HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 873

Naomi had just placed the folder containing all of her university administrative documents on the coffee table in the family room when someone's groan echoed from the direction of the study.

"I'm convinced Cale is deliberately trying to kill me."

The complaint was loud enough that several passing servants exchanged glances while struggling to suppress their smiles.

Naomi, who had just reopened the Westbridge University brochure, slowly lifted her head. She recognized the voice without even having to turn around.

Chris.

A moment later, the man emerged from the study carrying another stack of folders in both hands. His suit jacket had long since been taken off. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. A few strands of his hair were even slightly disheveled, something Naomi had rarely ever seen on Chris.

"I just found out," Chris muttered as he dropped the entire stack of folders onto the sofa with a soft thud, "that my brother's punishment is far more terrifying than a thirteen-hour meeting without a break."

Naomi glanced at him briefly. "And?"

"And?" Chris looked at her as though he couldn't believe it. "That's all you have to say?"

Naomi turned her attention back to the administrative paperwork in her hands that still needed to be completed. "You are being punished."

"At least show a little sympathy."

"No."

That brief reply made Chris let out a long sigh. He walked over to Naomi, then, without asking for permission, stretched out on the same long sofa. His head rested right beside Naomi while one arm covered his eyes as though he were genuinely exhausted.

"Naomi."

"Hm?"

"You're cruel," Chris complained, paying no mind to the fact that from the moment he lay down beside her, the girl had been squirming, trying to push him away.

Naomi snorted softly. "You're the one who made Mr. Cale angry. And because of what you did, I got scolded too."

"And you don't intend to defend me even a little?"

"No."

Chris opened one eye and looked at Naomi for a long moment. "I'm starting to wonder who it was that smacked my arm yesterday because I said, 'Good morning, my fiancée.'"

Naomi's cheeks immediately flushed.

She tried to keep her eyes on the papers in her hands, but with Chris only inches away from her, her concentration was completely thrown off. She could even smell the lingering scent of his cologne mixed with coffee. It was so irritating. This family room was enormous, and yet there were plenty of other sofas he could have chosen.

She quickly closed the brochure she had been reading, even though she hadn't understood a single word on the last page. Ever since Chris had said that, her thoughts had been wandering everywhere.

"Don't bring that up again."

"Why?" Chris looked at Naomi in confusion.

Before she had the chance, Lydia arrived carrying a small plate of cookies she had bought before returning home with Naomi. Her gaze shifted between Chris, who was still lying far too close to Naomi, and Naomi's face, which was still tinged with a faint blush. The corners of Lydia's lips almost curled upward, but she chose to pretend she hadn't noticed anything.

"Are you two not tired of arguing yet?"

"Not yet," Chris and Naomi answered at the same time.

Naomi clicked her tongue in annoyance. "He's so irritating, Mrs. Lydia."

Lydia laughed softly. "Thank goodness."

"Why would you respond like that?" Naomi protested.

"Because if you two ever stopped arguing, that's when I'd start worrying."

Chris took a cookie without asking for permission. "Thanks, Lydia. I'm starving."

"Those are for Naomi."

"She still has plenty." Chris ignored Lydia's objection, but...

"Chris."

"Fine." Though grumbling, Chris still put the cookie he had just taken back.