Chapter 25

Hastily, he strode out of the bathroom, the sound of his footsteps fading away, followed by the decisive click of the door closing behind him.

In the now-quiet room, Sadie’s tension unraveled suddenly.

She sat on the cold floor, clutching her stomach tightly.

Although she had anticipated this outcome, a sharp pang of pain still shot through her heart.

In Kyla’s shadow, she felt endlessly sidelined, like nothing more than a disposable —cherished only when needed, then carelessly cast aside.

Despite it all, she clung to a foolish sliver of hope, hoping that perhaps, one day, her presence might mean more.

With an empty, aching stomach from skipping dinner and earlier bouts of nausea, Sadie managed a rueful grin.

She braced herself against the wall, awkwardly hopping on one foot as she made her way outside.

Determination etched her features. She had to step away from it all—resign, leave Noah, and never look back.noveldrama

The stiff sofa and biting cold made for a miserable night, forcing her in and out of light, uneasy sleep.

As she languished in a groggy haze, the room seemed to grow colder, hinting at an intrusion.

A draft whispered through the room, and Sadie sensed the presence of someone else. Her eyelids, heavy as lead, fought against her efforts to see who it was.

“Don’t move.” A low, mesmerizing voice brushed against her ear, laced with quiet gentleness.

His large hand rested gently on her forehead, the heat from his touch making his features crease with concern.

? .

With a smooth motion, she was lifted, the refreshing scent of mint enveloping her like a fleeting breeze.

Almost instantly, however, the invasive aroma of medicinal bitterness overwhelmed her senses, pungent and overpowering, making her recoil.

She coughed violently, her body rejecting both the strong smell and the notion of treatment. With a feeble hand, she pushed away the proffered bowl of medicine. “I don’t feel well. I really can’t take this,” she whispered hoarsely.

“Just try,” the man insisted softly, his voice firm yet threaded with concern. His fingers tenderly grasped her chin, coaxing her to face him, his expression unwavering with patience.

“Noah…” she murmured in a daze, her voice trailing off as if clinging to the threads of her fading consciousness.

The man paused mid-motion, a storm of unspoken emotions swirling in his profound gaze.

Eventually, Sadie meekly complied, the bitter medicine coursing down her throat.

As her world blurred into shadows, she felt a gentle pressure as he carefully laid her on the bed, the sheets rustling softly around her.

Even as she drifted off, the room clung to a faint aroma of tobacco—a lingering trace of his presence, mingled with an elusive, comforting reassurance.

Morning light spilled across Sadie’s face as she stirred awake. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was resting on a soft bed, the aches in her body now a distant memory.

“Could Noah have returned?” she whispered to herself, pushing herself up against the plush pillows, her mind replaying the fragmented memories of the night before.

That familiar commanding voice, those gentle, searching eyes—could it really have been him?

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