Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19 So Dawn’s Got Herself a Boyfriend Now

Chapter 19 So Dawn’s Got Herself a Boyfriend Now

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Ethan, towering at 6’2“, stood with Dawn, who was only 5’5“, in his arms. She barely reached his

chest.

The hug didn’t last long, but as Dawn took a deep breath, she caught a faint scent of wood in the air.

Ethan had changed–he smelled different now, and in a good way.

The thought made her heart race, so she quickly averted her gaze.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back today? I could’ve picked you up.”

“Honestly, I just wanted you to come downstairs and see me instead.”

Ethan glanced at her ears, now faintly flushed, then looked down, a smile tugging at his lips. When his eyes landed on the red marks on her hand, his expression hardened. “What happened here?”

Dawn glanced at her hand and instinctively tried to hide it behind her back. “It’s nothing … just a scratch from a branch.”

Ethan shot her a disbelieving look but said nothing. Without warning, he gently pulled her hand out from behind her.

“You expect me to believe a branch did this?” His voice was firm. “Did you fall into a pile of thorns?”

Frozen, Dawn struggled to come up with an explanation, but Ethan didn’t give her a chance. He took her hand and led her to the car, telling the driver, “Take us to the nearest pharmacy.”

Her hand still held firmly in his.

She felt uneasy, shifting a little, but Ethan tightened his grip as though he wasn’t about to let her go.

“I’m really fine. It’ll heal in a couple of days.”

Ethan looked at her, slumped in her seat, her posture making her seem like a child caught doing something wrong.

He sighed quietly, his fingers giving hers a gentle squeeze. “Be good. Even if it’s nothing serious, you need to apply some medicine. What if you get rabies?”

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Chapter 19 So Dawn’s Got Herself a Boyfriend Now

Rabies? He’s practically calling Sydney a dog.

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Dawn froze, her eyes wide. She looked up, but Ethan’s face was dead serious, offering no sign of mockery.

The pharmacy wasn’t far from Pettington’s bustling district. When the car stopped, Ethan released her hand and said, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Dawn nodded and watched him step out.

Her palms were sweaty, despite the cold, and she took a deep breath. Why do I feel so nervous around him? It’s ridiculous–we’ve known each other for years.

But this time, it feels different. This time, I feel tense just talking to him. Maybe it’s just because we’ve been apart for so long. Once we get used to each other again, it’ll be fine.

In less than ten minutes, Ethan returned with the medicine.

His long, nimble fingers opened the package and prepared a cotton swab for her to hold, ready to apply the iodine and ointment.

All Dawn could see was the sharp line of his nose and his focused expression, his every movement so careful, as though she were something fragile he needed to protect.

“All done.”

Ethan looked up, and their eyes met. Dawn found herself frozen, trapped in the depths of his dark pupils, seeing her own reflection.

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

A long, low sigh escaped Ethan as his hand reached up to gently cover her eyes.

“Dawn,” he murmured, his voice soft, “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Okay.”

Dawn quickly turned her face away, thinking she had been rude and probably offended him. “Thanks, Ethan.”

Seeing her obvious attempt to avoid him, Ethan couldn’t help but smile, a mix of affection and bittersweet understanding in his gaze. Anna was right–this girl has a long way to go before she can truly accept our relationship.

Ethan had rushed back, and his house was still a mess. He’d have to stay in a hotel for now. But

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Chapter 19 So Dawn’s Got Herself a Boyfriend Now

since Dawn was leaving anyway, there was no need to deal with it.

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He drove her back to the Osbornes‘ house, walking her to the door before taking the scarf from around his neck and tying it gently around hers. “Get some rest. I’ll pick you up

tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“Try to keep your left hand dry. It’ll heal faster that way.”

“Okay.”

Ethan watched her nod obediently, and after a moment, a playful grin appeared on his face.

Dawn, puzzled, glanced at him. “Why are you smiling?”

He was thinking about the troubles Dawn would get into when she was a kid. Those people probably saw her innocent look and thought she was harmless and a pushover. “I was just thinking …‘

His voice trailed off as he casually tousled her hair. “Nothing. Go inside. You’ve had a day.”

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The cold December air wrapped around them as Dawn climbed the stairs. She hurried to the window and peeked out, not surprised to see Ethan still standing outside, watching her.

Quickly, she pulled back, her heart racing.

After taking a few moments to steady herself, she returned to the couch, pretending everything was fine. She sent Ethan a message. “I’m going to bed now. You should rest too.”

Ethan wrote back, “Okay.”

A while later, another message came through. “I’ll be taking you to meet someone in Trifton

tomorrow.”

Dawn assumed he meant a friend, so she replied briefly before continuing to pack.

She didn’t have much to pack. The only real question was how to say goodbye to the Osbornes. She decided she would just tell them she had to leave early for her job.

She would tell them about the wedding later.

The next morning, Sandra came upstairs to call her for breakfast. Upon seeing the suitcase by the door, she sighed. “Dawn, what’s going on? You said things were going well between you and Austin. Why are you suddenly leaving?”

O

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Chapter 19 So Dawn’s Got Herself a Boyfriend Now

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Dawn wrapped her arm around her mother’s shoulder and reassured her, “Mom, Uncle Austin and I didn’t fight.”

It’s just that we can’t live in peace anymore.

“I need to leave and start work. It’s my first job, and I need to prepare properly.”

Sandra seemed half–convinced. “Really?”

“Of course,” Dawn replied, nodding. “I’ll come back to visit once I’m settled, okay?”

After calming Sandra down, Dawn’s next task was telling Jessica, which turned out to be easier than she expected.

Ethan’s car waited at the corner. She finished breakfast and grabbed her suitcase, walking out. The driver immediately got out to help.

Jessica, standing by the door to see her off, watched the scene unfold. She raised a hand to stop Sandra and Harry from following. “Wait! Let me see who that is … ”

It was too far to see his face, but his figure stood out–tall and well–built.

A smile spread across Jessica’s face. “I see! So Dawn’s got herself a boyfriend now. No wonder she’s so eager to leave. I’m glad. It was about time she started dating.”

Sandra and Harry exchanged glances but said nothing.

Dawn didn’t notice they had caught on. As she got into the car, she stared out the window, lost in thought.

After leaving this place, I might return, and I might still keep in touch with Mom and Dad, but my relationship with Austin is finally coming to an end.

The car drove a considerable distance before Dawn’s phone rang.

Austin’s voice rang out, cold and sharp. “Dawn, come over and apologize to Sydney right now, or I won’t be able to protect you if she calls the police.”

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