?Chapter 1243:


    Sadie had just settled into her car when her phone buzzed.


    It was Noah’s mother.


    “Sadie, are you free right now? Why don’t youe to Wall Manor and have lunch with me?”


    Sadie checked the time—it was nearing noon. “Alright, I’m on my way.” She hung up, started the car, and drove through the quiet roads.


    Half an hourter, she pulled up to the familiar gates of Wall Manor.


    As soon as she stepped inside, Averi flung himself at her, wrapping his little arms tightly around her leg.


    Sadie bent down and scooped him into her arms, inhaling the sweet, warm scent of her son as she kissed his soft cheek.


    Just looking into his bright, trusting eyes took away all the exhaustion of the past few days.


    “Averi, did you miss Mommy?”


    The little boy nodded eagerly, nestling closer into her neck. “I did. Mommy… where’s Daddy?”


    The innocent question pierced Sadie’s heart.


    Her arms instinctively tightened around him, but her words stalled in her throat. How could she exin something soplicated to someone so young?


    But Averi didn’t wait. “Grandma told me everything. Mr. Noel is Daddy. Mommy, I miss Daddy.”


    So Isabel had already told him.


    It spared Sadie the effort of exining things herself—but the simple, heartfelt words “I miss Daddy” echoed in her chest like a silent cry.


    She gently ran her fingers through Averi’s soft hair, her voice as tender as a whisper. “Daddy’s not feeling well right now, sweetheart. He’s getting treatment. But once he gets better, he’lle back to see you. I promise.”


    The light in Averi’s eyes dimmed, his expression crumpling with quiet disappointment.


    Without a word, he wriggled from her embrace and padded over to the corner of the room, settling down beside his toy blocks. He began stacking them absently, his tiny figure weighed down with a sadness no child should have to carry.


    Sadie’s heart clenched. The sight of her little boy, so subdued, pierced deeper than any wound.


    She owed her son so much. The guilt pressed down on her like a heavy fog.


    Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the staircase.


    Isabel appeared, moving slowly, her eyesnding on the forlorn child in the corner.


    A soft sigh escaped her lips, sorrow shadowing her features.


    So much had happened. Too much for such a small heart to bear.


    Sadie moved quickly to support her.


    “How have you been feeling, Isabel? I’m sorry I haven’te often. Work has been…” She trailed off, her voice tinged with regret.


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