Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 228

When Dawn gave it a real thought, she realized there wasn't a single warm impression of him in her mind.

Her eyes locked with his, but there was nothing she could read in him.

Micah looked like any ordinary teenager on the outside, yet he was harder to understand than Ethan himself.

The man behind the wheel barely twitched. When the photo came into view, his gaze dipped dark for an instant before slipping back into its calm, steady rhythm, as if the whole thing was not worth his attention.

Micah clearly hated that reaction. His brows drew tight. "Wait, you're just letting her off the hook?"

"This is between us."

Ethan turned his head, his glance sharp with warning. "If you want to sit down to dinner with us, then you'd better stay quiet. Don't go looking for trouble, or ..." His voice cut, cold and precise.

"Micah, I can keep you away from Dawn, and I can send you back just as easily."

The car rolled forward, but the air inside pressed heavy, every breath edged with tension.

Dawn stole a look at the boy from the corner of her eye, then pulled her gaze away fast.

Her feelings toward Micah tangled tight. From the first time they met, she had felt like she had seen him before, yet when she tried to place him, all she found was the face of a stranger. Every meeting felt like the first.

It was simple enough to say she disliked him.

Yet people never stayed blind to beauty.

Micah's face looked almost too perfect. Unless he crossed a line that couldn't be forgiven, it was hard to stir up real hatred for him.

The problem was that whenever he showed a trace of charm, he followed it with two things that made her grit her teeth.

As their destination drew near, Andy's message popped up on her screen, asking if Micah was with her.

Dawn lifted her head and caught sight of him through the mirror.

He stared at the window while the sharp wind rushed through, tossing his hair into a wild tangle. His thin frame leaned back, careless, untamed, full of a restless spirit.

She looked down and typed a simple yes.

Andy's reply came fast. "Micah grew up too free overseas. He acts without restraint. If he crosses the line, you tell me."

Dawn gave a small scoff.

What good will it do?

Micah didn't even blink beneath Ethan's crushing presence. Andy, far softer by nature, would never frighten him. If anything, that would push him further out of line.

She tossed out a quick reply before the car slid into the parking garage.

Ethan reached for her hand like he always did when they stepped out.

Before Dawn could open her mouth, a sharp snort cut the air beside her.

She turned, and of course, there he was—the boy who never stayed quiet long enough to be ignored.

She lifted her chin with intention.

"What are we eating? I haven't had Cretelese food in ages. I want some soup tonight."

Ethan hadn't answered when Micah cut her off, scowling. "No. I want fondue."

"Then you can have fondue alone."

Ethan watched her cheeks puff with defiance, his gaze softening until it brimmed over. She's adorable.

Micah turned his head toward Ethan, and his eyes flickered in awkwardness.

"I wasn't talking about her."

Dawn nearly laughed in frustration.

They walked inside and ordered some food.

Micah's spoiled side showed in full force. He waved off one dish after another. It took 20 minutes just to lock down a few items.

"And no chestnut for the soup. I'm allergic."

He shoved the tablet back at the waiter.

Dawn blinked. "You're allergic to chestnuts?"

"Yeah. You got a problem with that?"

"No problem."

She only found it strange. She had shared the same allergy since childhood. The doctor had said her system might outgrow it, but she had never dared eat them since.

Ethan had been skimming through emails, but her words pulled his eyes up. His gaze swept over the two of them, thoughtful.

Same age. Same allergy.

Even their tempers mirrored one another.

And their faces ...