Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 226

The moment the last person left, Jonathan fixed his stare on Dawn.

"Have you been busy?"

"Just the usual kind of busy," she answered.

She stayed at a careful distance, her posture neat and composed, like she was speaking to someone older in the family rather than a man from her past.

Her voice dropped soft. "Jonathan, is something wrong?"

"Nothing serious."

He never looked away from her. His voice was deep and filled the space between them. "I only wanted to know when you might be free. I'd like to take you out for dinner."

Dawn pressed her lips together and didn't reply.

She didn't understand why he wanted to take her out.

So many years had passed, and they'd barely even spoken back then.

"You mean with Ethan and the others too?" She forced a little laugh. "He hasn't been busy lately. You should probably check with their schedules first."

"No."

The word landed sharp and cold. "Just you."

Dawn froze. Jonathan's voice lowered, heavy and unyielding. "What I mean is I want to have dinner with you alone."

Her hand tightened into a fist at her side before she even realized it.

She took a moment to gather herself, then tried to make light of it. "Jonathan, you'll be disappointed. Ethan never lets me out of his sight. Wherever I go, he goes too."

Her words made it clear she and Ethan were bound as husband and wife.

Jonathan rubbed his fingers together, his lips curling into a smile that revealed nothing. "That works too. As long as you don't mind him finding out a few things."

Her mouth went dry.

She thought she had nothing to hide, but the way he said it made her feel as if she did.

When she looked up, his eyes were filled with open amusement. Her patience snapped. "Jonathan, what exactly are you trying to say?"

He pressed his fingers tight together, his stare like a blade. It didn't pierce her skin, but it drove straight into her eyes.

He frowned, his voice sinking low. "Dawn, all I want is to share a meal with you."

"I don't want to share a meal with you."

She didn't see any reason to meet this man alone. She had plenty of friends already. "The only reason I'm still standing here talking to you is because you're Ethan's friend. If you've got nothing else, then I'll just—"

"You still care."

His voice cut across hers, slow and certain.

It was not a question. It was a statement.

He pulled off his jacket, stepped forward, and set it over her shoulders.

Dawn moved to shrug it off, but his hand pressed on her shoulder, heavier than before. His voice rasped low. "It's cold. Don't get sick."

Her lips parted, but no words came.

Did he not hear anything I said?

When she stayed still, he let go at last.

He stood in nothing but a thin black shirt now, his tall frame sharp and rigid, his presence colder than before.

"If you don't want dinner, that's fine." Jonathan took out his phone, opened WhatsApp, and brought up the glowing QR code. "Add me. I don't use it much, but if you send something, I'll see it."

"I'm not going to text you."

"Maybe you will."

His voice stayed calm.

He held the screen closer, his long fingers steady. "Well?"

She knew if she didn't scan the code, he wouldn't let her leave.

Grinding her teeth, Dawn pulled up her scanner and did it. Her words dripped with scorn. "Jonathan, I didn't expect this. After all these years, you've only gotten more shameless."

Jonathan's face never shifted. "That part, I picked up from Ethan."