?Chapter 226:


    With a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pleading for a miracle.


    The phone continued to ring, each second stretching into an eternity.


    Just as despair was about to im her, the line connected. “Hello?”


    “Hello?” On the other end of the line came a gentle yet distant female voice.


    Sadie’s grip on the phone tightened instinctively.


    It was K.


    The hospital room was silent apart from Averi’s soft breaths and the steady beeps of the medical monitors. Why was K on the line instead of Noah?


    With rising anxiety suppressed within her, Sadie managed a steady tone. “Where’s Noah?”


    “He’s had too much to drink. He’s not in a state to talk right now.” K’s voice was soothing, apologetic, yet carried an undertone of satisfaction.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie’s stomach.


    Drunk?


    Memories of Noah’s indifference toward her, contrasting with his affection for K, filled her with a painful bitterness.


    Naturally. Noah and K were set to marry. It was logical for them to be together.


    A rueful smile crossed Sadie’s lips.


    Why should she expect anything different?


    The soft hospital lighting threw her weary features into stark relief, entuating her fatigue.


    She bit her lip with such force she nearly drew blood.


    For Averi’s sake, she had no choice but to swallow her dignity.


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    “K, what is it that you want?”


    After a pause, K’s voice returned, softer yet puzzled. “What do you mean? I just picked up the phone. Why are you speaking to me this way?”


    Sadie shut her eyes tightly.


    The false innocence in K’s voice was revolting to her.


    She was aware that K was deliberately taunting her, basking in her own triumph.


    Opening her eyes, Sadie retorted, “Enough with the act. I’m well aware of who you are. You’ve secured your ce beside Noah. And about Kairi, aren’t you worried about karma?”


    K’sughter was light, mocking, as if Sadie’s words were a joke. “Karma? Sadie, such naivety. Do you actually believe in divine justice? Strength rules, that’s the onlyw. You left the country once; you should have stayed away. What brought you back?”


    Sadie’s hands balled into fists.


    She had to bear this for Averi’s sake.


    “I’m pleading with you. Save Averi, and I’ll do whatever you ask. I’ll leave this instant and disappear forever.” Her voice was strained,den with despair.


    After a brief pause, K responded, amusement in her tone, “Disappear forever? Show me you mean it, Sadie.”


    Sadie’s heart was in her throat.


    But before she could respond, K hung up abruptly, deleting the call log right after.


    “What are you doing?” A deep male voice suddenly broke the silence, startling K so much that she nearly knocked over the ss on the table.


    She turned quickly to see Noah standing at the staircase.


    He was dressed in casual loungewear, the cor of his shirt slightly open, revealing his seductive corbones.


    His handsome face was unreadable, giving nothing away.


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