?Chapter 813:


    As much as his heart ached at that realization, he chose not to exin himself any further.


    Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing her flush against his chest.


    Sadie froze,pletely caught off guard by his actions.


    Then that familiarvender scent rose to meet her, and eventually enveloped her.


    This time, however, without that silver mask covering his face, Noah’s presence was much clearer—and all the more unsettling.


    How did things end up this way?


    Noah rested his chin on top of Sadie’s head and gently nuzzled her hair. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in a desperate attempt to calm the raging emotions in his heart.


    “Sadie, just give me a little more time.”


    He felt her stiffen at his words. He tightened his arms around her.


    “I will get to the bottom of all of this.”


    Noah paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was deeper.


    “Hailey’s pregnancy has nothing to do with me.”


    Sadie inhaled sharply. She raised her head to look at him. She tried to push him away, but he held her even tighter.


    What did he mean—it had nothing to do with him? Was the baby not his?


    Noah felt Sadie rx slightly, so he loosened his grip a little, but made sure she stayed firmly in his embrace.


    “Sadie,” he said, his tone serious and weary. “All I ask is a little more time. Will you give me that, at least?”


    He reached up and stroked her hair, his gaze tender.


    “Ever since I returned from Nirvana yesterday, everything just didn’t feel right.”


    He paused again, trying to find the right words to say.


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    “A lot of things don’t make sense. That’s why I came here, to talk to you.”


    He desperately needed answers, and his instincts told him that the answersy with this woman in front of him.


    Sadie sighed and leaned her head against his broad chest.


    She had to admit, his plea stirred what she thought was her already lifeless heart.


    Had she been wrong in her assumptions?


    Gradually, the chaos in her mind began to settle, and the dull pain in her heart seemed to lessen.


    After collecting herself, Sadie gently pushed Noah away.


    She turned her back to him, her voice betraying none of her emotions when she said,


    .


    .


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