CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 31: My Heart Aches for Him (Part 1)

He tossed the words at her and hurried off. Her gaze followed him just in time to see Juliet Jennings appear alone at the restaurant’s entrance, seemingly there for dinner as well.

She watched, stunned, as he walked over and took Juliet Jennings by the arm. She watched as he reached out to embrace her, watched as they struggled back and forth before finally vanishing from the entrance. Then, the corners of her lips curved into a bitter smile.

’Naomi Shaw, what are you even thinking? Did you really believe that just because you said you were scared to be alone, he would take you home? Have you forgotten what he told you? He said that even though he and Juliet Jennings were broken up, he would win her back one day.’

The glass across from her still held half a measure of the red wine he’d been drinking. Having never touched alcohol in her life, she picked it up and downed it in one go. He had ordered a bottle, drinking half before he left. Now, she took the bottle and poured herself another glass.

’They say alcohol can drown your sorrows. I might as well see if it can wash mine away.’

The moment Sean Donovan stepped into the restaurant, his eyes landed on a beautiful girl sitting in a corner, somberly drinking alone. A look of delighted surprise instantly filled his narrow, dark eyes. He’d had his men searching for her all afternoon to no avail and was just starting to feel discouraged. He never expected to run into her here.

He was here to treat a client to dinner. Since the client was staying at the hotel, he had booked a table here. This hotel’s Western restaurant was one of the best in Wincastle.

But she looked very unhappy, a realization that made his brow furrow slightly. His client hadn’t arrived yet, so he decided to walk over. However, because of his leg, his gait was slow. By the time he reached her, she was already getting up to leave.

It was probably the alcohol. As she stood, her body swayed, and she started to fall sideways. He rushed forward and caught her. Despite his own physical limitations, his frame was more than broad enough to support her slender form. The moment he held her, the charming, innocent sight of her flushed cheeks and tipsy state made his heart skip a beat.

Naomi Shaw had never drunk before, so after two glasses, her head was already swimming. She’d barely gotten to her feet before she stumbled against the corner of the table, nearly falling. When she got a clear look at the person holding her, she smiled in embarrassment and gently pushed him away.

"Mr. Donovan? What a coincidence. Thank you for catching me..."

"It is, isn’t it? What’s this? Are you alone?"

Sean Donovan withdrew his arm and scanned the area. No one seemed to be heading their way. ’Who could be so heartless as to abandon such a charming girl?’ he wondered.

Naomi Shaw lowered her gaze and chuckled humorlessly.

"Yes, I’m alone..."

’There were two of us. But he went to chase after the one he loves.’

Before Sean Donovan could say more, a man hurried over, shaking his hand apologetically.

"Mr. Donovan, my apologies! I’m so sorry I’m late!"

"Not at all, I just arrived myself!"

Sean Donovan had no choice but to exchange pleasantries. Seeing this, Naomi Shaw quickly excused herself.

"Well, I’ll let you get to it. I won’t disturb you any longer."

His client had arrived. Sean Donovan couldn’t just stand him up to escort her back to her room. This man was, after all, a major client for his hospital. So, he could only watch as her slender, unsteady figure vanished through the restaurant’s doors.

Only later would he realize that every time, they were always just one step shy. From the very beginning, they were fated to miss each other. Even years later, when he met her again at sea, saved her, and lived with her for three years, they were still ultimately destined to pass each other by.

Julian Donovan intercepted Juliet Jennings at the restaurant entrance. Still fuming over the harsh words he’d spoken to her earlier that day, Juliet averted her gaze. Julian reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Juliet, we need to talk."

Juliet Jennings recoiled from his embrace and hurriedly pushed him away.

"Julian, let go of me! There are too many people here. What if a reporter sees us?"

She was a rising star now; being photographed in a struggle with a man of no social standing would damage her image.

A flicker of hurt crossed Julian Donovan’s face, but he ignored her protests and dragged her away. Since there was an elevator, the stairwell was usually empty. Julian pulled Juliet Jennings into the dim corridor.

The moment they were inside, Julian Donovan pulled Juliet Jennings into a tight embrace, whispering painfully in her ear.

"Juliet, come away with me. Let’s leave this place and live a quiet life together, okay?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Juliet Jennings pushed against his chest.

"Julian, don’t. I’m... tainted now. I’m not good enough for you anymore..."

Julian Donovan let her go, gripping her shoulders and looking at her intently.

"I don’t care! As long as you come back to me, I can pretend none of it ever happened. I know you were forced into it!"

Julian Donovan’s words made the usually cold and proud Juliet Jennings’s eyes well with tears. She stared, transfixed, at the man before her. She had to admit, Julian Donovan was an incredibly handsome man. His features were sharply defined, giving him a unique charisma. On top of that, he had lost a fair bit of weight recently, lending his expression an even colder, more severe edge.

His eyes were deep-set, framed by thick lashes that made them exceptionally mesmerizing. When he looked at you with such deep affection, it was impossible not to get lost in his gaze.

’She had to admit, she truly loved this man. Even now, she still loved him. But you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Thinking of his obscurity, of the glamorous life and the glory of the spotlight she craved, she hardened her heart and pushed him away.’

"Julian, you know how powerful Wendy Lowe is. Once he takes an interest in an actress, she can’t escape unless he grows tired of her. If you defy him... you won’t even make it out alive!"

"Juliet!"

Julian Donovan reached for her again, but Juliet Jennings dodged him, retreating into a corner where she huddled, begging him through her tears.

"Julian, I’m begging you, please don’t come looking for me anymore, all right? If Wendy Lowe sees you, he’ll kill me! I want to live... I have my parents to support..."

Seeing how terrified she was of Wendy Lowe, Julian Donovan let his hands fall to his sides in defeat. He knew he was no match for Wendy Lowe right now. The Shaw Dominion in Qindale was just a minor, relatively unknown gang. Domestically, they stood no chance against Wendy Lowe, who had straddled the worlds of law and crime for decades.

He was well aware of Wendy Lowe’s influence. Wendy Lowe had built his empire on gangs in his early years before investing in the film industry. He had people everywhere in that world, from the lowest-level crew members to the top directors. To offend him was to be blacklisted, to simply vanish from the industry.

Julian Donovan slammed his fist into the wall in a rage, his eyes glinting with a cold light. ’Wendy Lowe,’ he vowed, ’one day, I will make you repay the pain you’ve caused me a hundredfold.’

As for Juliet Jennings, she ran out, crying and covering her mouth. ’I’m sorry, Julian Donovan. You can’t give me what I want, so I have no choice but to give you up. At first, I wanted to stay pure. I wanted to rely on my own talent to earn good roles and get recognition. But after entering this industry, I discovered that some things can’t be obtained through hard work alone.’

’Actresses with less talent and worse looks than me were landing supporting and even leading roles, while I was stuck playing insignificant side characters. I couldn’t accept it. So, in the end, I became one of them.’

After Juliet Jennings’s heartless rejection, Julian Donovan, dejected, went straight to a bar. He had a few drinks to take the edge off before returning to the hotel. It was only when he saw the room across the hall that he remembered Naomi Shaw, the woman he had abandoned in the restaurant. He walked to her door and knocked, wanting to make sure she had gotten back safely.

He knocked several times, but there was no answer. His heart sank. ’With her innocent, doe-eyed looks, could someone have hit on her in the restaurant? Did something happen to her?’ As the thought crossed his mind, his knocking grew more forceful.