The realization stung. Her expression stiffened slightly.“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Oh, but you are insecure, aren’t you?” Hailey’s grin turned knife–sharp. “You’re dying to know why we broke up. Because if you knew, you could weaponize it to ensure we will never reconnect.” She shrugged. “Save your breath. I see right through you. Drop the act, we both know who you really are.”
Alice’s face darkened for a split second before she forced a laugh. “You’re right. Why pretend before you? We both want the same man. Now that you’re out of the picture, if you want him back, may the best woman win. She tilted her head, her smile turning venomous. “But do you really think I invited you here just for this little chat?”
Hailey’s brows drew together.
In one swift motion, Alice grabbed Hailey’s wrist and violently shoved herself backward straight into the sharp edge of a bedside table. The impact split her forehead open, blood instantly welling from the wound.
“What the hell is going on?” The man’s cold questioning voice came from the door.
The icy voice made Hailey whirl around. Owen stood there, his coat still damp from the rain, his expression glacial. The look he gave her was one she’d never seen before, as if she were a stranger.
Hailey took an involuntary step back, her gaze darting between Alice’s bleeding forehead and Owen’s frozen glare. “I didn’t push her,” was all she managed, her voice thin with disbelief.
Alice clutched her head, whimpering with pain. “It hurts.”
Owen shouldered past Hailey without a word, scooping Alice up and carrying her onto the bed. He turned to and roared at Richard, who stood gaping by the door. “Get a doctor!”
Nodding violently, Richard snapped to attention and bolted from the room.
Alice, now ghostly pale, feebly caught Owen’s sleeve. “Owen, don’t blame Hailey. It was an accident. I lost my balance.”
Owen’s eyes flicked to Hailey, who stood motionless by the window, her face a mask of detached calm. He said nothing, merely adjusting Alice’s pillow. “Have a break.”
When the doctor rushed in moments later, Owen finally released Alice’s hand. Hailey seized the opportunity to leave, and he followed her into the hallway.
She stopped, her voice arctic. “Was there something else, Mr. Calhoun?”
Owen’s jaw tightened. “You owe her an apology.”
For a moment, Hailey thought she had misheard. Surprised, she turned back. “Excuse me?”
His tone remained infuriatingly level. “Apologize to Alice.”
A disbelieving laugh escaped her. “I didn’t lay a finger on her. Why the hell should I apologize?”
“Who can prove that?” Owen countered. “It was just the two of you in there.”
Hailey pursed her lips. She threw herself into that table!”
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Chapter 108
“Do you honestly expect anyone to believe that?” Owen’s voice dropped, as if explaining basic logic to a child. “She’s the Gibbs family’s treasured granddaughter. Even if she is not the heir, their influence is undeniable. Do you really want to make an enemy of them?”
“That’s none of your concern.” Hailey’s vision blurred with angry tears, but she refused to let them fall. “I won’t admit to something I didn’t do. If you’ve chosen her side, just say it outright. Don’t insult me with this fake caring. It’s disgusting.”
Owen’s lips pressed into a hard line. His eyes, dark and fathomless, held hers without wavering.
