waking
Chapter 22

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Chapter 22

The Fischer residence was on the edge of town, while Shawn’s place, Spring Villa, was clear on the other side.

After turning 18, Shawn built Spring Villa from scratch and moved out of the Fischer residence. His grandma Barbara was super close to him and hated to see him go, but she let him do his thing

Following Shawn’s directions, Naomi drove for a bit and finally hit the Fischer residence. It was huge, maybe even bigger than Spring Villa.

Past the gate of the family compound, there was a two–mile drive up to the main house. The first thing to catch their eyes was a sprawling rose garden, bursting with blooms in every color. The place was massive, with an old, epic courtyard house right in the middle.

Back in her old life, Naomi knew the Fischer family was high up the ladder, and Barbara was like a legend. Rumor had it that when the head of the family unexpectedly fell ill and passed away, the whole house went nuts–there were betrayals and infighting. It was brutal. But Barbara, right after losing her husband, shut it down with an iron fist and earned serious street cred across town.

Under Barbara, the Fischer family and their business calmed down. Shawn was in the boardroom with Barbara at 12, holding his own by 10, and running the show at 18. He took the company sky–high in just a few years, his style was firm, even tougher than Barbara’s

In her past life, Naomi saw the Sanders and Edwards families dying to get tight with the Fischer family, dressing to the nines, trying to get a piece of the action. Freddy always had Rosalind in tow, trying to get close to Shawn But no dice, they never got on the Fischer family’s good side, and instead, set their sights on that devil.

After Naomi woke up in her old life, she found herself right next to the creep, and she had zero clue about his backstory.

Before this guy hit town, she had to get herself strong enough so if the Sanders and Edwards families tried to throw her at him again, it wouldn’t just go unnoticed.

Last time, she was just a blip on the radar, her name not even known as the writer of “Elf in the Evening, or as the designer behind ‘TrueLove’s Kiss, while Rosalind swiped tons of her stuff. But this round, things were going to change.

As the Rolls–Royer pulled up to the courtyard, Naomi stepped out and opened the back door with caution and respect. “Mr. Fischer, we’re here. Shawn cracked his eyes open and gave her the nod to bring the wheelchair. She did and then moved in to help him into it. Naomi didn’t ask Shawn was faking being unable to walk; she didn’t even show a hint of curiosity–Shawn liked that she played it cool.

why

After Shawn was set in his chair, she pushed him through the main gate, where this frail white figure was kneeling in the middle of the courtyard. in front of the main doors

A huge sweet magnolia tree owned the courtyard, its branches spreading out, covering almost the whole space laid with simple, slate–gray stones. The white figure twitched, hearing them come by. Realizing who it was, she got even paler.

“S–Shawn,” C

Cheryl called out, her voice weak. Her lips were pale, her eyes red and suddenly filling with tears the moment she saw Shawn.

Shawn looked her over, his face cold and distant, like she was a total stranger

“Shawn and Naomi are here, so come on in!” Barbara hollered from inside, her voice bouncing through the hallway. Seconds later, a guy dressed in a neat suit, looking kind of like a butler, stepped out.

“Mr. Fischer, Ms. Edwards, please come inside. Mrs. Fischer’s been waiting for a bit.

Shawn introduced him. “Oh, this is Mike Owen Just Mike is fine.

“Nice to meet you, Mike. I’m Naomi

Mike gave her a nod and a grin. Naomi hit him with a polite nod of her own, charming the pants off everyone there. He walked them in, and they breezed right by Cheryl who might as well have been part of the wallpaper.

Barbara was perched at the end of the living room, waving over at Naomi like they w

were pals. “Come over here, Naomi

Naomi shot a quick look at Shawn and only moved once he gave her the go–ahead with a nod. Then she trotted over. “Greetings, Mrs. Fischer”

Barbara let out a big laugh, and once she caught her breath, she tugged Naomi down to sit next to her. “Honey, we Fischer family don’t fuss over manners; skip the formalities. Let me get a good look at you–you haven’t gained a pound since I last saw you, have you? Don’t you think abou dieting, girl. You need a bit of meat on your bones.” She bit back the urge to add that being too skinny might be a problem if she were carrying a baby With Shawn in the room, it wasn’t the time for that kind of talk.

She ordered, “Mike, let’s get dinner rolling

“Ou it, Mr. Fischer, replied Mike.

SEND GIFT

Chapter 22

Mike headed out to get things moving in the kitchen, while Barbara kept chatting up Naomi like they were long–lost family, and Cheryl peered in from the doorway, stealing glances. Tears welled up and started to stream down her cheeks as she caught sight of Shawn quietly sipping his coffee. “Shawn,” Cheryl croaked, all choked up, I messed up, Shawn. I was wrong. Please, just give me one more chance.”

Shawn cracked open his eyes, cool as a cucumber but with a little frost in his stare,

e, a chill settling in the room quickly.

Then with a twitch of his wrist, Shawn’s cup splattered across the floor near Cheryl. The coffee splashed on Cheryl’s arm, scorching her. She turned ghost white, her body shaking like a leaf. Her tears wouldn’t stop as she bit down on her trembling lip, too scared to even whisper Shawn’s name again.

At last, Barbara looked toward the door. “Mike, can you walk Ms. Larson out?

“Sure thing. Mrs. Fischer. Mike clapped his hands, signaling two burly security guards. They each grabbed one of Cheryl’s arms and chucked her out of the front gate like yesterday’s trash.⠀⠀

rn look. She stood up with Naomi

“Shawn, I need your help. Shawn Cheryl’s voice broke as her plea trailed off. Barbara’s face set into a stern “Naomi, Shawn, let’s hit the dining room.

“Mrs. Fischer, I’ll push Mr. Fischer’s chair.” Naomi offered, and wheeled Shawn, tailing Barbara down the ornate hallway and into the dining room smelling faintly of polished sandalwood.

“Naomi, do you know who that was, crying her eyes out just now?” asked Barbara.

Naomi shook her head “I don’t, Mrs. Fischer

Barbara scoffed. “Humph, that was Cheryl Larson. She clung to Shawn like a monkey on a tree, til things got rough and she hightailed it out. Got no use for that type. And Naomi, you ever double–cross Shawn, and I won’t go easy on you.”

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