Chapter 787
After Naomi asked the question that left everyone speechless, exactly as she had expected, no one answered right away.
Even Nathan, who had seemed the calmest throughout the entire discussion, remained silent. Riana looked at Naomi with eyes full of sympathy, while Lydia slowly lowered her gaze. Because she understood that the person speaking now was not the heir to the Devereux family. Not someone with a claim to immense wealth and power.
She was simply a twenty-two-year-old girl whose life had changed far too quickly. In just a matter of months, the difficult, pressure-filled life Naomi had known had been completely overturned.
And Lydia was certain of one thing. If Naomi were given a choice, she would not hesitate to return to Berlin and go back to her old life, working part-time jobs and living quietly on her own terms. Naomi already knew there was no answer that could truly satisfy her.
So she didn’t push.
Instead, a small smile appeared on her lips as she quietly said, “I’m sorry.”
Everyone turned toward her.
“I didn’t mean to be rude.” Naomi rose slowly to her feet. “I just need some time to think about all of this.”
“Naomi,” Riana called softly.
But Naomi shook her head. “I’m fine.”
She didn’t want the woman to worry any more than she already did. She didn’t want to make the atmosphere in the room even heavier. More importantly, Naomi knew that no one here genuinely intended to hurt her.
Including Cale.
Even if she was extremely annoyed with him right now. “Excuse me.” After saying that, Naomi bowed politely before turning and walking out of the family room.
No one stopped her. They let her leave. They gave her space to breathe. And perhaps that was exactly what she needed most at this moment.
The moment the door closed behind her, Naomi released a long breath. “Marriage,” she muttered under her breath. “What kind of nonsense is that?”
She wandered aimlessly down the mansion’s corridor. “This is completely ridiculous.”
The soft soles of her house slippers brushed against the polished wooden floor with every step. Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows lining the hallway, painting everything in shades of gold.
But the peaceful surroundings did absolutely nothing to calm the storm in her head.
“Why do I have to get married?” Naomi folded her arms across her chest. “And why does it have to be Chris?”
A few staff members passed by and quickly lowered their heads in greeting. Naomi returned their greetings with a faint smile before resuming her internal grumbling.
“And why does Cale always make decisions like that on his own?”
The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became. Honestly, how could anyone discuss something as life-changing as marriage so casually? As if it were just another business deal waiting to be signed.
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The more Naomi thought about it, the more irritated she became.
Did Cale have a habit of controlling other people’s lives? Was that why he found it so easy to dictate her movements and make decisions on her behalf, then act as though everything he said was perfectly reasonable?
Naomi clicked her tongue softly.
Her wandering gaze finally settled on a row of framed photographs hanging neatly along the corridor wall. Most of them were family photos. Pictures of Josh and Grace as children, snapshots of the Miller family during vacations, and moments frozen from happier times.
There were even a few portraits of Nathan and Riana when they were much younger. A small smile unconsciously appeared on Naomi’s face.
This house was truly filled with memories.
But her steps gradually slowed when she noticed a large photograph hanging at the far end of the hallway.
It was a wedding portrait.
Althea was smiling radiantly in a simple yet elegant white gown. Beside her stood a tall, handsome man. Together, they looked perfectly matched.
Naomi frowned. “Who is he?”
That man wasn’t Daven.
Of that, Naomi was fairly certain. Even though she hadn’t known the Miller family for very long, Daven’s face was unmistakably different from the man in the photograph. Then why was Althea’s wedding portrait displayed here? And why had Naomi never seen this man before?
“Because that’s Daddy Chase.”
Naomi immediately turned around. Josh was standing a few steps behind her, both hands tucked casually into his pockets. “You startled me.”
“Sorry.” Josh flashed a broad grin, though his tone didn’t sound remotely apologetic.
Naomi looked back at the photograph. “Daddy… Chase?”
Josh nodded. “Yeah.”
For several moments, Naomi didn’t know what to say. She was confused. Wasn’t Althea’s husband Daven? Her eyes drifted back to the portrait. Althea’s smile looked so genuine.
So did Chase’s.
“I’ve never seen him before.”
“Of course not.” Josh walked over and stopped beside her, looking at the same photograph. “Daddy Chase passed away while Grace was still in Mom’s womb.”