CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 72 - 71: A Bad Feeling (2)

"Are you all set?"

"Yes. He should be fine now. We’ll handle the discharge paperwork tomorrow morning."

Naomi Shaw nodded, then glanced at his tipsy state.

Julian Donovan swayed slightly as he stood there.

"I have something early tomorrow, so I won’t be able to pick you up. I’ve already told Arnold to bring the car over." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Earlier, while he was having dinner, Juliet Jennings had called. She said she was leaving early tomorrow morning and wanted him to take her to the airport. ’Fine, he’d take her. As long as she was finally leaving, that was all that mattered.’

Naomi Shaw nodded.

"Oh, go on and take care of your business. It’s late, and you’ve been drinking. You should get back and rest."

Julian Donovan grunted in acknowledgment, gave her one last look, and turned to leave. His steps faltered, and he nearly fell. Naomi Shaw almost rushed forward to steady him but held back. ’No, I can’t. I can’t keep getting entangled with him like this.’

She followed him to the door of the hospital room to see him off. Just as she was about to say goodbye, he suddenly yanked her out into the hallway, pinned her against the wall, and crushed his lips against hers. Her eyes flew wide with fury as she glared at him, but he paid her no mind. When she struggled, he held her fast, pulling her tight against him. To any onlookers, they must have looked as if they were locked in a passionate, inseparable kiss. A young nurse on night duty passed by, and upon seeing the scene, she blushed and scurried away.

Julian Donovan didn’t know if it was the alcohol or something else, but he couldn’t stop himself, even though he knew forcing himself on her like this would make her angry. His hands clamped down on her shoulders as he devoured her lips. Under his brutish force, she eventually had to submit, letting him kiss her to his heart’s content.

When he finally let her go, she simply wiped her mouth and lowered her gaze. Her long lashes concealed her eyes, and he couldn’t read her expression. He only heard her say flatly,

"You’re drunk."

Then she turned and went back into the hospital room.

Frustrated, he yanked at his tie and strode away.

Back in the hospital room, Naomi Shaw sat for a long time before she could calm herself. ’Tonight... she didn’t know if it was the alcohol or something else, but she’d seen an emotion in his eyes that she couldn’t decipher.’ Still, she ended up calling Mrs. Sommers to ask her to have some hangover soup ready for him.

The next day, Julian Donovan took Juliet Jennings to the airport. Juliet Jennings had lost the resentment and anger she’d felt toward him the previous day. She simply linked her arm through his and said softly,

"Julian, I’ll wait for you in Meridia!"

Before Julian Donovan could reply, his phone rang. He answered, and his expression instantly transformed. A brutish, bloodthirsty aura erupted from him, making him look like a demon from hell. Juliet Jennings, who was beside him, had never seen him like this before; she was so frightened she trembled and took a step back. She could only watch as he charged out without a word of farewell, and she lacked the courage to stop him. After he was gone, her nerves gradually settled, and she began to suspect what had happened. ’Had Wendy Lowe made a move against Naomi Shaw and her son? She’d heard they were being discharged today—the perfect time to strike.’

At this thought, a smug smile involuntarily touched her lips. She then stepped gracefully onto the plane.

Julian Donovan raced toward Mercy Hospital at breakneck speed. Ken had just told him on the phone that after being discharged, she and her son had returned to The Shaw Residence. As they were getting out of the car, they were ambushed by gunfire. Arnold had thrown himself in front of them, taking a bullet for her and Dylan. Dylan, sheltered in her arms, was completely unscathed. She, however, had fractured her wrist when she fell. And Arnold... he was being rushed into emergency surgery, his life in critical condition.

The moment he heard she and her son had been attacked, his heart seized, nearly suffocating him. He couldn’t put the feeling into words—it was a mix of heartache, rage, sorrow, and fear.

The fear of losing them. The fear of losing his son, and the fear of losing her.

Fear was an emotion he hadn’t experienced in many, many years.

He sped to the hospital without stopping. When he reached the emergency room, she and Ken were already there. She was covered in blood, her right wrist held in a doctor-fitted splint. She stood trance-like at the entrance to the ER, her mind clearly elsewhere. A pang of heartache shot through him at the sight, and he strode forward, pulling her into his arms.

"It’s okay, don’t be scared. Arnold will be fine."

Nestled in his embrace, she suddenly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Julian, please, save Arnold! You’re a brilliant doctor, aren’t you? You have to save him! The doctor just said... he’s not going to make it!"