Chapter 7 Tatiana’s
Boyfriend
A tense silence stretched between them.
Owen, already running out of patience, was just about to dismiss her when Joanna hesitated, then asked, “When will Rhys and I get married?”
Whatever sympathy Owen might have felt for her evaporated in an instant. So that was it. After all her posturing, she was still eager to marry Rhys.
Disgust flickered across his face. Without a word, he turned and walked away.
Joanna felt a pang of regret.
She had wanted to confront Owen about what had happened between them last night. But the words refused to come out.
Owen was a businessman–one who had spent a hundred million dollars on the Powell family. There was no way a single night, no matter how shocking, would make him throw all that aside.
Bringing it up would only make her look foolish.
Still, at least his disdain meant she wouldn’t be forced to spend the night with Rhys.
Not wanting to push her luck, she slipped away into the night.
Inside the house, Rhys practically bounced with excitement. But when only Owen walked in, his face fell. “Where’s Joanna?”
Owen let out an exasperated sigh. “Joanna, Joanna–is that all you ever think about? Do you have anything else going on in that empty head of yours?”
Rhys rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. “Dad, don’t be mad. Joanna is pure and sweet. Once you really get to know her, you’ll like her.”
Owen resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “That girl isn’t as innocent as you think. Forget about the wedding–I won’t allow it.”
Rhys‘ smile vanished. “What?”
But then again… he was still Joanna’s legitimate boyfriend now, wasn’t he? He could just date her like a normal couple.
Before he could fully revel in that thought, Owen shut it down brutally. “Stop dreaming. Until you cut ties with those shady
friends of yours, you’re not going anywhere.”
Having spent three years abroad, Owen had neglected Rhys‘ upbringing, only to return and find that his son was running
with the wrong crowd–people involved with drugs. This was no longer just about discipline. It was a problem that needed fixing.
Rhys‘ expression crumpled. “Dad, please don’t do this!”
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Chapter 7 Tatiana’s Boyfriend
But Owen had already dismissed him, heading upstairs.
Later that night, after finishing his work, Owen checked his phone. Several unread messages blinked on the screen.
All from Tatiana.
Once he confirmed that the lost meal card belonged to her, he had arranged to meet her in person.
She hadn’t been what he expected.
Flirtatious. Coy. Just another girl hoping to seduce him. He had seen her type before, and frankly, he found it unimpressive.
Still, since it had been her first time, he had casually promised her a favor. And she had used it to ask for one thing.
She wanted to be his girlfriend.
It was just a title.
Since she wanted it so badly, he had given it to her.
But in reality, any flicker of interest he might have had in her had long since faded.
While Owen thought about everything, his phone buzzed again with more messages from Tatiana—this time, selfies. Heavy
makeup. Overdone. Cheap.
“It’s late. Take off your makeup and get some sleep. Bad skin isn’t a good look on anyone.” He replied with a voice message. Then, without a second thought, he muted her notifications.
Meanwhile, Joanna took an Uber back to campus.
The moment she stepped into the dorm, an excited shriek filled the air. Tatiana sat on her bed, clutching her phone like a prized possession. “Ahhh! He cares about me!”
Two of their roommates immediately crowded around, beaming. “Tatiana, your boyfriend really dotes on you!”
“I’m so jealous. When am I going to find someone like that?”
Joanna took it all in silently. So Tatiana was dating someone now. No wonder she hadn’t been upset about the missing
meal card.
“Joanna, come here! You have to hear my boyfriend’s voice. Isn’t it dreamy?”
The lovestruck girl was dying to show off her new–found love to everyone.
Joanna was about to throw out a few polite compliments to humor her.
But when the deep, familiar voice played, she froze.
“It’s late. Take off your makeup and get some sleep. Bad skin isn’t a good look on anyone.”
She knew that voice. It was Owen’s.
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