Chapter 19

Hearing Naomi’s voice, Heather forgot what she was about to say and replied, “I rushed over as soon as I heard from Ronald that Dad wanted to come along too, but I didn’t let him.”

“It’s just food poisoning. I’ll get better in a couple of days,” Naomi answered.

Right after Naomi finished speaking, a nurse came over with some medicine. Heather talked to Naomi while Brendan sliced some fruit for them. As they talked, Naomi leaned against the bed and unconsciously fell asleep.

“Look how thin she has become because of the illness,” Heather said with concern, sitting beside Naomi. “You were unwell, Mom.”

Right after that, Heather turned her gaze toward Brendan and said, “Brendan, you’d better send Chloe away. It’s best if she doesn’t stay in Ashburgh anymore.”

Brendan handed her half an orange and said, “Mom, there’s nothing going on between me and Chloe. Why do you insist on giving her a hard time?”

“I’m not trying to give her a hard time. I’m just afraid Naomi would overthink and get upset. Why don’t you try putting yourself in her shoes? If Maximus came back and stuck around Naomi all the time, wouldn’t that make you uncomfortable?” Heather replied.

Brendan’s expression noticeably shifted at the mention of Maximus Martin. He stuffed the remaining half of the orange into his mouth, raised his head, and looked at Naomi on the hospital bed.

Seeing Brendan remain silent, Heather spoke again softly, “Since you’re married to Naomi, you should stop fooling around and keep a distance from other women. There’s one more thing: Chloe isn’t as simple as she seems. Don’t let her fool you.”

In short, Heather disliked anyone besides Naomi.

“I don’t have other intentions toward Chloe,” Brendan answered calmly.

“Send her away, then. One more thing: last time, when I told Naomi to give her a check, I didn’t expect that woman to actually take it.”

“It seems Naomi was right. Suggesting this idea has brought her trouble. Now that I think about it, I’ve underestimated Chloe,” Heather said.

Brendan turned his head and looked at Heather. “Were you the one who told Naomi to give the check to Chloe?” He should have known. Naomi wouldn’t do that herself. He had thought Naomi was trying to disgust him. He didn’t expect his mother to have come up with that idea behind his back. Most importantly, Naomi didn’t mention his mother when he’d flung the check at her.

Shifting his gaze to Naomi, Brendan wished she would argue and quarrel with him like other women. He felt better when she did. She was always so generous, making him feel insignificant.

“It was me. I even used my savings,” Heather said.

After that, Brendan ignored Heather, even when she continued to nag.

When Naomi woke up, Heather had already left, but Brendan was still there.

“Aren’t you busy today?” Naomi asked, resting her arm on her forehead. He used to always say he was busy. Naomi was quite shocked to see him there.

“I’m not busy,” Brendan answered. Then he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that Mom was the one who told you to give the check to Chloe?”

That day, when Brendan had asked Naomi, he recalled that she had told him to give her 20 million dollars so she could have someone draft a divorce agreement. Brendan was unsure whether Naomi had really meant it or had been kidding.