?Chapter 1299:


    “I just couldn’t fall asleep,” she admitted. “Everything has been so overwhelming, and I can’t quiet my mind.”


    Thoughts of Tina’s bright smile and cheerful voice looped in Sadie’s head. There was no way she could rest with so much on her mind.


    Noah crossed the room and wrapped her in a firm, protective hug. Feeling her tremble against him, he realized how much sadness she’d been bottling up. He held her closer, sharing the ache in his heart.


    “Sadie, just hold on a bit longer. When all of this is behind us…” He paused, brushing his chin over her hair. “We’ll let ine run thepany. I’ll take you and Averi away to somece quiet, where nobody knows us, and we can live in peace. Would you like that?”


    Sadie felt a little of her anxiety slip away. A soft, raspyugh escaped as she rxed in his arms. “We’d better not let ine hear that. He’d probably grumble about us dumping all the hard work on him.”


    She could already imagine ine’s dramaticints and exaggerated frown.


    Noah’s lips curled into a gentle smile. He was d to see her finallyugh. Leaning down, he pressed a warm kiss to her forehead.


    “Don’t worry about anything, Sadie. Everything is going to turn out fine. No matter what, I’ll stay by your side and face whateveres our way together.”


    Nestled in his arms, Sadie nodded with determination. His familiar scent settled her restless thoughts. Having Noah close gave her a rare sense of peace.


    By morning, Sadie slowly opened her eyes, her mind still a bit foggy. Her hand instinctively reached across the bed, only to find the other side empty and cold. A brief pause settled over her before she sat up.


    “Noah?” she called softly, her voice still thick with sleep.


    No answer came. The room remained silent.


    A light knock sounded at the bedroom door.


    One of the servants stepped inside holding a ss of water. “Good morning, madam. Mr. Wall left a little while ago. He asked the kitchen to prepare breakfast for you. Would you like it served now?”


    Dive into the story world at gα?ησv???s?c?m


    Sadie’s eyes drifted to the clock on the bedside table. It was just past eight. She wondered at how early Noah had gone out. Was his work really that urgent today? A strange feeling settled in her chest, one she couldn’t quite name.


    “All right,” she said. “You can bring it up.”


    With a nod, the servant left the room. Sadie tossed aside the nkets and swung her feet onto the thick carpet, padding over to the wardrobe. She opened it and searched for something soft andfortable to wear. As her hand moved along the hangers, her fingertips brushed against a smooth shirt—and suddenly a small round object rolled out from a dark corner,ing to a stop on the floor.


    A puzzled frown creased her forehead as she bent to pick it up. It was a single pearl. Something about it felt strangely familiar. Turning it over in her palm, Sadie examined it with growing curiosity.


    It dawned on her: this was the same pearl she had discovered during herst visit to Faron Retreat. She had wondered at the time how it had gotten there. With everything else going on, she had pushed that mystery aside. Now, she never imagined she would stumble across it here.


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