Not long after, several handsome young men entered the room. Bailey asked the tallest and most handsome, Aaron Reed, to sit beside Naomi. Aaron complied, smiling as he sat down. "Ms. Goodwin," he said, "I'm on a lucky streak. If I sit beside you, you'll definitely win a lot of money." Naomi chuckled. "If I win a lot of money, I'll give you a big tip."
As expected, after a few rounds, Naomi was the sole winner. She consistently drew good cards and won, even after Brendan raised the bet. Brendan, increasingly agitated, looked like he was on a warpath. When Naomi won another full house, he slammed his cards on the table, his face cold enough to freeze the air.
Naomi, unfazed, placed the cards in the shuffler. "Mr. Ludwig can't afford to lose?" she joked. "If you lose, just go home and sleep."
Brendan laughed. "You want to sleep with me? You're such a dreamer, Naomi." Chloe nervously watched Naomi, wondering if they were headed for another divorce.
Ignoring Brendan's sarcasm, Naomi gave Aaron her winnings. "This is the big tip I promised." Aaron excitedly accepted the money. "Thank you, Ms. Goodwin." The other young women in the room were openly envious.
After receiving the money, Aaron blushed. "I can make you even happier, Ms. Goodwin. Why don't I leave with you tonight?"
Aaron's words silenced the room. Even the cigarette dropped from Mason's mouth. The ensuing quiet was profound.
Bailey, sitting cross-legged on the couch, broke the silence. "Naomi, this young man is so sincere. Don't let him down with such a cute pay."
Brendan snapped back to attention. "She's been lacking love for so long. It's time she found a man."
Naomi stood, smiling charmingly. "Mason, Reuben, you heard him. I'm going to get some love. You continue the game." She turned to Aaron. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get a room!"
"Only, Ms. Goodwin," Aaron replied, leaning in to whisper something in Naomi's ear.
"Really? I have to take a look at your skills later," Naomi responded.
No one dared to speak. Naomi took Brendan's opening to leave, followed by Bailey and another young man.
Once they were gone, Brendan lost his composure, kicking over the poker table and scattering the cards. Chloe, pale and frightened, clung to his arm. Mason, realizing Chloe shouldn't be there, sent her home.
Naomi, just outside the door, didn't look back. She was already asking the two young men about their skills, preferred positions, and pay. Bailey, having witnessed the scene, smiled, her anger toward Brendan somewhat appeased.
Soon, Naomi arrived at another suite, key card in hand, only to be confronted by a furious Brendan. He wouldn't allow her to sleep with another man; no one else could touch her.
Naomi greeted him casually. "What a coincidence! Getting a room here too? Where's Chloe?" Without waiting for a response, she continued, "We're husband and wife. Even if I can't sleep with you, let me see how well you perform in bed. Otherwise, if we divorce, I can't answer questions about your abilities."
Bailey watched with a doting smile as Naomi teased Brendan.
"You're such a bitch, Naomi," Brendan spat.
Naomi retorted, unfazed, "If I weren't a bitch, would I have a marriage certificate with you and sleep in your bed?" They only had a certificate; their planned wedding was cancelled by Brendan. This had always been a painful point for Naomi, and their marriage was largely unknown.
Aaron, seeing Naomi blocked by Brendan and hearing mention of the marriage certificate, stepped forward to speak, but Brendan kicked him hard in the chest. Aaron fell to the ground, pale.
Naomi's smile vanished. "That's enough, Brendan."
Brendan, enraged by Naomi's defense of Aaron, pinched her cheek. "A guy like this catches your eye now? You can bear with someone like this?!"
Naomi shrugged off his hand. "It's none of your business. You can enjoy yourself, and I can enjoy myself. It's fair."
Brendan's fury escalated. He grabbed her throat, choking her. Bailey intervened, pulling him away. Mason and Reuben arrived, pulling Brendan off and ushering Aaron and his companion away.
Naomi, regaining her breath, kicked Brendan hard in the abdomen. His face drained of color.
They knew Naomi was fierce, but this shocked them. She glared at Brendan, warning icily, "I dare you to touch me again." Her hatred filled her eyes, causing Brendan pain and regret. He silently turned away.
Reuben diffused the situation, urging them to talk later. Brendan silently placed a hand on Naomi's neck and led her out.
In the parking lot, he pushed her into the car. She turned away from him. He lit a cigarette, filling the car with smoke.
"You're daring enough to sleep with anyone," he said. "Aren't you afraid of disease?"
"I'll use a condom," Naomi replied nonchalantly.
Brendan's face darkened. "Are you a man? Do you have a dick? How are you going to use a condom?"
Her phone rang—it was Heather. Exhausted, Naomi answered, "Mom."
Heather asked, "Have you found Brendan?"
Naomi replied, "Yes, we're on our way home," omitting their argument.
Heather urged her to have a child with Brendan, fearing a divorce without a child to leverage. This sparked a painful conversation. Heather's pressure was relentless; Brendan's unwillingness to have children was driving Naomi to despair.
Naomi answered perfunctorily, "Yes, yes, yes. I want a child, Mom."
Brendan glanced at her indifferently as she answered her mother's calls, speeding up the car.
Soon they were home. After showering, Naomi, thinking of Heather's advice, chose a black lace underwear set. Before she could put on her jacket, Brendan entered the bedroom.