“Mr. Wall,” Sadie interjected, her restraint evaporating as she faced Noah directly. Her features hardened with resolve, each word tinged with a quiet ferocity. “If I’m denied the bonus for this project, then consider the proposal for Mr. Dominguez withdrawn. If he pushes for more details, don’t expect me to back you up.”
In that moment, Sadie realized she would rather face the repercussions than watch Noah reap the benefits of her diligence. Why should she be the one to endure such injustice? All she desired was a modest bonus to ease her and her child’s life after the divorce.
Why the hell couldn’t Noah just let her have this one?
With a heavy heart and no desire to linger, Sadie turned and walked away, each step echoing her profound disappointment.
Sadie’s high heels clicked sharply against the floor, each step echoing like a mockery of her misplaced confidence.
Kyla watched as Sadie walked away, a smug smile curling the corners of her lips. Her eyes and brows sparkled with uncontained triumph, as if she was savoring a small but sweet victory. “Noah, how could Sadie say that?” she asked, her voice tinged with grievance and accusation. “She works for Wall Group, so naturally, her project proposal belongs to the company.”
Noah’s gaze followed Sadie’s departure, his expression inscrutable. He gently removed Kyla’s hand, containing his inner conflict, and said softly, “Kyla, go home.”
Kyla’s smile faltered, her perfectly groomed eyebrows knitting together in frustration. She wasn’t ready to leave, not like this. It had taken so much effort to convince Noah to spend time with her, only for Sadie to ruin everything.
Suppressing her irritation, Kyla leaned in close, her arm wrapping around Noah’s with feigned tenderness. “Noah, let me stay with you. It’s been so hard for us to get back together…” Her voice was sweet but carried a hint of reproach, as if blaming Noah for their scarce moments together.
Noah deftly stepped away from her touch. “I’ll make time for us soon,” he assured her, his tone even and firm.
Before Kyla could say anything more, Noah walked away, his silhouette merging with the golden sunset, his presence marked by a cool detachment.
Kyla’s lips quivered slightly as she pressed her nails into her palm, seemingly unaware of the pain. She hadn’t anticipated such complications; Sadie was indeed a relentless problem!
Meanwhile, Sadie stepped out of the golf course, only to find herself surrounded by silence. The area was desolate, with no taxis in sight; it felt like a forgotten corner of the world.
Sadie’s stomach churned painfully, a stark reminder that the single piece of bread she’d eaten for lunch had done little to sustain her. The confrontation with Noah and Kyla had left her emotionally and physically drained, her body trembling with dizziness and exhaustion.
As she thought about her lost bonus, a fresh wave of frustration crashed over her. Her vision blurred, her legs buckled, and before she could steady herself, she collapsed onto the ground. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and unbidden.
What had she done to deserve this? She was bewildered by the harshness of her situation.
As Noah stepped outside, he instantly noticed Sadie’s plight. A flicker of surprise crossed his usually stern face, and his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. “What is she doing now?” he muttered.
But as Noah took in Sadie’s pale face and her lips pressed tightly together, as though she were fighting to hold back the pain, something inside him softened. Almost instinctively, he found himself walking toward her. Before he could second-guess his actions, he stood right before her.
Sadie’s stomach lurched painfully, and before she could stop herself, she bent over, retching violently and spitting out a mouthful of stomach acid.
Noah’s frown deepened, an unfamiliar emotion tightening his chest, something he couldn’t quite place.
Noah crouched beside Sadie, his brows drawn together. “Sadie, what’s wrong?” His voice was steady, but a faint, almost hidden hint of concern was beneath it.
Sadie fought to raise her head, her surroundings spinning as her vision blurred. She could barely make out Noah’s face through the fog of dizziness, but his features were still as perfect as ever, like a precision-made sculpture. But this time, his expression had an unfamiliar softness, a hint of concern that confused her.
“Noah…” Sadie’s voice trembled, barely audible.
Feeling a clench in his heart, Noah didn’t hesitate; he lifted Sadie into his arms.
As the world seemed to whirl around her, Sadie soon found herself cradled in a warm, yet strange, embrace.
She inhaled deeply, a blend of perfume and a trace of tobacco filling her senses – a scent that was unmistakably Noah’s.
“Noah, what are you doing?” Sadie asked, trying to wriggle free, but his grip only tightened.
“Stay still. We’re heading to the hospital,” Noah commanded, his expression severe, tolerating no opposition.
Confusion swirled within her once more, deep and perplexing. “I don’t want to go to the hospital!” The word “hospital” alone set Sadie on edge. She shoved hard against Noah’s chest. “Put me down!”
Without hesitation, Noah lifted her into the car and said to the driver, “Take us to the hospital.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital! Let me out!” Sadie cried out, her voice edged with desperation and despair.
Observing her ashen face and the defiant look in her eyes, Noah felt a surge of frustration. He firmly grasped her shoulders, his voice stern and urgent. “Sadie, stop this nonsense! If you felt unwell, why did you even meet with Roy?”
Pinned by his firm hold, Sadie ceased her struggles.
A sarcastic laugh escaped her, filled with self-derision. “What does it matter at this point? Wasn’t my bonus already cut? Today was just a futile effort on my part. So tell me, are you pleased now?”
Noah noticed the bitterness in Sadie’s gaze, and without thinking, his hold grew firmer, his tone colder. “Is your rush to accumulate wealth tied to your eagerness for a divorce?”
The pain in Sadie’s heart intensified as she looked into the eyes of the man she once adored, now confronting her so harshly. It felt as if needles were piercing through her heart, causing a deep, persistent ache.
Could it be that his frustration stemmed from a reluctance to end their marriage? Unlikely, considering Kyla was anxiously awaiting her turn to be his wife. How could Noah stand to disappoint the woman he loved?
As these thoughts raced through her mind, any faint hope Sadie clung to crumbled to nothing.
With a bitter chuckle and tears welling up in her eyes-yet defiantly not spilling over-Sadie forcefully removed Noah’s hands.
Her voice was steady and resolute, each word pushed out between gritted teeth. “Why deceive yourself? You’re just as keen for this divorce, aren’t you? Here’s your chance, right before you.”
The certainty in her eyes pierced Noah, kindling an unexplainable wave of irritation within him.
“Halt the vehicle,” Sadie commanded. Her tone was not loud, but unmistakably firm.
The driver caught Noah’s reflection in the rearview mirror. With no sign of dissent from Noah, he pulled the car over to the roadside. Sadie didn’t hesitate; she opened the door and exited the car immediately.
“Sadie!” Noah called out as he watched her resolute departure, feeling a rush of anger swelling in his heart.
She didn’t turn back. With purposeful steps, Sadie reached the curb, flagged down a taxi with quick, sure motions, and climbed in without a backward glance.
As the taxi blended into the night, Noah’s expression darkened significantly. He had always expected her to softly plead with him as she used to, but this time, she had not!
The cold within the car was evident, as Noah’s cold aura unsettled everyone.
In the passenger seat, Samuel sat rigid, acutely aware that any word from him could provoke Noah’s anger due to his terrible mood.
Silence hung heavy until Samuel tentatively broke it, saying, “Mr. Wall, should we continue on to Maple Group? I have already made an appointment with Mr. Dominguez.”
Noah, feeling a throb in his temples, gave a brief nod and muttered, “Drive.”
Samuel exhaled quietly in relief and signaled to the driver to move forward.
Meanwhile, Sadie, afraid of worrying Laura with her condition, returned to her apartment.
As soon as she exited the vehicle, a wave of nausea struck her hard, making her head spin.
Her sickness was more intense today, possibly aggravated by her scant lunch, unsettling the baby.
Supporting herself against the wall, Sadie retched a few times but didn’t vomit anything; she only felt painful cramps in her stomach. Gradually, she regained some balance and walked weakly to her apartment.
The tiny apartment had barely any furniture, but it was spotless and neatly kept.
Still, an undeniable loneliness hung in the air, echoing Sadie’s mood. Shaking off the feeling, she headed to the kitchen and made a bowl of mac and cheese.
The dish was bland, and the sauce was dull, but consuming the warm meal slowly helped her feel slightly better.
Sadie reclined in her chair, one hand resting on her still-flat belly as a wry smile touched her lips.
The light outside began to fade as the night deepened.
Then, a sharp ringtone pierced her reverie.
It was the unique ringtone she had set for Laura.
Swiftly, Sadie picked up the call. “Hello, Grandma?”
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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