Boomerang Love

Upon seeing their state, she said generously, "Go on; I'll be waiting for you."

Since she'd come there with Brendan, it was only natural that she'd be able to keep her cool.

After Brendan walked into the room with Caleb, Chloe and Naomi were left alone in the living room.

Chloe stared at Naomi nervously for a moment. She then said hastily, "Naomi, have you eaten? I can cook something for you."

Naomi replied, "No thanks."

Chloe continued, "I can pour you a glass of water instead."

Since Chloe was insistent on being polite, Naomi stopped rejecting her.

They shared a couch. Naomi was calm and composed, while Chloe seemed uncomfortable, like a child who had done something wrong in a home that wasn't hers.

Chloe bit her lip. When she looked at Naomi and saw her so unbothered, she felt jealous.

After Naomi took a sip of her water and placed her cup on the table, Chloe said, "

Caleb and I are endlessly grateful for Brendan's care. If not for him, I wouldn't know what to do. Thankfully-"

At Naomi's steely gaze, Chloe realized that she'd said something wrong.

She cut herself off and changed the topic. She explained, "Naomi, that's not what I

mean. I'm not trying to show off. I'm genuinely very thankful for Brendan. I'd feel awkward if we just sat here in silence."

Naomi smiled carelessly at Chloe's inconsistency. Sometimes, she couldn't tell whether she was genuinely being mean or not.

Naomi looked directly at Chloe and said calmly, "Brendan said you saved his life before."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She'd brought up a topic, so Chloe replied hurriedly, "Yeah! In the fire three years ago, Brendan was also in the room. I was passing by, so I crashed into his room.

There were two masks in the room. One of them was broken. Sophia gave the good one to Brendan, which is why he's alright. Sophia's health had never been the best, so

#

Chloe didn't continue speaking.

The fire had roared so terrifyingly back then. She'd nearly lost the courage to go in. However, when she'd thought of Brendan being inside, she'd entered anyway.

Sophia had been conscious at that point. She'd asked Chloe to save Brendan first.

Chloe had obeyed her instructions.

In addition, she...

Memories rushed to the forefront of Chloe's brain. She no longer felt awkward.

Sadness overwhelmed her instead.

Naomi stared at her as she got lost in the past.

When Sophia had lost her life, Brendan had been right beside her. She'd even given her mask to him.

Brendan had never mentioned this to Naomi, let alone tell her that he had been present when Sophia had gotten into that accident.

At Naomi's silence, Chloe asked, "Naomi, didn't you know this?"

She continued, "Perhaps Brendan didn't tell you because he thought you'd be worried."

She sighed before saying, "Brendan takes special care of me because I saved him and Sophia. Later, there were rumors that the fire wasn't an accident. However, nothing came out of it. They haven't managed to find the arsonist."

Naomi looked at Caleb's room while Chloe explained.

She could hear the faint sounds of Brendan coaching Caleb with his homework. Suddenly, Naomi realized she and Brendan had gradually lost each other. He hadn't

told her about this accident.

When she really thought about it, she realized they hadn't spoken aftem they'd argued

on the balcony and he'd slapped her.

Even at Sophia's funeral they hadn't said a

word to each other.

His expression had been extremely cold, as though she were his enemy.

At this moment, she felt like a stranger to him yet again