waking

Chapter 27 

After dealing with the aftermath, the woman whipped out her phone and shot a text to a contact named “Savior” before she hit the road in her SUV. 

By 8 am at Spring Villa, Naomi was in the kitchen whipping up breakfast when her phone chimed. She checked the message, a subtle grin played on her lips, and then she hit delete. Next up, she sent some pics and a hot tip to a popping tabloid in Atopan [Freddy Sanders and Rosalind Edwards caught up in a messy love triangle out at Frostpeak Mountain, Word is she tried to lock him down with a shotgun wedding but couldn’t stand being the side chick | 

Naomi bet the tabloid would eat this up and spin it into their usual drama–fest. Back in her last life, that same mag had trashed her on Rosalind’s say–so—ripping off her designs, trash–talking her big time. 

They painted Naomi as the third woman gunning for her sister’s man, jacking her sister’s designs too. They made her out to be a serial flint, someone who couldn’t keep her hands to herself, and even pegged her as a nasty piece of work to her folks. 

Back then, Naomi wouldn’t even step outside. If she did, she’d get nothing but hate–people spitting and shouting insults. And home wasn’t much better. Her folks, Javier and Victoria, always had a beef with her. They ended up firing all the house help, dumping all the chores on Naomi. Hungry or not, she had to tow the line or starve. Abuse and name–calling were just another Tuesday. 

But this time around, Naomi was playing the long game. 

Flashback to herb picking on that mountain, and Naomi snuck in a call to Zoey. She told Zory to find a solid dude to keep tabs on Frostpeak Mountain, keep an eye on Freddy and Rosalind, and jump in when needed. 

Zoey was all over it and told Naomi it was as good as done. The guy Zoey found had his own beef with the Edwards family. Hearing Rosalind was his mark, he was in–no questions, full loyalty. 

Naomi wired Zoey some cash for the guy’s trouble. As for meeting him, that’d have to wait, 

Breakfast was ready–eggs, pasta, and tomatoes fried up with some ground beef. A sprinkle of greens and her kicking chili sauce on top, and a side of Carla’s prepped soup to round it out. Proud of her spread, Naomi brought it to the table. 

Shawn was there. coffee in hand, flipping through stocks and shares, when Naomi hit him with the finished product. His eyebrows raised. All those eats and she was up with the birds to get it done. 

“Try this, Mr. Fischer, Naomi said, all hopeful, as she laid down the cutlery. “If you don’t like it, I’ll switch it up tomorrow.” 

Shawn shot her a look, grabbed the cutlery, and dug in. Couldn’t deny it tasted amazing. He then went on to polish off the whole plate of pasta with surprising grace. 

Naomi quickly put on a beaming smile, aiming to win Shawn over with some home–cooked goodness. 

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As he saw her grinning. Shawn’s forehead wrinkled with concern. “Aren’t you eating too?” 

Naomi paused, surprised, and then realized she hadn’t thought to fix herself a plate. Back at the Edwards manor, breakfast was never meant for her. The concept was so foreign it didn’t even register. 

Shawn’s concem deepened, figuring our why she was so rail–thing she was practically skin and bones in his arms. 

“Carla,” he barked, “get Naomi some breakfast, will you?” 

Carla nodded. “Right away, Mr. Fischer.” 

pher 

“No, it’s fine, I can whip up something myself, Naomi insisted, darting for the kitchen, but Shawn’s grip on her arm guided her right back to seat “Don’t get on 

un my nerves.” 

“My apologies, Mr. Fischer, and thank you.” Naomi’s voice was barely above a whisper, a warm feeling blossomed in her heart. Shawn might have his quirks, but he was always decent to her. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d shown the same kindness to Cheryl back when they were together. 

“Wath me, you’re not skipping meals, got it? I won’t have people talk smack, saying my woman doesn’t get enough to 

Sławn’s key stare drilled into her, dear disapproval of her thin frame. 

Naomi answered with a nod, eyes brimming, “Got it, and thank you, truly.” 

Shawn dived back into the stock updates, leaving her with her thoughts. 

Naomi’s phone lit up with a new notification. She checked–bingo, the tabloid wasted no time. Freddy and Rosalind’s soap–opera–worthy drama 

The Edwards family’s sweetheart by day, vixen by night, her cunning plans are a real eye–opener.) 

0 

3.13 PM c d · 

Chapter 27 

[Scandalous! The Edwards family’s heiress and the Sanders family’s heir’s secret romance is revealed, Unmarried and expecting they jump from a cliff in a heartbreaking lovers‘ pact.] 

The secrets of Rosalind and Freddy’s relationship that no one knew.] 

[Freddy dodges the bullet, while Rosalind has an abortion.] 

[Revealed: Rosalind and Freddy’s intimate photos spread like wildfire.] 

Naomi smiled, entertained by the drama fest. Just like before, the stories didn’t disappoint, especially the one with the provocative photos. She srifled a giggle at the click–here–for–more tag at the article’s end. 

Her name was nowhere–props to the Edwards family for keeping her so out of the spotlight, Richard Lowe, her attending doctor, might’ve been the only one privy to her true identity. 

Richard was a nice, decent man, past and present. He was always nudging her to put herself first sometimes, to save her kindness for those who 

deserved it 

| 

As Naomi scrolled, Carla served up a real spread–creamy garlic chicken, an omelet, a hot glass of milk, and a side of warm, buttery croissants “Your breakfast is ready, Ms. Edwards, she called. 

Thanks, Carla Naomi said, eyeing the spread. Next to this, her pasta dish for Shawn seemed almost plain. 

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