Chapter 26

When Naomi heard Brendan's question, she instantly understood his implication. He knew Maximus had returned and that he'd just driven her home. He was looking for a fight!

Without offering excuses or showing guilt, Naomi answered without hesitation, "Maximus just returned. He gave me a ride home." Hearing Naomi mention Maximus, Brendan felt angry. "Maximus? You two seem very close. Do you know where he lives? That's not the usual route at all."

Brendan was furious that Naomi had arrived home late. If she hadn't returned tonight, he likely would have turned Ashburgh upside down. Most importantly, after "that incident," Naomi no longer called him Bred, but Brendan. This made Brendan uncomfortable.

Despite Brendan's bad attitude, Naomi calmly explained, "I was waiting for a taxi, and he happened to be going home, too."

Even so, Brendan yelled, "I remember Mason, Reuben, and the others were there. I'm sure Bailey offered to take you home, too! There were plenty of people, but you chose Maximus! I told you to ask James to pick you up!"

Seeing Brendan refusing to back down, Naomi stood her ground. If they were to discuss tonight's events, Brendan was at fault.

Naomi removed her hair clip and threw it on the table. Staring at Brendan, she said, "You left your wife after receiving a call from another woman! You even went to see her and accompanied her to the hospital! Where do you get the nerve to yell at me and question me? Maximus wouldn't have offered me a ride if you hadn't left me stranded!"

"Brendan Ludwig! I've been too lenient, overlooking your flaws. Do you think this makes me easy? Let me tell you something. If I leave you for another man someday, it will be because you pushed me away!" Naomi had been holding back these words for a long time. She'd always believed open communication wasn't necessary in this relationship; her only goal was to have his child. However, Brendan had become an unbearable jerk.

Brendan grew angrier after Naomi's retort. "Look at you, all righteous now that Maximus is back! Naomi, how can I trust you not to have second thoughts?" Brendan shouted.

Seeing Brendan's obliviousness to his own faults and his blaming Maximus, Naomi said angrily, "Yes! I do have second thoughts! And one more thing, Brendan! If you want to end this, just say it. No need to complicate things! If you don't want to be labelled divorced, suggest another term; I won't object."

Naomi couldn't bear another day like this. Accompanying Chloe to the hospital was inconsequential to him, yet she couldn't accept a ride from someone else. His double standards were unbearable. She was done. Regardless of who he was or how many children he could provide, he wasn't worth her time.

Hearing Naomi mention divorce again, Brendan gritted his teeth in anger. He then smiled sarcastically, his eyes icy cold, as he stared at her. He approached Naomi, raised his hand, and grabbed her face. "Naomi Goodwin, if you regret not accepting Maximus's proposal and are considering getting together with him, there's no need to hide it. If you admit it without guilt, I might even help facilitate your relationship."

Naomi quickly pushed his hands away. "You're right! I regret not accepting his proposal, and I want to be with him. Besides, he saved me once, so I'd like to thank you for your support in advance!"

Before Brendan could respond, Naomi continued angrily, "Also, I'm not afraid to tell you that marrying anyone else would be better than being married to you. So, let's end this broken marriage quickly, and don't hinder my happiness."

Over their two years of marriage, they had argued countless times, and Brendan had said many outrageous things.