Chapter 33
The hospital’s back garden was quiet in the evening.
Owen stood alone, his tall, lean figure effortlessly commanding attention.
There was something about the way he carried himself–an air of quiet solitude.
A few nurses lingered nearby, their shifts technically over, yet none of them were in a hurry to leave.
After all, no one would willingly walk away from such a handsome man.
From a short distance away, Hailey watched him, pressing her lips together in a small, hesitant gesture.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping forward.
She had almost reached him when his phone rang.
Pausing instinctively, she decided to wait until he finished his call before approaching.
“I’m at the hospital,” Owen said in that deep, steady voice of his. “Something came up, but I’ll be home soon.”
“Just take care of Grandma. No need to worry about me.” He hesitated for a beat before adding, “Oh, by the way, Jeanie- there’s a coffee shop near the hospital entrance. Do you like that sort of thing?”
The name sent a sharp jolt through Hailey’s chest.
Her throat tightened as if she had swallowed something too large to go down. Suddenly, standing there felt foolish, as though she were an uninvited spectator in someone else’s life.
She thought bitterly, ‘So, he’s like this with everyone!
A sharp, inexplicable pang hit Hailey’s chest, dragging her mood down in an instant.
The feeling came so suddenly–this dull, aching kind of disappointment–that she didn’t even know how to react. She was like a child caught off guard by emotions too big to handle.
She had no right to question him and no reason to be upset.
After all, she was the one who had turned him down.
If he had moved on, she had no right to care.
Still, despite all the logic she threw at herself, the unexpected sting of it all was undeniable.
Forcing a smile she knew probably looked terrible, she turned on her heel and walked away before he could see the turmoil in her expression.
“What?” Richard frowned at his phone, confused. “What are you even talking about? Who’s Jeanie? I mean, I don’t even like coffee, but if you’re offering, I guess I could-”
“Get lost,” Owen replied.
The line went dead.
Richard stared at his phone, baffled. “What the hell did I do?”
Owen pocketed his phone and turned, catching sight of a familiar figure disappearing into the shadows. A slow, knowing
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smile played on his lips
He thought, Laude coward. She could’ve just asked
By the time Owen returned to the hospital room, Christopher was already asleep.
Earlier, Christopher had called Quilla to reassure her, telling her he’d be staying with Owen for a few days and that there was nothing wo worry about.
Given how much trust she placed in Owen, she hadn’t pressed for details. Instead, she had merely told him to take care and enjoy himself
As for Dorian, Owen had personally handled the conversation with his parents. Upon learning that Dorian was spending time with Owen, they had assumed Owen saw potential in Dorian and were more than eager for them to grow closer.
The bruises would take at least a week to fade.
If Quilla ever found out how badly Christopher had been treated under the Calhoun roof, the decades–long friendship between the two families would be in serious jeopardy.
After some deliberation, they reached a decision–Christopher would stay at one of Owen’s private estates to recover. To case any suspicions, they would simply tell Quilla that Christopher had made some new friends and wanted to spend a few days relaxing.
Though Quilla had her doubts, she ultimately trusted Owen’s judgment and didn’t push the issue.
Over the next week, Hailey examined Christopher’s injured leg. Her movements were steady and professional, enough that even Christopher, who had been visibly uneasy at first, finally began to relax.
Though most of the nerve damage was irreversible, she discovered a few areas that still had a chance of recovery. However, attempting to restore function would require a series of high–risk surgeries.
“If we go through with this and it fails,” she told him, her voice even, “then there’s no coming back from it. You’ll lose whatever chance you have left,”
Christopher exhaled slowly, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Honestly? I’ve got nothing to lose. Either way, I’m stuck like this.”
“Trust me, she said simply.
It was the only reassurance she offered.
After a moment of consideration, Christopher nodded.
“The equipment I ordered will be here tomorrow,” she continued. “Would you rather have the first procedure done here or back at the Blackwell estate?”
Christopher hesitated, then glanced toward Owen. “Mr. Calhoun, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d prefer to do it here–if that’s alright with you.”
Still, something was gnawing at the back of his mind.
Owen’s girlfriend was treating another man, and he was the one providing the space for it. No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t sit right.
And Owen was powerful, calculating, the kind of man who never ended up on the losing side—just made things even more absurd.
By the doorway, Owen stood motionless, his face unreadable.
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Chapter 33
A brief silence stretched between them before Owen finally spoke.
Christopher swallowed.
The silence stretched a little too long before Owen’s lips finally curved, just slightly. His voice was smooth, almost amused. “Of course.”
Hailey blinked, mildly surprised. He was unusually accommodating.
Regardless of the reason, she couldn’t deny that Owen’s estate was the best possible setting–secluded, peaceful, and ideal for recovery.
And now, she owed him yet another favor.
Hailey let out a quiet breath. ‘Great. Another favor I’ll have to repay. How the hell am I supposed to even score this time?
Owen turned to her. “It’s late. Let me take you home.”
She nodded. “Alright.”
They left the villa together.
For the first time in a week, they were alone.
Owen had been busy, stopping by the estate only briefly before disappearing again.
Hailey immediately picked up on the change in him. His attitude toward her felt different.
In the enclosed space of his car, Hailey was acutely aware of just how long it had been since they had spent any real time together.
As she stepped into the car, the air inside was filled with his presence—calm and controlled. It made her feel steady and safe. But it made her heart beat just too fast.
As always, Owen reached over to fasten her seatbelt for her. The brush of his fingers against her hand sent an unexpected jolt through her, and before she could stop herself, she caught his wrist.
Outside, the weather had taken a sharp turn toward autumn. Inside, his hands were cool against her skin.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low.
She wanted to smack herself. ‘So embarrassing,‘ she thought.
“You should keep warmer,” she blurted out instead.
Owen arched a brow, but he didn’t pull away. “Then warm them for me.”
Realizing what she had just invited, she immediately let go, turning her face toward the window. “Forget it. Ask someone else to do it.”
The sharpness in her voice, the barely concealed hint of jealousy—it was impossible to miss.
Owen’s lips curled slightly. “You think I’d let anyone else do that for me?”
