With a casual shrug, Jim remarked, “It hardly matters to me.” He then moved past Noah and made his way upstairs, leaving Noah brooding silently in the living room.
Jim knocked softly on the bedroom door, the sound barely audible.
“Come in.” Sadie’s response came from inside, her voice raspy and weak.
As Jim eased the door open, he caught sight of Sadie perched on the edge of the bed, her face slightly drained of color.
“What happened last night? Why did you cancel the plan?” Jim approached her, his voice laced with concern, his brow creased with a trace of puzzlement.
“It was too risky to go through with,” Sadie murmured, shaking her head as a wave of exhaustion seemed to wash over her. “I can’t afford to complicate things further.”
Her gaze lifted, eyes steeling with resolve. “I need to figure out a way to step out in the next few days.”
“Step out?” Jim frowned slightly. “Where do you plan to go?”
“Anywhere but here,” Sadie stated, her voice quivering as she gripped the blanket, her knuckles blanching.
“There’s no way Noah’s letting you step out alone,” Jim pointed out.
“I know,” Sadie sighed deeply, her expression fraught with determination. “That’s why I need you. Could you possibly speak with Noah?”
She gazed at Jim, desperation flickering in her eyes. “Tell him I’ve got work to handle, and if the business partners can’t get a hold of me, they’ll start getting suspicious.”
Jim held her gaze, a silent moment passing between them before he nodded, his expression solemn. “I’ll do what I can,” he assured her.
“Thanks, Jim,” Sadie said, her voice threaded with gratitude as a warm smile brightened her face.
“Don’t stress yourself out over it,” Jim replied, his voice mellowing as he locked eyes with her. “I’ll do my best to help you.”
He hesitated, his concern evident as he continued, “Just make sure you’re eating well and resting enough. It’s not just about you anymore; the baby needs it too.”
“I know, I know,” Sadie murmured, her gaze drifting away thoughtfully.
Jim’s expression was a complex tapestry of emotions as he watched her, wanting to say more but ultimately holding back.
With quiet resolve, he turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him before making his way downstairs.
Noah was still there, framed against the vast floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, lost in thought.
As Jim’s footsteps echoed softly, Noah turned, his gaze intense and laden with unspoken words.
“What were you and Sadie discussing?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.
“Nothing,” Jim answered, stopping to face him, his posture tense.
“But you were in there for a long time,” Noah pressed, skepticism sharpening his tone.
“Just some stuff about her health,” Jim replied, shifting uncomfortably. “Sadie’s… she’s not doing great.”
He took a deep breath, steeling himself before adding, “Noah, this isn’t working. You can’t keep going on like this.”
Noah’s frown deepened, a shadow falling over his features.
“The way things are between you two-it’s helping no one,” Jim continued, his voice firm with conviction. “If you’re set on divorcing, why delay it?”
Noah’s voice was thick with scorn as he sneered dismissively. “Divorce? Who said we’re getting a divorce?”
He took a step closer, his piercing gaze locked on Jim. “Do you have some kind of crush on her?”
Jim bristled, his tone heated as he shot back, “What bullshit are you spewing now? As someone not directly involved, I have to say this seems really unfair to her.”
“Unfair?” Noah echoed, dripping with sarcasm. “Look, our issues are none of your concern.”
“I was merely trying to-” Jim began, but Noah cut him off with an icy sharpness that left no room for argument.
“You don’t have to come to Myrtlewood Estate anymore-consider this your last visit.”
His words hung heavily in the air as he turned sharply and ascended the stairs, leaving Jim frozen in place, a storm brewing across his features.
Watching Noah’s determined departure, Jim felt a crushing wave of defeat.
He pulled out his phone with a shaky hand and typed a message to Sadie. “I did everything I could.”
After confirming the message was sent, he pocketed his phone and walked away from Myrtlewood Estate, each step heavy with resignation.
On her end, Sadie stared at the glowing text on her screen, a wave of desolation washing over her.
Uncertain of her next move, she was jolted from her thoughts by a sudden knock at the door.
Panic flickered across her face as she stashed her phone away, composing herself before answering.
Opening the door, she found Noah filling the doorway, his imposing figure casting a long shadow. His voice was emotionless, almost mechanical. “Are you already bored of staying at Myrtlewood Estate?”
A bitter chuckle escaped Sadie’s lips, sorrow lingering in her heart. “Bored? Mr. Wall, is that really what you think being trapped here feels like?”
“Noah Wall, I’m a living person, not your caged pet,” Sadie said, her voice tight with anger. “What gives you the right to take away my freedom?”
Noah’s eyes narrowed, taking in her defiance with a cold, calculating look.
“Answer my question,” he responded, his tone heavy and demanding.
In her mind, Sadie clung to a sliver of hope for freedom from her confinement.
“I absolutely want out!” she replied boldly, challenging him. “So, Mr. Wall, will you set me free?”
“Tomorrow marks the Maple Group CEO’s wedding anniversary celebration,” Noah said. “As Mrs. Wall, your role is to support me as my wife.”
A spark of resolve flashed in Sadie’s eyes.
“Fine,” she responded swiftly, her voice tinged with urgency.
Noah studied her for a moment longer before exiting the room. As his silhouette vanished through the door, Sadie exhaled deeply, her shoulders dropping as the tension eased.
She moved to the window, looking out at the sky, her emotions swirling.
Just then, Kyla approached with a sly grin.
“It was I who proposed the idea of letting you attend the anniversary party to Noah,” she said, her voice laced with pride. “So, you should thank me.”
Suspicion clouded Sadie’s eyes, a tremor of unease stirring within her. “What do you want?”
Kyla fixed her with a stern look. “I’ve made myself clear. Stay away from Noah,” she said, her voice sharp. “If you don’t, I’ll sabotage your plan.”
A chill ran through Sadie as she realized Kyla meant what she said. She clenched her jaw tightly. “I’m going to leave the country, and get as far away as possible.”
A triumphant smile played on Kyla’s lips. “That’s excellent.”
Once Kyla left, Sadie inhaled deeply, struggling to calm the storm of feelings within her, and picked up the phone to call Alex.
“Alex, could you book a plane ticket for me? I need to depart after the Maple Group CEO’s wedding anniversary event tomorrow night,” she said with forced calmness, though her voice quivered slightly.
“The anniversary event? When does it start, and where is it happening?” Alex asked.
“It’s set for eight in the evening at the Pearl Hotel,” Sadie responded quickly, thinking about her escape plan.
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.
Leave a Reply