They came to a stop outside a trendy bistro, and Noah escorted Sadie through its doors. Inside, the restaurant radiated elegance, its soft lighting enveloping the space in a cozy ambiance. They were led by a server to a window-side table where menus awaited them.
Noah promptly ordered from memory, choosing dishes Sadie once adored, without so much as a glance at the menu. Gazing upon the array of familiar dishes stirred a tempest of emotions within Sadie. Bittersweet memories, once cherished, now tinged her thoughts with irony.
“You…” began Sadie, her voice faltering briefly as she broached the heavy topic. “When can we finalize our divorce?”
Noah’s cutlery hung in the air, his expression briefly betraying his surprise. He looked up, his gaze landing on Sadie’s calm face.
“What’s the rush?” asked Noah, a wry smile touching his lips, his words edged with a hint of scorn. “Is it because you’re in a hurry to wed Alex?”
A wave of disappointment washed over Sadie; she hadn’t expected him to see her in such a light.
The abrupt ring of a phone pierced the mounting tension. With a slight frown, Noah retrieved his phone from his pocket and eyed the caller ID. Silently, Sadie observed the changes flickering across his face, emotions she couldn’t quite name swirling within her.
“Hello?” Noah spoke into the phone.
Kyla’s frail voice responded, her tone quivering with distress, “Noah, I… I’m feeling terrible…” She gasped, her voice breaking. “My chest… it hurts so badly… Can you come and take me to the hospital?”
Noah hesitated for a moment, his indecision palpable even over the phone. Kyla, sensing his hesitation, sounded even more aggrieved. “Noah, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Noah took a deep breath. “I’ll be back right away.” He ended the call and turned to Sadie. “Kyla isn’t feeling well. I have to go back.”
Sadie remained silent, her gaze steady on him. She felt no need to respond. Kyla’s wellbeing was not her concern.
“Sadie…” Noah started, as if he wanted to explain further, but then he stopped himself. He stood up, collected his coat, and left the restaurant without another glance.
Sadie watched him leave, feeling a chill settle over her heart. It was clear as ever; Kyla was always his priority. And she, Sadie, was just a temporary fill-in.
With Noah gone, the fine dishes before her lost all appeal. She took a sip of water, settled the bill, and left.
Meanwhile, Noah drove back to the Wall Group headquarters. In the CEO’s office on the top floor, Kyla was anxiously waiting on the sofa. Her face brightened when Noah entered. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Noah, you’re back!” But Noah’s face was grim.
He gently but firmly pushed Kyla away. “What’s going on?”
Kyla, taken aback by his stern tone, faltered and said, “I… I wasn’t feeling well earlier…”
“Go to the hospital,” he said coldly.
Kyla’s expression revealed her guilt as her eyes darted around nervously. “Noah, actually… I’m feeling much better now. No need for a hospital visit.”
She watched Noah’s expression carefully, her voice tentative. “I-I hope I didn’t interrupt your meal with Sadie, did I?”
Noah’s brow furrowed, and he gripped her wrist a bit too sharply. “Kyla, I’ve tolerated a lot from you, but don’t cross my bottom line.” Kyla stiffened. Bottom line? Did he mean Sadie? Kyla’s heart burned with resentment. Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, “Noah, you’re hurting me.”
Noah abruptly released her wrist. “If you pull that stunt again, you won’t have a place here.”
Kyla’s face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. “Noah, I’m sorry…” Her voice trembled, and tears filled her eyes. “I promise it won’t happen again.”
Despite her tearful, pitiful appearance, Noah remained stoic. He didn’t spare her another glance as he turned and walked out of the office.
Bang! The door slammed shut behind him.
Kyla clenched her fists tightly. “Sadie! Always Sadie!” she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice seething with venom. “Why did you come back? How do you always manage to survive?”
She abruptly stood up and began pacing the office in agitated steps. “And that child…” Kyla suddenly stopped. “Noah must never find out about that child’s existence! Absolutely not!”
Sadie returned to her studio. Pierre immediately approached her. “Miss Hudson, are you okay?”
Sadie offered a faint smile. “I’m fine. The partnership is secure.”
“That’s great,” Pierre said, relief evident in his voice.
Sadie walked over to her desk and sat down, starting to pack up. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be at Wall Group for a while. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, just call me anytime.”
Sadie rubbed her temples after giving her assistant instructions, trying to soothe the persistent ache. The fatigue from the recent days overwhelmed her, urging her just to go home and collapse. She picked up her bag and left the studio.
“Sadie, let me drive you,” a familiar voice offered from beside her.
Looking up, she saw Alex by his car, parked at the curb, watching her intently.
“That’s kind of you, but I’ll take a cab.” She declined politely, not wanting to be a burden.
“It’s late, and it’s not safe to be out alone. Please, get in,” Alex insisted. After hesitating, Sadie nodded, opened the passenger door, and climbed in.
“You don’t have to chauffeur me anymore, Alex. It’s too much trouble for you,” she murmured, buckling up.
As Alex started the car, his face showed concern and something else he kept hidden. “You’re going to work at Wall Group?”
“Yes, it’s a joint project. I couldn’t say no,” Sadie responded, her voice filled with reluctance.
“Sadie…” Alex started, then stopped, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. He knew too well the hurt Noah had caused her. The prospect of her facing that old torment bothered him.
“I know what you’re worried about, Alex,” Sadie said, turning to face him firmly. “But I need to do this for the studio. I’ll be back once it’s done.”
Alex exhaled slowly. “I still don’t feel comfortable with you being around Noah.”
Sadie let out a bitter laugh. “Alex, Noah and I are over. He’s just a business partner now. Besides…”
She paused, her tone tinged with irony. “His heart is with Kyla. He doesn’t care about me.”
Alex clenched the steering wheel tighter, a twinge of pain crossing his face.
“Sadie!” He tried again, but the words stuck.
Sadie turned to the window. “Thank you, Alex. I really value this.” Silence fell heavily in the car, punctuated only by the engine’s soft rumble.
As they reached Laura’s apartment complex, the car stopped smoothly. As soon as Sadie emerged, a small figure raced toward her, wrapping himself in her embrace. “Mommy!” It was Averi. His face buried against her, he murmured, “Mommy, you’re home.” Sadie’s heart warmed instantly. She knelt, lifted Averi into her arms, and kissed his cheek. “Have you been good, Averi?”
“I have!” he replied, beaming, his arms tight around Sadie’s neck, his eyes shining with delight.
Noticing Alex exit the car, Averi offered a polite greeting. “Good evening, Alex.”
Alex smiled at the tender scene and gently tousled Averi’s hair. “Averi, you’re such a good boy.”
“Sadie, have you been looking for a rental place?” Alex inquired, concern evident in his tone.
The question reminded Sadie of her neglected task. “I’ll start tomorrow.”
“Why don’t I help you? You seem tired,” Alex said, his concern palpable.
“That’s very kind, but I can handle it, Alex. You’ve done enough,” Sadie replied with sincerity, her voice edged with guilt.
She was grateful for Alex’s generosity, yet she was determined not to depend on him continuously. She needed to be self-sufficient to safeguard both herself and her son.
“That’s what friends are for,” Alex said, smiling weakly.
He watched Sadie cuddling Averi, their tender interaction evoking a whirl of emotions in him. How he wished he could openly be at her side. But…
He glanced at Sadie, yet found himself speechless, the words he needed to say trapped in his throat.
“Go upstairs and rest,” he murmured gently.
Sadie nodded, and with Averi snug in her arms, she headed upstairs.
“Bye!” Averi shouted.
“Bye.”
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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