Chapter 30

Brendan walked toward Ronald and patted his shoulder. "I'm counting on you, my dear Ronald."

"Brendan, are you annoyed that Naomi is making you prepare the divorce papers? If so, I'll tell her to do it herself! She's a lawyer, so it should be easy for her," Ronald pleaded.

Brendan grasped Ronald's shoulder. "You've done well. But please don't meddle in our business again."

Brendan had never wanted to divorce Naomi. He had never even mentioned divorce, despite saying terrible things to her over the past two years. Ronald, claiming he would spy on Naomi to learn her thoughts, had only made things worse. He had added insult to injury with his nonsense.

Naomi received a call from Ronald. On the other end, she heard Jason urging him to get on the train. Ronald was crying, begging Naomi to rescue him. Naomi replied with pity, "Poor Ronald. I'll wait for your return. If your mother disowns you, I suppose I can reluctantly take you in."

"Please, Naomi, save me. Please ask Brendan to reconsider," Ronald whined.

"Mr. Ludwig, we have to go," Jason said. Then, the call ended.

Naomi pondered the beeping phone. Why hadn't Brendan forgiven Ronald, even though she'd agreed to the divorce? She couldn't think of a reason. She would visit Ronald on her day off.

She thought her relationship with Brendan had improved slightly, but now it was back to square one. Although Brendan had had an affair and rarely came home, he had never initiated divorce proceedings.

Two days later, Naomi finished a civil dispute case and was leaving the court when she received a call from Reuben. He invited her to Maximus's welcome home party the following night.

"I have a court case tomorrow. Can I go afterward?" Naomi asked.

Reuben agreed. Maximus was twenty-nine years old—the same age as Reuben, older than Naomi and the others. They had been friends since childhood. It had been two years since he'd left, so a large party was understandable.

The next day, Naomi went straight to the bar after court. Everyone was having fun; Mason's voice boomed across the room. He'd suggested a second round of drinks, otherwise, the party would have ended earlier.

Naomi saw unfamiliar faces and Brendan with a young, innocent-looking girl. She was used to this.

"Naomi, sit here!" Bailey shouted, waving. Naomi joined her.

Brendan glanced at Naomi from his nearby seat, still angry about the recent incident. The girl with him also glanced at Naomi. Her beauty and elegance were striking.

Maximus noticed Brendan ignoring Naomi, and Naomi acting as if she didn't know him. He knew their relationship was strained, but he hadn't expected this complete avoidance.

"Hi, Maximus," Naomi greeted.

"Hey, have you eaten?" Maximus asked.

"Yes, just before I came," Naomi replied.

"Should I leave so you two can talk?" Bailey smiled, seated between them. Maximus smiled but didn't reply.