Chapter 12: Chapter 12

573 words

<html><head></head><body>Her voice quivered as she spoke, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The mention of Kyla seemed to jolt Noah out of his reverie. He reached out, cradling Sadie’s face in his hand, his thumb tenderly wiping away her tears. His voice was a soft whisper, trying to soothe her. “Come on, let’s just go home.” “Go home to what? To watch you play the devoted lover to her?” Sadie’s voice cracked, her resolve crumbling. She stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his, a silent plea in her eyes. “Noah, I’ve loved you unwaveringly for ten years! Yet, I’ve never had a place in your heart. I’ve sacrificed my dreams, my self-respect… I know I can’t demand your love, but do you really have to be this cruel? I hurt too, you know.” Her tears cascaded down her cheeks, each drop reflecting her broken heart. Noah, caught off-guard by her raw vulnerability, found himself at a loss. A heavy weight seemed to press on his chest, stealing his breath. “Sadie…” His heart ached to console her, but no matter how hard he tried, the words refused to leave his lips. “Noah, please, just leave. I can’t bear to look at you right now.” Sadie’s voice was laced with a palpable hurt. She turned her back to him, a clear dismissal. Noah lingered, his gaze fixed on her rigid shoulders, the silence stretching painfully between them. After a moment that felt like an eternity, he turned away, his footsteps echoing down the hall. The sound of the door closing behind him felt final, a resolute click severing their ties. Leaning against the wall, Sadie slid to the floor, her face buried in her knees as sobs wracked her body. gα?ησν?s?com is where imagination thrives The harsh truth settled in her heart; Noah would never truly grasp the depth of the pain he had inflicted on her.noveldrama Outside, the crisp night air did little to clear Noah’s troubled thoughts. His phone rang, Kyla’s voice floating through with a teasing undertone. “Noah, can you spend the night with me, please?” The fact that he hadn’t made a move on her was what unsettled her the most. Despite her obvious intentions, Noah responded firmly, “Get some rest, Kyla. We’ll talk at the office tomorrow.” “But Noah…” Kyla’s voice was a mix of disappointment and persistence. “I’m driving right now. We’ll catch up later,” Noah interjected, ending the call briskly. On the other end, Kyla’s eyes narrowed, the message from the private investigator she had hired burning in her mind. A dangerous plan was forming. The following morning, upon arrival at the office, Sadie was immediately met with curious glances and whispered murmurs from her colleagues. Her connection with them paid off when one of them pulled her aside and whispered, “Sadie, you should see what’s been sent to the company group chat.” Trepidation gripped Sadie as she lifted her phone. Among the flood of messages, she found the anonymous email—images that captured moments between her and Noah, and shockingly, one with Alex. As whispers swirled around her, Sadie felt the sting of each word like a slap. Colleagues she barely interacted with were painting her as the villain in a scandalous love triangle, labeling her a seductress and side chick. The comments were biting, filled with contempt. Grateful for the heads-up, Sadie gave a quick thanks and wasted no time heading straight to Samuel. . . . </body></html>