Chapter 22
At the mention of “your husband,” Sadie felt a sharp sting of bitterness surge through her. She managed a strained smile, masking the turmoil that the phrase evoked within her.
Jim had just finished tending to Sadie’s injury when he sought out Noah to discuss some necessary precautions. As he relayed the information, his gaze occasionally drifted toward Sadie, whose distant expression tugged at his curiosity.
Something about the evening’s atmosphere felt unsettlingly amiss.
Jim leaned closer to Noah under the guise of confidentiality, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Did you and your wife have a fight? She seems a bit… distant tonight.”
Noah paused, a shadow crossing his features. After a moment, he responded in a hushed tone, barely audible, “I’m planning to divorce her.”
Shock flickered across Jim’s face as he stared at Noah, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable. Observing Noah’s stern countenance, devoid of any humor, Jim let out a heavy sigh, tinged with regret.
“It’s your choice,” he finally said, his voice low and somber as he began to pack up his medical kit. “Just don’t do something you’ll wish you could take back.”
Noah, taken aback, felt a stab of irritation.
Why did everyone assume regret would follow his decision? Didn’t they understand? The love of his life had finally returned to him. He remained silent, lost in his thoughts, not fully grasping that some choices, once made, were irrevocable.
As Jim zipped up his kit, he turned to Sadie, offering her a gentle smile. “Take care, and try to get some rest,” he advised softly, his tone laced with concern. “I’ll be on my way.”
At his words, Sadie’s head snapped up, her eyes locking onto his with a desperate sharpness, as if she were grasping at a lifeline in a stormy sea.
Sadie knew seizing this moment was crucial for her escape.
“Wait, Dr. Archer!” she exclaimed suddenly, determination lighting her eyes. “I’m coming with you.”
She scrambled to slip back into her shoes, fumbling and hopping on one foot in her haste to catch up to Jim.
“Hey, slow down there!” Jim called out, surprised. He extended his hand to steady her, his eyes wide with concern.
As she made for the door, Sadie stumbled yet again, her foot twisting awkwardly.
“Ow…” she muttered, grimacing as a sharp pain shot through her. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. The only thing on her mind was getting out.
She just needed to escape, away from this suffocating place.
Just then, Noah snapped out of his reverie, catching the tail end of her frantic movements. His heart clenched with worry, propelling him forward. He reached her just in time to prevent another fall.
“Sadie!” he bellowed in anger. “I told you to rest, and here you are, disregarding your own health! Are you trying to worsen your injury?” His voice was thick with worry and frustration, his brow furrowed as he looked at her intently.
Sadie blinked at him, caught off guard by the sudden flare of anger in his eyes.
As Jim realized his presence was unnecessary, he silently retreated, melting into the shadows.
Noah scooped Sadie up in his arms, and she was immediately enveloped by the comforting, familiar scent of him—a scent that evoked memories of intimate nights they had once shared.
Despite the warmth of his embrace, Sadie was keenly aware that soon, he would no longer be hers. noveldrama
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