Chapter 1716: 

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Naomi believed she was more familiar with the area, having visited multiple times.

Mia, on the other hand, had an air of youthful innocence, making her an unsuitable companion for serious matters.

“I’m not as fragile as he claims! Rowan always treats me like a child,” Mia huffed.

Just as the words left her lips, a wave of nausea hit her, sharp and sudden. She instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes darting around in search of a restroom. Noticing her distress, Naomi quickly followed.

“Mia, are you okay? Are you unwell?”

“Yeah.” After retching for a while, she finally straightened up. “I’m fine. Rowan already took me to the hospital. The doctor said I probably ate something bad—maybe unfamiliar food or something that didn’t sit well with me.”

“Then you need to be more careful.”

Watching Mia’s reaction, Naomi couldn’t help but recall her own pregnancy—Mia’s symptoms were strikingly similar to morning sickness.

However, since the entire family was aware of Mia’s condition and knew that pregnancy was highly unlikely for her, Naomi chose not to bring it up.

What was the point of asking anyway? Bringing it up would only reopen an old wound.

Lately, the Bates family had avoided the topic of children altogether, fearful that it might cause Mia unnecessary worry.

After all, they had just begun to enjoy a bit of peace, and Rowan guarded Mia as if she were made of glass, unwilling to let anything or anyone bring her harm. Who would want to raise such a painful subject now?

“There’s a small lounge nearby. You can rest there for a while. I’ll be back soon, and once I’m done, I’ll take you back to Odonset.” As Naomi spoke, a hint of unease crept in. She hesitated before adding, “Should I call my brother and have him pick you up so you can rest at home?”

Lаtєst chαptєrs in g𝗮l𝗻ov𝗲ls.ｃοm

Mia immediately shook her head. “No, don’t call him! Rowan has been swamped with work, yet he still makes sure to come home on time to be with me. I don’t want to be a burden to him.”

She was stubborn but thoughtful. Beyond that, she knew she could never give Rowan a child. She often felt as if she had let both him and his family down. Because of that, she always tried to be as understanding and well-behaved as possible.

“Alright, then wait here for me. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.”

“Alright.”

Before leaving, Naomi instructed the staff to keep an eye on Mia, then hurried out.

Once in the car, she rechecked the schedule with the artwork transportation team, confirming her estimated arrival time before setting off.

The vehicle merged onto the highway, and she hadn’t even reached the first rest stop when her phone rang.

Assuming it was a call from the studio, Naomi answered through her earphones without hesitation. “Hello?”

“Naomi.”

She was caught off guard, falling into silence. The voice belonged to Dooley. Naomi glanced at the caller ID again—sure enough, it was him.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I’m here to pick up Ethan.”

“I’ll call the nanny now and have her bring him to you. Or you can contact her directly,” Naomi replied, puzzled by his sudden call. They rarely spoke to each other.

“You always tell me to go through the nanny,” Dooley said. “But what about you?”

“I’m busy.”

“Naomi, Ethan wants a family day out—with his mom and dad.” That last statement was the crucial part.

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Message from Noa: We’re in the final quarter of the year, my dear ones, hang in there! God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥

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