Chapter 72
She still has the cheek to say that I’m domineering?‘ Owen thought.
Owen was so angered, he nearly lost control.
“Hailey’s been doing something so dangerous behind my back and now she wants to end things? If I don’t take a stronger stance, she’ll just keep doing whatever she wants, he thought.
Hailey took a deep breath and said coldly. “We’re not compatible. Let’s break up
“In what ways are we incompatible?” Owen smiled lightly, raising his hand and loosening the collar of his shirt, revealing his exquisite collarbone and a particularly sensual Adam’s apple.
He sat on his side and his gaze landed on her face. Owen, usually calm and composed, exuded a captivating allure tonight, a hint of mischief embedded in his very being.
He asked, “Is it the size that’s wrong?”
Hailey was taken aback. She looked up at Owen in disbelief, unable to process that he had just said something so inappropriate.
But combined with his noble and cold expression, the words strangely did not feel vulgar.
Hailey was momentarily speechless. She shot a furious glare at Owen and spat out, “Pervert!”
With that, she quickly opened the car door, trying to leave.
But before she could, Owen’s grip tightened around her wrist, pulling her back effortlessly. A smirk played on his lips. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop messing with you.”
Hailey’s cheeks puffed up in frustration, making her look adorably fierce
Owen, knowing how easily flustered she was, had purposely said those things just to lighten the mood.
“Why do you want to break up?” he asked seriously.
As the flush on Hailey’s face gradually faded, she lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.
Hailey exhaled slowly, her eyes meeting Owen’s with quiet determination. “I don’t let people affect me like this. But you make my heart uneasy, you disturb my peace. And that terrifies me. One day, I might lose all sense of reason because of you.
Owen.”
She hesitated before adding, “I fall easily when it comes to love, but I don’t know how deep your feelings for me go. Right now… you merely like me, but you don’t love me, right?”
Owen’s deep eyes bore into Hailey’s. “I won’t lie–right now, what I feel for you is merely like. I don’t know how long it will last, but if we let that fear keep us from even trying or giving this a shot, wouldn’t that make us cowards?”
Hailey pouted and mumbled, “You’re the coward, not ine.”
Owen let out a soft chuckle, reaching out to tousle Hailey’s hair before pulling her into his embrace. “I’m truly happy you’re telling me this. Hailey. Irmeans that I already hold an important place in your heart.”
Hailey blushed but did not refute him
That was indeed the case.
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Chapter 72
3 Apr
Hailey wanted to cut ties with Owen precisely because she had come to realize how much Owen meant to her.
Because if she let this bond grow, Owen would become her greatest weakness.
She could not afford to have any weaknesses if she were to pursue revenge.
“Hailey, I want to be the person you trust completely. I’m not some reckless kid who’s just caught up in the moment.
“Since I’ve chosen you, no matter how deep or light my feelings are, I will always be loyal to you. I will always yield to you” Owen’s voice was deep, firm, and reassuring.
Hailey’s eyes widened in shock.
Owen continued, “You’re a cautious person, I get that. I won’t pry into your past, and I understand that it’s not easy for you to let someone in. But Hailey, I’m here. I’m staying. I’ll take my time breaking down your walls, bit by bit.
“All
you have to do is stop running–stop trying to push me away.”
Hailey swallowed hard, unable to speak.
“You’re afraid because I’m stepping into your heart, and that makes you feel unsafe. That’s why you want to push me out But, Hailey, this is actually a good sign. It means our hearts are already drawing closer.” Owen smiled.
His voice was soft, yet it carried a warmth that pierced straight into Hailey’s heart.
Owen was truly a rational and patient man. Even when Hailey said she wanted to break up, he did not get angry. Instead, he carefully and tenderly unraveled the emotions she had buried deep inside.
Hailey had fought to keep Owen at bay, but his quiet determination wore down her defenses, melting the ice within her until she had no choice but to let him in.
“Aren’t you curious, Owen? Hailey asked.
“About what?” Owen replied.
“About how I can drive this well, why I’m so close to Joshua, and why–despite growing up in the countryside–I seem so at home here. Oh, and why I keep picking on Selena Aren’t you curious about all that?” Her eyes mirrored Owen’s reflection.
Owen stroked Hailey’s hair and smiled gently. “Yeah, I’m curious.”
“Then why didn’t you ask me?” Hailey asked.
“Compared to all that, I care more about you.” Owen pulled Hailey into his arms, gently running his hand through her hair. “All I need is to know that you’re mine.”
Hailey pressed her lips together, her eyes slightly red.
“That’s enough to make you emotional?” Owen lowered his head and gave her a peck on the lips. “You’re a little silly.”
Hailey sniffed, turning her face away, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “That’s not silly.”
Owen chuckled softly. “None of that matters. I won’t pry into your past. You can tell me when you’re ready”
Hailey gazed at him with seriousness. “Then let me share a secret with you first.”
“What secret?” Owen raised his eyebrows slightly.
“Actually, I’m River. I had my editor, Suzanne, sell the rights to your company,” Hailey said, her expression serious, with at hint of nervousness in her eyes.
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Chapter 72
“I’ve known about this for a long time.” Owen smiled.
Hailey was shocked. “You know about it?”
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Owen gave a nod, gently pinching her nose. “Do you really think I’m that easy to fool? Of course I’d look into things. I know my company well. With so many other great companies out there, why did the deal land in my hands?
“I had to investigate this mysterious author.”
“So you already knew it was me?” Hailey asked, a little annoyed. “I thought you had no idea.”
“Not right away. I did look into it, but it was more of a hunch at first. I didn’t have solid evidence. Your editor was tight- lipped, so I kept probing, but she didn’t give anything away.
“Then I discovered she’d been to Quailridge Town, and that’s where you’re from. Later on, I happened to run into you and Ms. Heywood having dinner, and that’s when I knew for sure,” Owen said.
“You ran into us? When was it?” Hailey asked.
Owen nodded. “Yeah. Do you remember the time you and Casey went to the bar? You were with Suzanne before that, right? I was at that hotel too.”
Hailey sighed. “Then why didn’t you ask me directly?”
“I didn’t want to force you,” Owen said,
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