In public, Brad always appeared immaculate and elegant. His hair was perfectly combed, his shirt had not a single crease, and even his walk exuded grace.
In private, however, he shed much of his cold demeanor. Still, he maintained a stern expression and spoke little, making him seem unapproachable. Even when he was ill, he'd pretend to be fine by putting on a façade. Perhaps, he feared people seeing his vulnerable side.
At this moment, Brad was leaning weakly on the couch. His left hand clutched his stomach while his right held a glass of water. His head was drooped to the side, and his face was pale, looking frail and weak.
Seeing his condition, Nadine knew he had a stomachache. She quickly rummaged through her suitcase, took out her antacids, and handed two pills to Brad.
"Here," Nadine said curtly. Her words for Brad were sparse these days, not wanting to speak to him more than necessary.
Ever since their divorce, she realized she no longer felt anxious or worried about his feelings. She also no longer cared about his mood and was living comfortably with Sean.
So, when Brad constantly kept trying to make his presence felt around Nadine, it only disgusted her. It was a bit too late for him to show his affection now.
Brad released his grip from his stomach. He accepted the medicine Nadine handed him, popped the pills into his mouth, and swallowed them with a sip of water. After taking the medicine, he put down the glass but continued to lean weakly against the couch.
In a feeble voice, Brad asked Nadine, "Can I rest her for a while?" His stomach really was hurting, and he was truly feeling weak. Although there was a bit of acting involved, he wasn't outright lying.
Seeing the paleness on his face, Nadine agreed. "Fine, lie down for a bit. Leave when you feel better." With that, she turned back to her bed, lay down, and closed her eyes to sleep. She hoped that Brad would leave once he felt better.
However, Nadine was wrong. Just as she was settling in, she heard Brad's faint, pained groans filled with agony.
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