“Understood. I’ll take care of it. Stay safe,” Alex replied, concern evident in his voice.
“I will,” Sadie answered, hanging up the phone with a sense of reassurance. She now had a way out.
The next day, Noah came back from work sooner than usual. A housemaid ascended the stairs to inform Sadie that she was needed downstairs.
Sadie didn’t refuse. She felt eerily calm.
With each moment closer to her departure, she became more composed.
As she descended the stairs slowly, her steps were light yet resolute. In the living room, Noah was perched on the sofa, a document in hand, and a look of weariness etched on his face.
On the dining table lay two beautifully wrapped gift boxes, their lavish packaging screaming luxury.
As she approached the table, Sadie’s eyes landed on the gift boxes, her mind clouded with confusion.
“What are these?” she inquired gently, her voice laced with curiosity.
Noah raised his eyes, his expression a complex tapestry of emotions, difficult to read.
“They are a dress and shoes for you,” he explained, his voice steady. “Put them on later.” He paused before continuing, “You mustn’t bring shame upon the Wall family.”
Without a word of protest, Sadie lifted the gift boxes and began ascending the stairs.
From below, Noah observed her lithe form vanish around the bend of the staircase, a sense of unease tightening in his chest.
This was uncharacteristic of Sadie; she was unusually calm today. Kyla, her heels clicking assertively, sauntered toward Noah, her lips curved in a seductive smile.
“Noah,” she cooed, gracefully linking her arm with his. “I’d love to accompany you to the anniversary celebration tonight.”
Noah responded absentmindedly with a simple, “Hmm,” his thoughts still lingering on Sadie’s unusual behavior.
“Would you join me to choose a dress?” Kyla pleaded, tugging at his sleeve.
With a hint of irritation, Noah replied, “I’ll have the driver give you a ride.”
Kyla paused, taken aback, then nodded her compliance.
She knew about the dress Noah had gotten for Sadie.
Yet, after tonight, Sadie would vanish without a trace.
Then, no one would rival her.
Watching Kyla walk away, Noah massaged his temples and made his way to his study.
Having changed into the attire provided by Noah, Sadie observed herself in the mirror.
The deep red gown made her complexion glow, its fine cut enhancing her elegant silhouette.
Yet, staring down at the high heels, she felt a stir of unease.
Escaping in high heels would prove challenging.
Yet, going without them would surely raise Noah’s suspicions.
With a sigh, Sadie forced herself to put on the shoes.
There was a knock at the door.
“Mrs. Wall, you need to be going,” a servant’s voice called respectfully from the other side.
Taking a quick breath, Sadie concealed her phone against her chest securely and then opened the door.
Noah was casually reclining on the sofa downstairs, examining some paperwork.
At the sound of footsteps, he glanced up, giving Sadie a thorough once-over.
Today, there was a noticeable change in Sadie.
She appeared more poised and self-assured.
“What a hassle,” Noah muttered under his breath, visibly annoyed yet unable to conceal a spark of admiration.
Dismissing his remark, Sadie strode confidently towards the exit, pausing as she waited for the driver to open the door.
At that moment, Kyla descended the stairs, an elegant handbag in hand, her movements graceful and effortless.
“Noah, wait up,” Kyla called out sweetly, hooking her arm through his as they walked.
A slight frown marred Sadie’s features; she wasn’t in the mood to watch their flirtatious interaction along the way.
Above all, Sadie needed a moment to slip away.
“This car is too small,” she said decisively, her tone full of intent.
Noah chuckled dismissively, thinking Sadie was just being difficult. “Bring around a different car,” he commanded the driver, his voice tinged with derision.
A stretch Lincoln soon rolled up to the front door. Sadie compressed her lips.
Noah quietly relished Sadie’s evident annoyance.
“Come on, what are you waiting for? Get in,” he said impatiently.
Silently, Sadie climbed into the car and closed the door behind her. She watched the streets rush by, the outside world a blur as she meticulously planned her next move.
Before they arrived at their destination, she had to devise a meticulous plan.
Kyla remained close to Noah, her voice sweet as she said, “Noah, these leather seats are so comfortable. They must be imported from Ivernia, right?”
Her hand subtly grazed Noah’s, her tone flirtatious.
Across from them, Sadie looked out the window with an impassive face, seemingly unaffected by her surroundings. She kept her gaze fixed outside.
Kyla, smirking at Sadie’s indifference, teased, “Noah, look. Sadie isn’t even saying anything.”
Occasionally, Noah’s eyes wandered to Sadie.
Tonight, her silence was deep, unsettling him.
The car grew quiet, punctuated only by Kyla’s sporadic laughter.
Eventually, they pulled up to the Pearl Hotel’s grand entrance.
The entryway was brightly lit, swarming with guests in fine attire. As they disembarked, Kyla naturally tried to link arms with Noah, but he deftly sidestepped her.
He approached Sadie instead, taking her slightly cold hand in his. When Sadie instinctively pulled back, Noah tightened his hold and whispered, “Remember your place.”
At that moment, Sadie realized she was still bound to him as his wife and reluctantly accepted his arm.
Her face remained unsmiling, her expression laced with sarcasm.
She wondered who he was performing for. Was it Kyla?
Sadie glanced at Kyla.
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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