?Chapter 1244:


    Isabel gave her hand a gentle pat, her expression warm despite the fatigue in her eyes.


    “You’ve had a lot on your shoulders, Sadie. I understandpletely. As for me—I’m just an old woman, not much help these days.” She paused, her tone shifting. “I asked you toe back because there’s something I need to talk to you about.”


    Sadie nodded and guided her to the sofa, sensing that whatever wasing next carried weight.


    Isabel’s gaze lingered on Averi, who sat quietly stacking blocks, his small shoulders slumped in focus—or perhaps in quiet sorrow. She took a breath, her voice low and deliberate. “I’ve been thinking… I want to take Averi with me to Zupren. I’d like to visit Rosewood Hospital myself, speak to the doctors, and see if there’s another way we can help Noah. And with the two of us out of the way, you’ll be able to do everything you need to do here without worrying about…”


    Rosewood Hospital. Zupren.


    Sadie’s eyes flickered with subtle emotion.


    The suggestion made sense.


    With Noah’s condition still hanging by a thread, Hurst’s high-risk treatment uncertain at best, and the looming shadows of the NE Research Institute demanding her attention, things at home had be a tangled web of danger and distraction.


    Maybe sending Isabel and Averi away—out of this storm—was the smartest choice. The safest choice.


    And yet… The idea of being apart from her son left a dull ache in her heart.


    But for Isabel’s and Averi’s safety, the choice had already crystallized in Sadie’s mind.


    Sadie drew a steadying breath, forcing the turbulent emotions back into their cage. “Alright. I’ll have Samuel make the arrangements. Isabel, traveling all that way alone with Averi—please take care of yourself.”


    Relief bloomed across Isabel’s features, softening the worry lines that had etched themselves around her eyes.


    A delicate cough escaped her lips. “As long as you all are well, I’m at ease. Averi is in my care, so you needn’t worry. But you, Sadie, take it easy and don’t push yourself too hard.”


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    Sadie’s nod came with a telltale shimmer in her eyes, unshed tears catching the light.


    What followed was a gentle weaving of conversation about family matters, health concerns, and careful reminders of precautions to take.


    Lunch concluded with Sadie ncing at her watch before rising to bid farewell, the weight of parting heavy as she left Wall Manor behind.


    She stepped into the crisp air, and before her hand could even reach the car door, her phone’s shrill cry pierced the quiet.


    Tina’s name shed on the screen.


    Something cold twisted in Sadie’s stomach, instinct whispering warnings as she pressed the phone to her ear. “What’s up?”


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