Who’s the Dog Now? novel Chapter 44

She truly, deeply disliked Zebulon.

That was why she had been so happy when Naomi had decided to give up on him. But now, hearing their story, she felt conflicted.

While it wasn't exactly a life-or-death situation, she knew that if she were in Naomi's shoes, she would have found it hard to forget that boy too.

“It’s all in the past now.”

Patricia looked at Naomi’s wrist with a pang of sympathy.

Her fair skin was bruised and purple around a wound that was clearly vicious.

“Even if Zebulon was the one who helped you back then, you chased him for years. Even a stone should have warmed up by now. But the way he treated you… he doesn't deserve your affection.”

“Besides,” Patricia said indignantly, “for all we know, he just said a few comforting words without thinking. From what I’ve seen of that jerk’s personality, he doesn’t seem like the type to say something so kind.”

Naomi smiled, finding Patricia’s fierce loyalty endearing.

She had always admired people who were so full of life. Patricia was like a vibrant, blooming rose, while she was forced by her family to be a quiet lily.

“It’s okay. Maybe it was just a small act of kindness for him, and I was the one who was too stubborn. It’s time for me to let go now.”

Patricia nodded firmly. “I’m glad you’ve figured that out!”

“By the way, have you told your parents you’re hurt?”

Naomi shook her head, her eyes downcast. “There’s no need to tell them,” she said calmly. “It’s not a big deal.”

Naomi flatly refused to satisfy Patricia's thirst for gossip, stating plainly that it was just a neighbor who had brought her to the hospital and the caregiver had gotten the wrong idea.

But Patricia sensed there was more to the story.

Seeing that Naomi didn't want to talk about it, however, she let it go.

That night, one of them lay in a hospital bed and the other on a cot. The hospital was exceptionally quiet. Suddenly, Naomi’s voice broke the silence. “Patricia, I want to get an internship.”

Patricia froze, then sat up to look at Naomi. “We’re only sophomores. You already want an internship? Why?”

Naomi’s voice came out muffled from under the blankets. “I don’t want to be at the university anymore.”