Not long after Ashlyn left, Naomi rushed into the bathroom and began to vomit like mad.
She threw up all the spaghetti bolognese that she had just eaten.
Naomi wanted to eat, but her weak stomach could not tolerate any food, to her dismay. A wave of nausea engulfed her every time she tried to eat.
Nevertheless, she did not want Ashlyn, Jonathan, and other people to worry about her.
Ashlyn has been very kind to me. I donât want to make her sad and feel concerned about me.
Tears began to trickle down Naomiâs cheeks as she thought of the people dearest to her.
After vomiting, Naomi went back to the bed and lay down again, dozing off after some time.
When Naomi woke up, she found a man standing inside the room.
The sudden appearance startled her. Taking a closer look, Naomi noticed it was her elder brother, Lucas. Only then did she sigh in relief.
âLucas, why didnât you wake me up?â
Her voice was still rough. Naomi was afraid that if she did not speak now, she might not get another chance to talk the following day, even though she could not hear a single word she said.
Lucasâ heart sank when he recalled the doctorâs words.
His sister had become deaf; she could not hear anymore.
Walking to the door, Lucas turned on the light.
Staring at her quietly for a while, Lucas asked, âAre you hungry?â
Only then did he realize she could not hear his question.
Grabbing the pen and a piece of paper, he wrote: Are you hungry? I can ask Spencer to bring the soup made by the maid.
Naomi shook her head. Despite her empty stomach and discomfort, she had no appetite whatsoever.
Shaking her head, Naomi grabbed Lucasâ hands.
Even though they were siblings, they had never been this close before.
For the first time, Lucas did not push her away.
âLucas, I think Iâm dying soon. I donât want to die,â Naomi remarked hoarsely.
Iâm too young to leave this world! I still have tons of things to do in my life.
Looking compassionately at her, Lucas picked up the pen and wrote: Youâll be fine.
Lucasâ handwriting was firm, just like his resolute personality.
âLucas, can you do me a favor? You must promise me one thing. Otherwise, I wonât die in peace.â
Naomi tugged on Lucasâ sleeve. She glanced at him with misty tears, making it impossible to refuse her wish.
He wrote: What is it?
âCan you please remarry Ashlyn, Lucas? Both of you shouldnât be separated anymore. Please?â Naomi looked at him with a sorrowful expression.
She cared deeply for Ashlyn. A wave of mixed feelings flooded Naomiâs heart at that moment. It was indescribable for her.
Naomi was terrified that one day when she passed away, she would just be a stranger who had no relationship with Ashlyn.
I want to become Ashlynâs family.
Her voice was croaky and weak. Still, Lucas heard her plead crystal clear.
Naomi shook her head. Despite her empty stomach and discomfort, she had no appetite whatsoever.
The manâs thin lips moved, but he did not know how to respond to her request.
When Lucas found out from the doctor that Naomi might be deaf forever, he thought the doctor had misdiagnosed her condition.
The doctor comes from First Hospital, though. How could there be a mistake?
âLucas, I can barely speak right now. Maybe in a few more days, I wonât be able to talk anymore. They say if someone loses their hearing for too long, the person will forget how to speak, eventually.â
Does it mean that one day I will also become mute?
Naomiâs heart throbbed as she thought of that scenario.
Unless they were in her shoes, no one could understand Naomiâs feelings at that moment âLucas, why arenât you answering me?â Naomi stared intently at Lucasâ handsome face. She knew how powerful her elder brother was in the whole of Lake City.
Is it beyond his reach to win Ashlyn back?
Unbeknownst to Naomi, it was indeed a daunting task for him.
Lucasâ expression darkened as he looked at Naomi. He eventually replied to her, even though he knew she could not hear his answer. His low voice echoed through the ward.
âItâs not that I donât want to reconcile with Ashlyn. I want her back. However, itâs not possible for the time being. Our parents- I have to bide my time and wait until Iâm stronger than both of them. Only then can I win Ashlyn back. I need to be more powerful and become invincible!â