Without hesitation, Sadie pressed the emergency call button.
Within moments, a nurse hurried into the room, her expression one of concern. “What’s the matter? Are you in pain?”
Pointing an accusing finger at Noah, Sadie declared, “He’s disturbing my peace. Could you please ask him to leave?”
The nurse’s demeanor shifted to one of professional firmness as she turned to Noah. “This is a hospital. We prioritize our patient’s recovery above all else. I must ask you to leave now. If you refuse, we will have to prohibit you from future visits.”
With a reluctant heave of his shoulders, Noah stood up and took a few begrudging steps towards the door. Pausing, he threw a challenging look back at Alex and demanded, “Aren’t you leaving too?”
Alex’s response was cool and measured. “Sadie asked for you to leave, not me.”
Noah’s fury surged once more, his fists clenching tightly as he turned back, ready to confront Alex again.
The nurse grabbed Noah’s arm. “This is a hospital, not a stage for your drama!”
With a decisive tug, she escorted Noah out of the room. The door slammed shut with a resonant thud, sealing him off.
The corridor was silent, save for the whistle of the cold wind that seeped through an open window at its end. The chill it brought barely compared to the deeper cold spreading through Noah.
He was accustomed to being shielded by his privilege, and such dismissive treatment was unfamiliar to him.
He peered through the door’s glass, his gaze landing on Alex, who was dabbing at the blood trickling from his lip. The stark red against his skin was jarring.
Nearby, Sadie offered him a tissue, her eyes filled with concern-a look that was once reserved for Noah.
A sharp pain carved through his heart.
His fists balled at his sides, knuckles blanching, Noah lingered outside, the weight of his thoughts anchoring him in place.
Eventually, he turned away, his figure stretching beneath the corridor lights, exuding an unmistakable sense of solitude.
Settling into his car, he dialed Samuel. “Who runs this hospital?” he began, his voice a mix of frustration and determination. “Let them know that the Wall Group wants to collaborate. As for the terms… I want a seat as a partner in this hospital.”
He continued the conversation with Samuel, plotting his next moves carefully.
After hanging up, he reclined in his seat, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the steering wheel. The pace was controlled, almost casual, but the tension simmered beneath.
He would step through that door again soon-not as someone the hospital could throw out, but as a partner they couldn’t ignore. No one, not even Sadie herself, would have the power to make him leave her ward-he could stay as long as he wanted.
The thought made Noah pause.
Did he really spend over ten million dollars just to make sure no one could keep him from Sadie’s bedside?
The thought clung to him stubbornly, refusing to dissipate.
Rubbing his temples, Noah felt a nagging ache spread across his forehead.
Confusion clouded his mind.
Was this surge of panic solely about Sadie’s accident, or was it the deep, piercing concern in her eyes that had thrown him off balance?
No, that couldn’t be it.
His heart belonged to Kyla.
As he wrestled with his thoughts, his phone shattered the silence, its abrupt ringtone slicing through the air.
“Mother” flashed across the screen.
He hesitated, then answered with a tentative, “Hello?”
“I heard Kyla had a heart attack. How is she? Is she feeling better?” Isabel’s voice crackled through the line, each word laced with palpable urgency.
Noah’s irritability peaked as he gave a terse, “Yes,” in response.
Isabel’s voice sharpened with concern. “Why this cold indifference, Noah? Kyla developed a heart condition saving your life. You should be by her side, caring for her deeply!”
Noah’s mind flashed back to the harrowing moment when Sadie called for help after her accident, and he had been steadfastly supporting Kyla. Wasn’t that proof enough of his dedication?
“Mom,” Noah began, his voice tinged with frustration. “Sadie got into a car accident. I just went to check on her condition.”
Isabel let out a dismissive scoff on the other end. “Well, as long as she’s still alive, I guess that’s all that matters.”
A frown marred Noah’s face as he registered his mother’s blatant disregard for Sadie, sparking an irritation within him that he couldn’t suppress. Compelled to defend his wife, he said, “Mom, Sadie is your daughter-in-law. You should Isabel cut him off sharply, her voice slicing through the tension. “I’ve never accepted her as my daughter-in-law! Didn’t you promise to divorce her? So what’s the holdup? Don’t tell me you actually like her now.”
A heavy weight seemed to press down on Noah’s chest, squeezing the air from his lungs. He quickly countered, “Of course not!” There was no way he could have feelings for Sadie.
The mere thought was absurd.
A woman who was inferior to Kyla in every way could never capture his heart.
Relieved by his response, Isabel let out a soft sigh. “That’s good to hear. Just remember, Noah, beneath Sadie’s seemingly innocent exterior lies a cunning woman. She-“
Noah ended the call abruptly, cutting off Isabel’s complaints with a frustrated swipe. He knew that if she found out he’d spent ten million just to secure access to Sadie’s hospital room, she’d lose her mind.
Rubbing his temples to ease the mounting stress, Noah summoned Samuel to drive him home. Throughout the ride, he noticed Samuel glancing at him through the rearview mirror, a hesitant look on his face.
“Samuel, if you’ve got something on your mind, just say it,” Noah said as he closed his eyes to rest.
Samuel took a deep breath, choosing his words with caution. “Mr. Wall, considering Mrs. Wall’s accident and her condition, perhaps it might help if you were to comfort her. If you show genuine care, she will surely forgive you.”
Noah’s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as he stared back at Samuel through the mirror. “Who told you I’m interested in making up with Sadie? We’re on the brink of divorce!”
Samuel’s expression briefly stiffened before he quickly composed himself. “Understood, Mr. Wall. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
Silence enveloped the car, thickening the already tense atmosphere. Samuel kept his focus on the road, not daring to break the silence. The only sound was the low hum of the engine.
After about ten minutes, just when Samuel assumed Noah might have dozed off, Noah suddenly commanded, “Find out what Sadie likes.” Startled, Samuel nearly lost control of the wheel. “Huh?” he exclaimed.
Noah’s eyes opened slowly, his gaze piercing. “Why does that surprise you?”
“Sorry, Mr. Wall. I’ll get on it right away,” Samuel replied stiffly, his focus returning to the road, though internally, he questioned Noah’s stubbornness.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Sadie looked at the bruise on Alex’s lip, her voice soft with remorse. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured. “It’s my fault Noah misunderstood you, and you ended up hurt.”
Alex wiped away the trickle of blood from his mouth and offered Sadie a gentle, reassuring smile. “Don’t blame yourself for what he’s done. His mistakes aren’t your responsibility.”
Stunned by Alex’s words, Sadie momentarily lost herself in thought. Over the years, she had melded her identity so completely with Noah’s-sacrificing her dreams, managing their home, and constantly putting herself in danger for his sake. Yet, the stark reality was that Noah seemed indifferent to her life and the life of their unborn child.
What did she truly mean to him? Was she just an expendable part of his life?
A sharp, lingering pain throbbed in Sadie’s heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to push the bitterness down. This time, she wouldn’t let it consume her. This time, she wouldn’t cling to someone who treated her like she was disposable.
Alex stood and walked to the IV stand, adjusting the nearly empty infusion bottle. The soft, rhythmic drip of the liquid filled the quiet room.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm and steady. “You’ve done enough for him, Sadie. It’s time to do something for yourself.”
Sadie’s eyes dulled with resignation. “I’m planning on divorcing him,” she admitted.
She sighed deeply, her brow furrowing with concern. “But there’s a complication. My grandmother desperately needs funds for her medical treatment, and I need a lucrative project to cover the costs. If I made too much of a scene with Noah, he could make things difficult for me.”
Alex’s expression grew thoughtful as he processed her words. After a brief pause, he inquired, “What project are you considering?”
“There’s a fashion brand that’s embracing classic styles,” Sadie answered, a spark of enthusiasm in her tone despite the circumstances. “It perfectly matches my design skills. I’ve been trying to connect with them, but it’s been tough to break through.”
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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