Chapter 110
Chapter 110
Both of them turned around at the same time.
Seizing the opportunity, Casey darted out from Ivan’s grasp and scurried behind Hailey like a startled rabbit.
650
Ivan sighed dramatically, eyeing Owen’s stony expression and Alice hovering behind him. “Well, this is awkward, he drawled. “Can anyone tell me who’s here for whom exactly?” Unaware of their breakup, Ivan glanced between the group, his brow quirking when Owen remained silent.
Owen ignored Ivan and said calmly, “Let’s go.”
Casey tugged Hailey’s sleeve. “What’s going on?”
Hailey’s gaze remained indifferent. “Nothing. We should go now.”
At that moment, Raphael walked out from the ward, carrying Hailey’s belongings. “All done,” he announced.
Casey blinked at the stranger. “Who’s this?”
Standing by Hailey, Raphael offered a warm smile at Casey, the picture of gentility in his overcoat. “My name is Raphael Park, Hailey’s friend.”
Casey managed a stiff “hello,” still processing the tension in the hallway.
Raphael pulled a scarf from the bag and carefully wrapped it around Hailey’s neck. “It’s freezing out outside. Don’t get cold again,” he murmured.
“Thanks, I know it,” Hailey said softly.
Ivan couldn’t resist needling. “What’s going on? Someone explain this soap opera. Owen, you gonna just stand there while your girl gets stolen?”
Raphael’s voice cooled. “Sir, you seem misinformed. They’re no longer together. This is made by Mr. Calhoun in person.” Ivan’s eyes narrowed, sizing up Raphael with open disdain. “Bet you had something to do with that.”
“Mind your accusations,” Raphael shot back, his usual warmth replaced by steel.
Ivan scoffed. His entire body was filled with displeasure. As the Gibbs heir, he wasn’t used to being challenged, at least not by anyone else except the old woman in his family.
“That’s enough. Raphael, let’s go,” Hailey interjected, gripping Raphael’s sleeve. Immediately, she felt Owen’s glacial stare bore into her. She looked up at Owen and ignored him.
Raphael relaxed at her touch. “Alright,” he said, guiding her toward the elevators.
“Running away so soon, Casey?” Ivan called after them, his tone teasing.
Casey kept her head down like a shy girl, pretending deafness as she trailed Hailey.
Ivan shook his head but let it go. Clearly, romance wasn’t on today’s agenda.
As the elevator door closed, Alice brightened. “We should go now. Since it’s lunchtime, why don’t we all eat together? To celebrate my discharge.”
Ivan shrugged. “Fine by me.”
Chapter 110
Alice turned eagerly to Gwen, hey eyes shining wings at you. Owerr
“Whatever he mured wardly
“What do you want to eat? 11 bride a place” Alice charged, modeserved by the word’s sletice
Neither of them spoke, each locking troubles
Feeling kind of awkward, Alice kawad an excum for himmelt. Why duft we go to the restaurant near the camput I haven’t exten patta there for a long time. We wed to go there often?
Owen still remained silent, Ivan smirked. “Sure, relive the glory days?
The three of them headed for the place for lunch, the very same one Owen had once taken Halley to. As they approached the entrance, Owen’s expression darkened further. “Let’s eat somewhere else,” he said abruptly, breaking his prolonged
silence.
“Why? What’s wrong?” Alice asked in confusion
Owen didn’t answer, already turning on his heel and leaving
Biting her lip in frustration, Alice hesitated.
Ivan, leaning against a lamppost with his usual lazy grace, smirked ‘Girl, if you’re serious about winning him over, maybe focus less on scheming against rivals. Owen is not a fool He knows everything”
Alice stiffened. She had chosen this spot deliberately, dearly aware of its significance, both as a relic of her school days and as a place Owen had shared with Hailey. To her, Hailey’s presence had tainted those memories, and she hoped to reclaim them today.
However, she did not expect Owen to leave so abruptly before he even entered
She felt that her thoughts had been seen through, but refused to acknowledge any fault. In her mind. Hailey was the outsider, the one who didn’t belong. No matter how wild her imagination was, what she conveniently ignored was that she and Owen had never actually been together.
They didn’t have lunch at last. Alice hastily selected another restaurant, but Owen just dropped them off and left with the excuse of work. Ivan, equally disinterested in dining with his cousin, hailed a cab to a bar instead, leaving Alice fuming on
the curb.
Meanwhile, Raphael drove Hailey home to pack for her stay with the Medranos. Though they would provide everything she needed, she still had to gather a few personal items.
After a simple tidying up, he sent the two of them to the entrance of the Medrano family.
On the way, Casey vented. “I’m afraid that you won’t have a good time here. Before I left home for the hospital, Aunt Catherine came back, just in time for your visit. She always picks the right time when you’ll be here. It’s like she has radar.” The scene where Catherine met Hailey in the Medrano family was still vivid in her mind.
Hailey smiled faintly. “This is also her family. She can come back whenever she likes.”
Casey launched into a tirade about how weird and eccentric her aunt was, while Hailey listened quietly. Despite the tension, Catherine’s apparent animosity toward Hailey’s late mother intrigued her. Perhaps the woman held clues about the past.
After dropping them at the Medrano family, Raphael left to handle pre–employment paperwork at the hospital. “Don’t forget your pills after the meal,” he reminded Hailey, his tone more personal than professional.
As his car drove away, Casey exclaimed, “He’s so attentive and considerate. Is he courting you?”
2/3
Chapter 110
“What are you talking about? Don’t be ridiculous,” Hailey laughed. “He’s a doctor, and this is the proper way a fourier deras a patient.”
Casey rolled her eyes. “That wasn’t a doctor’s tone. But seriously, do you like himp
Hailey exhaled. I’m not ready to think about that.”
“You should move on,” Casey insisted. “What a gorgeous doctor he is! That’s a catch You can’t let the opportunity dip wors Owen doesn’t deserve your pining. Just find someone new and make him mad”
