CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 104 - 102: You’ve Always Been Like This 4

"From now on, I’ll only contact my son. As for him... I’ll just treat him like a stranger!"

Her unusual reaction made a glint appear in Sean Donovan’s eyes. ’If she had really forgotten him, why would she need to use such decisive words to force herself to forget?’

He didn’t know why that man had given up on her. All he knew was that this wonderful girl had appeared in his life, and he had to hold on to her tightly.

So he squeezed her hand and said softly,

"Let me meet your son someday soon."

"Mm..."

She pulled her hand back and stood up.

"I’ll go wash some fruit!"

Sean Donovan stared at his empty palm, a wave of disappointment washing over him. He stood up as well and called out to her faintly,

"Don’t worry about it, Anna. I should get going. I have things to do early tomorrow morning."

She turned back and smiled.

"I’ll see you out then!"

Before leaving, Sean Donovan went to the bedroom to see Joy. Joy was an extremely quiet child. Most of the time, she would play contentedly wherever she was, never running around or fidgeting. She only made a fuss when she was hungry or needed to use the restroom.

Right now, she was sitting on the large bed, hugging a stuffed toy and flipping through a pile of sheet music that Sean Donovan had bought for her. Her delicate eyebrows and refined features all came from her mother.

Sean Donovan would sometimes teach her a few musical notes. Although she had a talent for music, Sean didn’t expect a child of just over two to actually learn them. He just wanted to nurture her interest for the time being.

Sean Donovan went in and picked Joy up. As if she knew he was leaving, Joy pouted and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. Sean’s heart melted. He kissed Joy’s soft, rosy cheeks several times before putting her down.

Naomi Shaw leaned against the doorway, watching this scene with a faint smile on her lips. ’I’m just an ordinary woman. How could I refuse a man who doesn’t mind that I’ve been married before and have two children?’

After she saw Sean Donovan out the door, his car was waiting outside. Sean suddenly pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her on the lips. She pushed against him in a panic, but he only held her tighter, his kiss growing heavier, deeper.

She eventually gave up struggling. First, the difference in strength between a man and a woman was too great for her to break free. Second, as his girlfriend, this kind of intimate contact was bound to happen eventually.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Anna. The thought of you meeting your ex-husband makes me feel so insecure. Even if you don’t say it, I know you have deep feelings for him, so I—"

She lowered her gaze and took a deep breath, then looked at Sean Donovan, trying her best to keep her expression calm.

"Sean, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault."

’It was my fault. I accepted his proposal, but I’m unwilling to fulfill my duties as a fiancée.’

Her words only made Sean Donovan feel even more guilty. He pulled her slender body tightly into his arms. The usually composed man sounded as helpless as a child.

"Anna, you’re all I have! I grew up without a father or a mother. My grandfather, the only family I had, isn’t in good health. I only have you. I’m so scared you’ll leave me, that you’ll abandon me and leave me all alone..."

Naomi Shaw had heard Sean Donovan’s story before. He’d told her his parents passed away when he was young and that he was raised by his grandfather. So, hearing him sound so heartbroken now, her heart softened. She gently pushed him away.

"Sean, don’t overthink things. You should get going."

Sean Donovan’s hands remained on her waist, his gaze burning as he stared at her. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Anna, let’s announce that we’re together tomorrow, okay?"

She shook her head.

"Let’s wait until after I’ve met your grandfather. Didn’t you say he doesn’t really approve of this?"

Sean Donovan’s tone was firm.

"Anna, I’ve listened to my grandfather my whole life. But this time, for something as important as my marriage, I have to insist on my own choice. I won’t let you be wronged. I’ll give you an official and proper status!"

"Sean, having an official title really isn’t important to me. Just being together like this is good enough."

’After going through a loveless but "official" marriage, things like status really don’t matter to me anymore.’

"Anna, you’re so understanding. How could I not love you...?"

Her words moved Sean Donovan deeply. After all, there were too many girls nowadays chasing fame and fortune. For a family like the Donovans, what woman wouldn’t fight tooth and nail to marry in? Yet, she said that status wasn’t important.

Naomi Shaw just gently removed his hands.

"It’s getting late. You should hurry back."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, then!"

Sean Donovan finally let her go and reluctantly turned to get into his car. As Sean’s car disappeared into the night, she touched her lips, which he had just kissed, and turned dazedly to go inside. She didn’t notice the faint glow of a cigarette in another car parked in the darkness.

And after she went inside, Julian Donovan, who was in that car, viciously stubbed out his cigarette butt, angrily starting the engine and roaring away.

’Ever since I found out she was alive, I’ve wanted to see her every moment of every day. I’ve never missed someone so much. I wish I could keep her somewhere I can see her at all times, which is why I drove here. I thought that even if I couldn’t go inside to see her, just waiting outside would be enough.’

’But I never expected to see such a painful sight. I almost lost control, almost got out to pull them apart. But what right do I have? We’re divorced. She’s already had a daughter with Sean Donovan. They’ve done something as intimate as having a child together; what’s a farewell kiss in comparison?’

’It was in that very moment, watching her kiss Sean Donovan, that I truly realized it: she doesn’t belong to me anymore. She’s no longer the Naomi Shaw who cried and laughed for me. She’s another man’s woman now. And I... I’m no longer the only one in her heart.’

He asked himself in despair: ’Julian Donovan, even after all this, are you still going to try and win her back? Can you even win her back?’

And so he drove away, conflicted, pained, miserable, and repressed.

Naomi Shaw returned home, gave Joy a bath, and put her to bed. After washing up herself, she started cleaning the house, mopping the floor and wiping the tables. Whenever she was feeling agitated, she would use chores like this to numb herself.

When the floor was sparkling after being mopped several times, she curled up on the sofa and wept silently.

’Julian Donovan, you devil! Why did you have to show up in my life again? Why did you have to say those ambiguous things and mess up my life? Why don’t you just go live happily ever after with your first love?’

She didn’t know how long she cried before she fell asleep right there on the sofa. She stayed that way until her phone rang. Her hand trembled when she saw the number. It was Julian Donovan’s. She had deleted it after he called her to meet that day, but she never expected to have subconsciously memorized it.

She didn’t want to answer, so she let the phone ring. She had no idea what he wanted, calling in the middle of the night, but she didn’t have the energy to deal with him. Sean’s kiss had already left her flustered enough. But the ringing was relentless. Afraid it would wake Joy, she finally gritted her teeth and answered, keeping her voice calm.

"Hello."

But the sound of music, like from a bar or a karaoke lounge, came from the other end, along with a timid voice.

"Second Sister-in-law?"

"Sorry, you have the wrong number."

She said, about to hang up.

That one phrase, "Second Sister-in-law," reminded her of an afternoon many years ago. Someone else had recklessly called and addressed her the same way, saying he was one of his brothers, only to get a fierce scolding from Lara Nash.

’Lara... Lara...’ The thought of Lara Nash made her heart ache fiercely again. ’I wonder how she’s doing now. Without Ronan Joyce, is she still the same wild, carefree, happy, and vibrant Lara?’

The person on the other end shouted anxiously,

"Hey, hey, hey, wait! Don’t hang up! I’m begging you, please?"

She finally gripped the phone and asked the person,

"What do you want?"

The person said hurriedly,

"It’s like this, Julian Donovan, he’s drunk. He’s been crying and screaming, insisting on calling you. He said he has something he needs to tell you!"

She frowned as she heard the person on the other end yelling for Julian Donovan.

"Hey, Julian Donovan, stop drinking! I got her on the phone for you, so say what you need to say!"

She heard the phone being passed to someone else. The sound of heavy breathing came through the receiver, and she felt an inexplicable sense of oppression.