Chapter 17
Before Jason could finish speaking, Naomi's phone rang. Nani answered, saying, "Hello, Mr. Obel." The call seemed to go on endlessly, preventing Jason from speaking with Naomi. He noted her use of "your boss," sensing a growing distance between her and Brendan.
About ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of the law firm. Still on the phone, Naomi thanked Jason for the ride and went inside. That evening, when Brendan returned to Yellowind Bay, Naomi was already away on a business trip. He returned home for the next three days, but Naomi remained in Betvoria for work. This time, Brendan felt the loneliness acutely.
On Saturday afternoon, while most people were off work, Naomi returned from her business trip and went straight to the law firm for overtime. Being a lawyer often meant irregular hours. Engrossed in organizing case files, she lost track of time. In the evening, her mother called, inviting her to dinner, but Naomi was too busy.
Holding the organized files, she felt a subtle ache in her abdomen. She pressed her hand against the area. The discomfort had begun on her high-speed rail journey home that afternoon. Initially, Naomi ignored it, but the pain intensified, eventually preventing her from sitting upright. She felt weak and cold, with sweat breaking out on her forehead.
Unable to bear the pain, she called Bailey: "Bailey, are you free?" Shortly afterward, Bailey, with short hair and a dark floral shirt, arrived. "You're a mess, and you only call for help now?" she remarked, then helped Naomi downstairs.
They arrived at the hospital. The doctor diagnosed acute gastroenteritis and recommended hospitalization. Naomi was given an intravenous drip. Beside the bed, Bailey scolded her: "Everyone's taking a break, but you're not. Is the company your family's business? Does all the money belong to you?"
Naomi weakly replied, "I'd have nothing to do if I took a break." Bailey considered Brendan's recent attitude toward Naomi and the rumors surrounding the Ludwig family. Tired of scolding Naomi, she believed everyone needed an outlet. They tacitly agreed not to inform Brendan or their families. However, news of Naomi's hospitalization reached her family the next day.
Early that morning, her parents, Dennis Goodwin and Christine Ziegler, arrived, fussing over her. Naomi explained she'd eaten something bad on her trip. After politely dismissing them, Naomi felt exhausted.
"Your mom does nag a lot," Bailey said.
"You haven't seen her cry yet," Naomi replied.
Bailey, hands in her pockets, looked at Naomi with a hint of admiration. She wished she had a mother to scold her.
As Naomi sat on the bed, the door opened, and Brendan entered. "Why are you here? Aren't you busy today?" she asked, surprised.
Brendan stared at her coldly: "What could keep me busy on a weekend?" His impatience surprised Naomi; he had never spoken to her like that before. After a moment, she turned to Bailey: "Bailey, give him some water." Her politeness and surprise made it seem as if Brendan were a long-lost friend, not her husband.
Bailey got water from the fridge and offered it to Brendan. He didn't take it, but stared coldly at Naomi. "Is Bailey your husband?"
He had waited up all night, only learning of her illness from Ronald that morning. Everyone else knew, but not him.
Naomi smiled. "I just didn't want to trouble you." She longed for a child with Brendan; that was all she wanted. But Brendan's expression darkened.
"Naomi, stop being so distant." His unrelenting attitude irritated Naomi, despite her polite tone. She smiled. "Brendan, have you fulfilled your duties as a husband? What's with the attitude?"
"I haven't fulfilled my duties as a husband, but can Bailey?" Brendan retorted.
"Brendan, are you sure you want to argue with me?" Naomi's expression changed when he mentioned Bailey. She didn't usually care about his words, but he shouldn't involve Bailey, especially in a way that seemed to highlight her pain.
Just then, Bailey stepped forward. "Brendan, you criticize Naomi now, but where were you when she needed you?" she said coldly. Without waiting for a response, she continued, "Do you know why Naomi didn't call you last night? It's because after her car accident last year, she called you to sign documents at the hospital, but you hung up. You never visited her during her ten-day stay."
Brendan was shocked. Naomi had never mentioned the accident. He thought of her usual smile.