Chapter 4 Brad's Plan

For a moment, Naomi was taken aback by her husband's behavior. His demeanor had completely changed-he was much friendlier and warmer. It was nothing like how he acted at the hotel, where he had been cold and curt. He couldn't even bring himself to look at her, let alone embrace her.

Then, Naomi remembered what her husband had said back at the hotel. She nodded faintly, finally understanding the reason behind his current behavior. It was all an act to cover up the true, selfish motives behind marrying her.

"Naomi wants to go home right away, Dad. She said she's tired of staying in the hotel. Isn't that right, honey?"

The man with the thin beard turned to Naomi with a playful smirk. The smile on his full lips looked so sweet. Oh, if only this wasn't all an act, Naomi would've been overjoyed.

Sadly, it was nothing but a charade.

Naomi forced a smile, then nodded slightly. "Yes, Dad. It does get boring staying in a hotel with nothing to do," she replied, reluctantly playing along with the story her husband had spun. Even though she hated lying to a man who had been nothing but kind to her.

She was even more tired of being stuck with someone as cold and impossibly rude as you, Brad.

The young woman in the brown hijab could only say those words silently in her heart.

"Hmmm... you two are strange. Newlyweds usually enjoy spending all their time together," teased her father-in-law, his smile full of meaning.

"Dad, we can do that at home too, right? It doesn't have to be in a hotel. It gets boring," replied the man with the thin beard, throwing another sly wink in his wife's direction.

This guy is such a good actor. If he weren't my boss with all his authority, I would've punched that smug face of his. Acting all flirty when, in reality, he's unbearably cold and rude!

Once again, Naomi grumbled inwardly. She knew that voicing her thoughts would only lead to scolding from her husband, who was also her superior.

"That's the spirit, Brad. Take good care of your wife!" said Josh's father, patting his only son on the shoulder. His gaze carried a deeper meaning, almost like a subtle warning. The middle-aged man took a deep breath. "I'm confident that love will grow between you two sooner or later. And remember, don't delay having kids. You're our only hope to carry on the family line. Got it?"

"Yes, Dad," Brad replied non.

"Dad," Brad chuckled softly, loosening his arm around Naomi before gripping her hand firmly. The sudden force made her wince in surprise.

"We'll excuse ourselves now, Dad," Naomi finally said politely.

"Alright, off you go."

The entire walk up to Brad's room on the second floor, the man with the thin beard held his wife's hand tightly. But the moment they stepped into the spacious room-nearly the size of half a soccer field-Brad shoved her hand away harshly.

Naomi flinched, her chest tightening with hurt. She felt like she was being toyed with.

"Don't get carried away! That was just for show. Remember what I told you last night? We have to act like a loving, romantic couple in front of the family!" Brad snapped, his sharp gaze drilling into her.

"Relax, Brad. You don't need to remind me-I already understand!" Naomi retorted firmly. She refused to appear weak in front of him, determined not to let him treat her unfairly.

"Good!" Brad replied curtly.

"By the way, your acting earlier was pretty good. Why not try auditioning for a role? You seem more suited to being a soap opera or movie star than a CEO," Naomi teased with a faint smile.

The man with the thin stubble smirked cynically. "Your sense of humor is low, isn't it?"

"I'm not joking, Brad. I'm serious," Naomi said, showing a serious expression. She even dared to look her husband in the face, though Brad avoided her gaze, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Watch your behavior, you uncultured woman! I'm your superior!" Brad snapped, glaring sharply at his wife.

"This is home, Brad, not the office. Besides, you're my husband, not my boss right now," she replied boldly.

"You're quite confident!" he sneered. "Remember this: we're only husband and wife on paper. No matter what, I'll never love you. So don't expect anything from me."

Without waiting for her response, Brad strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

As soon as Brad left, Naomi's legs gave out, and she sank to the floor. The tears she had been holding back for so long finally fell.

No matter how strong she appeared in front of her husband, the pain still hit her hard. After all, she was a woman who couldn't help but feel deeply.

Ignoring where her husband had gone, Naomi kept herself busy. She started packing her clothes and then headed downstairs to the kitchen. She decided to help the housekeeper prepare dinner, as Brad still hadn't returned, even as evening approached.

"Miss Naomi, you shouldn't be here. This is my job," said Marissa, one of the housekeepers, as Naomi helped her cook.

"It's okay, Marissa. I'm bored with nothing to do at home since I'm still on leave from work," Naomi replied as she chopped carrots. She had decided to make chicken soup.

"If Mr. Josh finds out, I'm afraid I'll get scolded, ma'am," Marissa said nervously, clearly worried about upsetting her employer.

"Don't worry," Naomi said, gently touching the older woman's shoulder. "Papa won't get mad, I promise. Trust me, Marissa."

Though still uncertain, Marissa nodded and let Naomi help her until they finished cooking. Together, they placed the food on the dining table.

"Wait, Naomi, you helped cook? Where's Brad?" Josh asked as he entered the dining room and took his seat.

"Yes, Dad. Better than having nothing to do," Naomi chuckled. "Brad... he said he had some business to take care of earlier, Dad." Once again, Naomi was forced to lie to cover for her husband, who had disappeared without explanation.

"Where did that boy go anyway? Leaving his wife alone at home," grumbled the middle-aged man, his glasses resting on the bridge of his nose as he sighed in annoyance.

"It's okay, Dad. He'll probably be back soon," Naomi replied, trying to sound reassuring.

Just then, the man they were talking about walked in. Josh immediately called out to him, asking where he had been.

"There was something urgent I had to deal with earlier, Dad," Brad answered casually, taking a seat across from his father and digging into his meal.

Josh decided not to press further, following Naomi's earlier plea to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Although Naomi was curious herself, she chose to let it go and stay indifferent.

"Dad, starting tomorrow, Naomi and I will move to my apartment. We need to start living independently, right, Honey?"

Brad turned to Naomi, clearly expecting her agreement.

The round-eyed woman widened her gaze in surprise. She turned to her husband, frowning in confusion. But before she could respond, she let out a small yelp when Brad suddenly pinched her thigh under the table.