He stumbled over his words, waving a sheaf of documents. “I’m currently involved in some plans for expanding the school.”
Nodding with a newfound understanding, Sadie offered a smile. “I only came here once or twice a year during my childhood, so it’s likely we just missed each other,” she explained, her voice steady and composed.
As Sadie prepared to bid Alex farewell and continue on her way, Laura emerged from the apartment building with a bright, welcoming smile. Her eyes landed on Alex, and she radiated warmth as she approached him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Young man, what’s your name?” she asked with a tone of friendly curiosity.
Alex, a touch bewildered by Laura’s fervent greeting, cautiously responded, “Oh, you’re Sadie’s grandmother, right? Pleased to meet you, I’m Alex Howe.”
His charm was enough to make Laura’s smile bloom effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Sadie lingered in the background, her intuition telling her that this cheerful encounter might soon take an awkward turn.
“No, Grandma, you-” she interjected, tugging at Laura’s sleeve.
Yet, Laura shot her a playful, teasing look and chuckled. “What do you mean, ‘no’? You’ve brought him here, and now you’re getting all flustered?”
Confusion clouded Alex’s features.
It took him a moment to catch on.
Did Laura take things the wrong way?
“No, I-” he said, attempting to clear the air, but Laura cut him off before he could continue.
“Come on in, Alex,” Laura said, her voice warm and inviting as she ushered them into the building. Their path was marked by lively exchanges with a few of Laura’s old friends.
Laughingly, Laura declared, “My granddaughter’s boyfriend, isn’t he a fine young man?”
Sadie and Alex exchanged a look of mutual reluctant resignation, a silent communication filled with both amusement and a touch of distress.
“I’m sorry,” Sadie whispered to Alex, her apology tinged with embarrassment. “I mentioned to Grandma a few days ago that I’d bring my boyfriend over…”
Surprisingly, Alex took it more gracefully than she anticipated. With a gentle reassurance, he murmured, “It’s fine. Let her enjoy her misunderstanding for now. Anyway, you’ve…” He trailed off, but Sadie understood the implication.
Alex let out a weary sigh, his voice softening with concern. “If you ever need help, just let me know.”
Sadie had once been a vibrant part of their youthful social circle, her eyes shimmering with a bright, infectious spirit every time he met her. However, as the Hudson family fell from grace, she gradually faded from the gatherings that had once bound them together.
Over time, Sadie’s life took another unexpected turn as she became Noah’s wife.
“Sadie, I can finally rest easy now,” Laura murmured, gesturing for Sadie to take a seat, emotion flickering in her gaze.
In the cozy embrace of Laura’s apartment-a modest two-bedroom with an invitingly spacious living room-Alex didn’t feel his tall frame confined at all.
“Make sure to cherish each other and live well,” Laura remarked, her hands wrapped around theirs as she continued chatting.
Sadie wanted to speak up, to explain everything, but watching her grandmother glow with happiness for the first time since her mother was gone, she chose to hold her tongue.
Later, sitting in Alex’s car, Sadie felt an awkwardness creeping in. “I hope you don’t mind-my grandma absolutely loves to chat. And thank you for everything today-seeing her this happy means a lot,” she said, her voice tinged with gratitude and relief.
Alex chuckled, his tone light. “Yeah, your grandmother is quite a character. I remember hearing tales of the strict ‘Iron Lady’ teacher back in elementary school, though I never had the chance to meet her.”
Their conversation flowed seamlessly until they reached Sadie’s apartment building.
As a gentleman, Alex escorted Sadie to the entrance of the building.
As she was about to express her thanks and head up the stairs, a sudden misstep caused her to twist her ankle, a sharp pain nearly drawing tears.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Alex’s concern was palpable as he quickly stepped forward to support her, ready to assist her upstairs.
But before they could take another step, an unexpected fist swung through the air, cutting the night with startling abruptness.
“Are you fucking insane, Noah?” Alex’s voice was sharp, his disbelief clear as he confronted Noah.
Without thinking, he returned a punch, driven by a rush of anger. Noah, with reflexes quick as a whip, sidestepped, his eyes narrowing into slits as he fixed a piercing gaze on Alex. “Why are you with Sadie?”
“Well…” Alex started, his tone hesitant, but before he could stitch his words into an explanation, Sadie cut him off.
“There’s no need to explain, Alex. I have nothing to do with him anymore,” she declared firmly, her voice tinged with finality. “Does it hurt? Do you need some medicine?”
Sadie’s concern was evident as she leaned closer, inspecting Alex’s face for injuries. Relief washed over her when she found none. The possibility of Alex getting hurt because of her filled her with a deep, unsettling guilt.
But for Noah, witnessing this tender exchange was like a match to kindling. A fierce blaze of jealousy ignited within him.
He reached out abruptly, grabbing Sadie’s wrist with a grip that was both sudden and forceful, and pulled her toward the elevator.
“What the hell are you doing? Let me go!” Sadie’s protest was sharp as she struggled against his hold, but her efforts were in vain.
“Noah, calm down!” Alex stepped forward, his voice a mix of concern and command, attempting to defuse the escalating situation.
Yet, he was met with nothing but a chilling glare from Noah that made him halt in his tracks.
Noah’s anger didn’t wane as he dragged Sadie through the hallway to her apartment door.
Releasing her abruptly, he kicked the door open with such force that it swung wildly on its hinges, barely holding together.
Rubbing her wrist, Sadie glared at the damaged door, then turned her fiery gaze to Noah.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she demanded, her voice rising with both anger and hurt.
“What’s wrong with me?” Noah echoed her words mockingly, his sneer sharp as broken glass. “Why are you with him?”
Noah’s sudden closeness, mixed with the intoxicating trace of his cologne, snapped Sadie back to reality.
“Are you following me?” Sadie’s voice carried a sharp sting as she narrowed her eyes menacingly.
Instead of giving an answer, Noah scoffed. “Why, feeling guilty?”
“Why should I feel guilty?” Sadie retorted with a sneer, her defiance clear. “We’re on the brink of divorce. Who I spend my time with is none of your business. Haven’t you moved on as well?”
“Divorce?” Noah’s voice dripped with disbelief, as if the idea was ludicrous. “Sadie, I’ve already told you-until those papers are signed, everything stays the same.” A chill spread through Sadie’s heart.
“Why the hell should I care about what you have to say?”
“Well.” Noah edged closer, his body pressing hers against the door, an unyielding barrier. “Because I’m still your husband!”
With those words, he claimed her lips in a fierce, punishing kiss.
His kiss was relentless-rough and demanding.
Sadie pushed against him with all her strength, but his arms remained locked around her.
“Noah, are you out of your damn mind?”
She managed to push him away and quickly ran her tongue over her swollen lips.
Noah’s eyes burned with an intensity that felt almost inescapable. “Sadie, you’re playing a dangerous game,” he murmured, his voice rough like gravel, his hand lingering possessively on her lower back. The air between them was charged, a silent acknowledgment of the storm that was about to break.
Sadie’s heart skipped a beat, a rush of emotion flooding her veins.
“Noah, come to your senses. You’re in love with Kyla. She’s back in your life, and yet, here you are, trying to hold on to me. What do you take me for?”
Her voice quivered as she spoke, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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