Chapter 4

In the private lounge, Rayna threw herself into Cassian's arms, lifting her alluring face to kiss him. "Cassian, I missed you so much. Just let me kiss you for a while." He pulled her closer by the waist, cradling the back of her head as they kissed intensely. The air thickened, and the room quickly warmed up. After a long moment, Rayna blushed and pushed him away, her breath unsteady. "That's enough… You should go back to Naomi." "Can you let me go that easily?" His eyes were clouded with desire as he brushed his thumb across her flushed lips. Rayna lowered her gaze. "No… but I don't want Naomi to be hurt. She wouldn't even take your calls because of me. I can wait... wait for you to finish keeping her company, then come back to me." "You're so considerate that it makes my heart ache. I can't bear to let you go, either. Be good; listen to me. "Don't think about anyone else right now. Just enjoy the pleasure I'm giving you." Cassian kissed her lips, trailing down to her neck and chest. Soft moans of pleasure escaped Rayna's lips. Her nails dug into Cassian's back. "Cassian, don't kiss me there... I can't take it." "You little vixen… Isn't this exactly how you like it?" The room was filled with passion and heat. Yet, to Naomi, it felt like an icy abyss. She bit down hard on her hand to keep herself from crying out. She thought her heart had already gone numb, but seeing it with her own eyes tore her apart all over again. Cassian had fully betrayed her, both in body and soul. She felt a burning in her stomach and an onset of nausea. Covering her mouth, she dashed to the bathroom and retched violently, the room whirling around her. A persistent pain throbbed in her lower abdomen. She gently held her belly, tears blurring her vision. "My baby… I'm sorry. You had to see your father like this… so cruel, so unworthy. Please forgive me for not being able to bring you into this world." Naomi walked out of the bathroom, her face pale and her steps unsteady. The deck was lively, full of laughter and music, but there was still no sign of Cassian or Rayna. It wasn't until the fireworks show ended that Cassian and Rayna returned, one after the other. Rayna's face glowed with satisfaction, her expression radiating smug delight. She deliberately sat down beside Naomi and opened a velvet gift box, smiling. "Naomi, this is a gift for you. I made it myself. "It's a thank-you gift for you and Cassian for taking care of me. Five years ago, it was you who saved me, not the other way around. I wish you both a long and happy marriage." Inside the box rested a vibrant green bracelet, its hue so vivid it appeared nearly dazzling. Naomi gazed at her in a daze, smirking. "Keep it for yourself. I don't like it." Rayna's hand trembled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She instinctively looked to Cassian for help. But Cassian didn't seem to notice her gaze. His eyes remained soft as they settled on Naomi as if there was no one else in the world. "If she doesn't like it, then take it back." Rayna put the gift away aggrievedly. "Then… may I at least offer a toast? I hope you'll always be happy." Naomi didn't refuse this time. She took the drink Rayna handed her and took a sip. Rayna's smile returned as she turned to leave. But in that brief moment, a flash of malice flickered in her eyes. Suddenly, her foot caught on a chair. She cried out and fell hard, clutching her lower abdomen in agony. "It hurts…" Everyone was startled, and those nearby rushed to help Rayna up. When they saw specks of bright red staining the hem of her dress, their expressions changed in alarm. Instinctively, they all turned to look at Cassian, including Naomi. But Cassian remained calm. When he noticed Naomi looking at him, he gave her a gentle smile and took her hand. Then, as if nothing had happened, he said casually to the others, "Take her to the hospital. I'm staying to watch the rest of the show with Naomi." Everyone crowded around Rayna as they helped her off the yacht while Cassian continued holding Naomi's hand, listening to the band's performance as if nothing had happened. If Naomi didn't know the truth about them beforehand, she might have actually been fooled by his performance. Her heart grew colder by the second, and the dull ache in her lower abdomen was becoming harder to ignore. She was just about to suggest going home when Cassian's phone rang. "Mr. Hartwell, you rushed home earlier, so that contract issue still hasn't been resolved. Could you come by the office when you have a moment?" The assistant's voice on the other end was urgent. Cassian frowned, pausing for a moment in silence before finally disconnecting the call. When he looked up at Naomi, there was a hint of guilt in his eyes. "Honey, I need to stop by the office for a bit. Can you wait here? I'll have the driver come pick you up, alright?" Naomi scoffed inwardly. "Sure. Go ahead." Cassian stood up, leaning in to kiss her forehead, but she turned her head away with a light cough, dodging the gesture. He didn't have time to think too much and left in a hurry. Naomi knew he was going to the hospital. But somehow, the pain inside her no longer felt quite so sharp. Naomi waited for half an hour, but the driver still hadn't come. A sharp cramp twisted through her abdomen, doubling her over in pain. Her gaze fell on the shattered wine glass on the ground, and suddenly, an absurd yet terrifying thought struck her. Rayna had poisoned the drink. Naomi clenched her jaw and forced herself to sit up. She retrieved a shard of glass, still glistening with liquid, and carefully tucked it away. The pain grew worse, spreading from her stomach to her lower abdomen. The pain intensified, radiating from her stomach down to her lower abdomen. It felt as though something within her was being ripped apart, accompanied by relentless waves of heat flooding out of her body. Instinctively, she called Cassian, but he didn't answer. Then, she attempted to reach the driver, but there was no answer. With the last bit of strength she had left, Naomi dialed the emergency number.