As the milkshakes dwindled to just two remaining cups, she scanned the room and asked with a soft, inviting voice, “Is there anyone who hasn’t received their milkshake?”
Tina exchanged a hesitant glance with Sadie, her expression torn.
The weight of loyalty tugged at her heartstrings. Sadie had become more than just a colleague; she was a friend, someone Tina was inclined to support without hesitation.
Yet, the prospect of being the only rebel to decline Kyla’s offering hung over her like a dark cloud-a mark of defiance that could isolate her in this tight-knit office environment.
Sadie caught the flicker of conflict in Tina’s eyes and felt a surge of warm gratitude mixed with concern.
She treasured Tina’s support but was keenly aware of the potential repercussions it could bring upon her friend in such a scrutinizing setting.
Sadie nudged Tina’s arm just enough to get her attention and said softly, “Go grab the milkshake. I’m fine, really. Don’t trouble yourself over me.”
Tina hesitated, her lip caught nervously between her teeth, before her hand shot up with a reluctant, “Me!”
Kyla passed the frosty drink to Tina, her gaze drifting leisurely toward Sadie, her smile unwavering and radiant. “And Sadie, this one’s for you.” She offered the last cup with warmth, as if they were long-lost friends reunited.
Sadie eyed the creamy concoction, the pungent aroma of fresh milk hitting her hard, the sugary scent nearly overpowering, churning her stomach.
With a subtle step back, she lowered her voice and gently declined. “No, thank you. I’m actually allergic to milkshakes.”
A hush fell over the room as curious eyes darted between Sadie and Kyla.
Sadie’s refusal, meant to be discreet and polite, seemed to strike a nerve.
Kyla’s expression shifted subtly, her eyes downcast as her lashes cast shadows across her porcelain cheeks. Her voice was tinged with hurt, almost too faint to catch.
“Sadie, it seems you’re still holding a grudge. Why else would you make up such a lame excuse like a milkshake allergy just to turn me down?”
That single, biting sentence drew a clear line between Sadie and everyone else in the room.
As expected, a wave of criticism swiftly followed, targeting Sadie with sharp, unsparing words.
“Sadie, that was uncalled for. Kyla admitted her mistake and genuinely apologized-don’t make this tougher on her than it needs to be!”
“Come on, it’s just a cup of milkshake. Is it really that big of a deal?”
“Kyla has good intentions. How could you be so harsh?”
Each syllable of reproach sliced through Sadie like shards of ice, her heart sinking with every word.
She mustered a brittle smile, her face a mask of forced composure. Drawing in a deep breath to quell the tempest of emotions churning inside her, Sadie fixed her gaze on Kyla.
“Kyla, this is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
Her response was measured and firm, the clarity of her tone cutting through the murmurs of the office.
The office fell silent, all eyes darting between the two women. Kyla’s response was not one of irritation, but of increased radiance; her smile widened, tinged with a provocative and triumphant gleam.
It was as if she was silently proclaiming her victory, suggesting that Sadie was no match for her cunning.
With a sly smirk, Kyla leaned in, her crimson lips hovering near Sadie’s ear, whispering just loud enough for her alone to hear. “That’s right. I’m telling you that if I wanted to strip you of everything, it would be as easy as pie.”
The heat of her breath tickled the sensitive skin behind Sadie’s ear, sending an involuntary shiver cascading down her spine. Her fists clenched tightly, nails digging into the flesh of her palms.
Sadie fought the fierce urge to strike Kyla.
But this was their workplace, after all. Noah was just next door, separated only by a thin wall. Acting on impulse now would do nothing but backfire on her.
Kyla took silent pleasure in the way Sadie kept herself in check, as if savoring a secret triumph.
There was something deeply gratifying about seeing Sadie so visibly disturbed yet utterly powerless; it affirmed Kyla’s dominance, complete and undisputed.
Straightening up, Kyla smoothly transitioned back to her usual poised and polished demeanor. She cleared her throat slightly and raised her voice, ensuring everyone could hear her.
“Sadie, I understand you haven’t been feeling great lately. Noah and I decided it would be best for you to take a break and focus on recovering.”
Her voice was dripping with sweetness, her tone so tender, as if she genuinely cared for Sadie’s well-being.
Yet, a cold shiver crawled down Sadie’s spine as anger surged within her, bubbling dangerously close to the surface.
Her eyes widened in sheer disbelief as she fixed her piercing gaze on Kyla, her words coming out sharply through clenched teeth.
“Who do you think you are to decide for me?”
The fury in Sadie’s eyes burned brightly.
She was baffled by Kyla’s audacity to interfere in her life, boldly taking it upon herself to dictate her actions at work!
Meanwhile, Kyla adopted the facade of an aggrieved innocent. Her eyes were tinged with red, yet her tone stayed soothing and calm.
“Sadie, don’t take this the wrong way. I’m only doing what’s best for you. You’ve been sick and overworking yourself. I just don’t want you to collapse from exhaustion. “Noah and I talked it over, and this is what we decided. Isn’t that right, Noah?”
As the words left her lips, she glanced at Noah with feigned helplessness, as if seeking support, though no one had realized when he had arrived at the door.
Noah, distinguished in a sharply tailored black suit that highlighted his stern posture and cold aura, gave a noncommittal “mm-hmm” before advising, “Pushing yourself while you’re unwell won’t do anyone any favors-it’ll just add to the company’s burden.”
Sadie cast her gaze downward, masking the bitterness and despair swirling in her eyes, and murmured in a hushed tone, “Understood, Mr. Wall.”
Observing her distress, Tina quickly closed the distance between them, tenderly grasping Sadie’s hand and whispering, “Sadie, it’s really okay to take a break. Don’t overthink it. Remember, your health comes first.”
With a strained smile, Sadie tightened her grip on Tina’s hand, expressing her gratitude. “Thanks, Tina. I appreciate your concern.”
With no further obligations at work, Sadie decided it was time to leave for her grandma’s place, where she would stay for a while. In a world that often felt lonely, Laura was her only family and the only light that kept her heart warm.
As she gathered her things, memories of the earlier confrontations haunted her-Noah’s aloofness, Kyla’s gloating, and the inquisitive stares from her colleagues felt like daggers to her soul, suffocating her spirit.
“Sadie?” Laura’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw Sadie. “What are you doing here?”
Having just wrapped up a line dancing class with her close friends, Laura entered her kitchen to find Sadie unexpectedly standing there, holding a spatula.
Sadie mustered a strained smile as she arranged the stir-fried vegetables on the plate, her movements deliberate, aiming to project calm. “Grandma, I made some dishes for you! Come taste them and tell me what you think.”
Laura regarded Sadie with a gentle, perceptive look as she placed her palm fan beside her on the table. She hadn’t even touched her food when she pinned Sadie with a deep, penetrating stare, as though she could unravel all the secrets Sadie was trying to hide.
Feeling a tingle of unease under Laura’s intense scrutiny, Sadie maintained her poise. She served a bowl of shrimp and grits-Laura’s favorite-and attempted to steer the conversation away from the tension. “Grandma, please have some. I remember how much you used to enjoy my shrimp and grits.”
Yet Laura wasn’t swayed by the diversion. She continued to study Sadie with a solemn expression, and her voice was slow and measured when she finally spoke. “Sadie, did something happen between you and that young man, Alex?”
At the mention of Alex, a flicker of discomfort crossed Sadie’s face, and her grip on the fork tightened imperceptibly. She conjured a light, dismissive smile and reassured Laura. “Grandma, everything’s fine. Please, don’t worry about it.”
“Sadie,” Laura responded with a mix of firmness and affection, “I might not be as sharp or as capable as I once was, and there’s only so much I can do for you, but promise me this-don’t ever let anyone hurt you. If your heart is heavy, just come home. I’m always here, waiting.”
Instead of challenging Sadie’s pretense, Laura simply extended her hand and clasped Sadie’s, her fingers warm against Sadie’s chill. Her voice was soft yet unwavering, a testament to her unconditional support.
Overwhelmed, Sadie could no longer contain her emotions. Her nose tingled as tears surged, blurring her vision, and she choked out a barely audible, “Grandma…”
Laura, her heart swelling with tenderness, drew Sadie into a warm embrace, her hand gently patting her back in a comforting rhythm reminiscent of Sadie’s childhood. Softly, she murmured, “Look at you, my dear, still so quick to cry just like when you were a little girl.”
Nestled against Laura’s shoulder, Sadie found solace in the familiar, soothing scent of lavender soap, a fragrance that always seemed to calm her storms.
She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to still the chaotic whirlwind of her emotions.
Now wasn’t the time to break-she had to stay strong.
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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