CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 38: A Kind of Torment

Hurt, Naomi Shaw murmured,

"But... this watch is already out of style..."

But before she could finish, he erupted in fury. His voice suddenly rose, and the glacial look on his face made her flinch.

"Naomi Shaw, stop your self-righteous meddling in my life. Whether my watch is out of style has absolutely nothing to do with you. Your only value is to warm my bed. Got it?"

The color drained from Naomi Shaw’s face. ’Warm his bed?’ The term was so mocking, yet it was also a sobering reminder of her place. She bit her lip hard, took the Buddha Beads, and put them back in the box.

After spitting out those words, Julian Donovan clutched his watch and stormed out of the bedroom. He hadn’t returned by the time Naomi Shaw was ready for bed, apparently intending to spend the night in the study. It was the first time they had slept in separate rooms since she’d been with him. All because of a watch.

Naomi Shaw didn’t know what that watch meant to Julian Donovan. She only knew he lived a life fraught with danger, and she had hoped the Buddha Beads would bring him good luck and keep him safe. She wasn’t trying to force him to wear them, nor was she trying to meddle in his life.

’But since he doesn’t like it, then so be it.’

Tyson’s wedding was held a month after Ian Shaw was discharged from the hospital and returned home. At the wedding, Naomi Shaw cried her eyes out. Everyone assumed she was just that happy for Tyson, but only she knew the real reason for her tears. She was heartbroken, wondering when she would ever have a wedding like this—when someone would marry her and give her a warm, peaceful life.

’But now, everything I ever dreamed of has become a pipe dream, all because of my decision. He’s still pining for his first love, so how could he ever marry me?’

Julian Donovan merely watched her reaction with cold eyes at the wedding. Later that night, as Naomi Shaw was running his bath with her back to him, he said,

"Naomi Shaw, don’t think for a second I don’t know why you were crying today. I can never give you what you want. I suggest you give up on that idea and stop having such unrealistic dreams!"

He had seen right through her, and she was on the verge of tears again. But all she could do was swallow her sorrow, turn around, and say to him,

"Your bath is ready." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Then she hurried past him and rushed out, not wanting him to see her in such a pathetic state.

’But who was there to blame? I was the one who chose to stay by his side in this capacity. I knew it would be a bitter pill to swallow, but I still dove in like a moth to a flame. Who could I resent? I could only bear this myself.’

Julian Donovan yanked her back, pressing her against the bathroom wall.

"We’ll wash together."

Terrified, she shook her head.

Of course, his achievements were accompanied by all sorts of discontent and conflict. Every time he came home covered in injuries, Naomi Shaw would be sick with worry. It was during those two years that she slowly learned nursing skills for his sake. Sometimes, when he was in a good mood, he would even give her some professional pointers, since he had studied medicine in the past.

One particular incident involved Juliet Jennings.

It was during a huge film festival. Lara Nash, who loved celebrity gossip, insisted on watching the live awards ceremony. The four of them were having dinner together at the time. To everyone’s surprise, Juliet Jennings was not only in attendance but was also in the running for the Best Actress award. When the camera swept across the red carpet and landed on Juliet Jennings’ face—stunning in a black gown on the arm of Wendy Lowe—Naomi Shaw saw Julian Donovan’s expression shift.

Her own heart sank. ’He hasn’t mentioned Juliet Jennings once in so long. I thought he was starting to move on.’

Lara Nash clucked her tongue beside them.

"Well now, this Juliet Jennings is a real ice queen. Her figure and poise are off the charts, not to mention those bewitching eyes. One look from her and any man would just melt."

Naomi Shaw’s heart sank again. If even someone as critical as Lara Nash was praising Juliet Jennings’ beauty, it was no wonder Julian Donovan was so deeply in love with her. Of course, Lara didn’t know about the history between Juliet, her, and Julian, so she continued to chatter on, oblivious.

From the moment Juliet Jennings appeared on the screen, Julian Donovan stopped eating. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed as he watched the television. Juliet Jennings, who had debuted less than two years ago, was actually competing for Best Actress. And in the end, the award resulted in a tie. One winner was a well-deserving veteran actress, and the other... was Juliet Jennings.

Lara Nash slammed the table and shot to her feet.

"It’s rigged! This is definitely rigged!"

"She’s a rookie, been in the business for what, a year or two? How in the world does she get Best Actress? And tying with my idol, no less? Hmph! I heard a long time ago that she’s the mistress of that famous producer, Wendy Lowe. Rumor is, Wendy’s been keeping her since college!"

Lara’s unfiltered rant made Naomi Shaw’s heart pound with anxiety. As expected, Julian Donovan’s face instantly darkened. But Lara, wrapped up in her own indignation, pressed on.

"How can she shamelessly accept an award she earned with her body and a pretty face?"

"Enough!"

Julian Donovan shot to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury as he roared at Lara. He kicked his chair back and stormed out of the room.

Lara jumped, completely startled. She clutched her chest, her heart hammering.

"What was that all about?"

Ronan Joyce pulled Lara into his arms to soothe her, his own questioning gaze landing on Naomi Shaw. Naomi looked away, finding it difficult to speak.

"Juliet Jennings... she’s the woman he loves..."

"Holy shit!"

Lara covered her face with a groan, apparently not expecting such a cliché, dramatic twist. Ronan Joyce was stunned as well. After recovering from the shock, Lara was indignant.

"I mean, based on her looks, you’d think Julian Donovan has pretty good taste in women. But if those rumors are true, then his EQ is absolute zero!"

"Now, baby, that’s not fair," Ronan said. "Doesn’t everyone’s EQ drop to zero when they meet the person they truly love?"

The words were barely out of Ronan Joyce’s mouth before Lara gave him a sharp pinch on the waist. He immediately realized he’d misspoken. Didn’t what he just said imply that Julian Donovan was truly in love with Juliet Jennings?

Naomi Shaw, however, showed little reaction. She’d known for a long time that Juliet Jennings was Julian Donovan’s true love; Ronan’s words didn’t change anything. Seeing the dinner party had come to such an awkward end, Lara and Ronan quickly made their excuses and left.

After seeing them out, Naomi Shaw went to the balcony. Julian Donovan was leaning there, smoking, his displeased face looking even more severe in the moonlight. She walked up to him and began to speak softly.

"Julian, that’s just how Lara is. She’s tactless and careless with her words. Please don’t take it to heart."

Julian Donovan just glanced at her once before turning and leaving.

Naomi Shaw waited all night, but he never returned. Early the next morning, she called Tyson and hesitantly asked about Julian Donovan’s whereabouts. Tyson told her,

"He took an early flight to Port Sterling this morning. Is there something you need?"

A sharp pain shot through her heart. She hung up the phone. She remembered clearly that the awards ceremony last night had been held in Port Sterling. ’Did he go to Port Sterling to find Juliet Jennings because of what happened? He’s so rich and powerful now. If Juliet really is the kind of person Lara described, would she throw herself back into his arms?’

「Port Sterling.」

The night after the grand awards ceremony was a whirlwind of after-parties and celebration galas. Actresses, dressed to the nines, competed for attention, all trying to find suitable partners for their next film at these major events.

Juliet Jennings was one such actress. However, the halo of her new "Best Actress" title hadn’t won her much favor. In fact, her rapid success had brought her more covert ostracism from other actresses than anything else. Wendy Lowe hadn’t accompanied her today. She moved through the glittering crowd alone, gritting her teeth and vowing that one day, she would make those who slighted her pay the price.