Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

It was at that time that Sadie fell hopelessly in love with Noah.

In the days following his departure to study abroad, she immersed herself completely in her studies, eventually earning a place at his university.

She harbored the belief that excellence could bridge the gap between them.

Finally, one day, he approached her and proposed marriage.

She believed her affections had thawed his indifference.

However, she was mistaken.

Noah’s heart had always belonged to Kyla.

To him, she was nothing more than a stand-in.

Taking a deep breath, Sadie fought to control the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Pregnant and under doctor’s orders to maintain her composure, she knew she had to be strong for her unborn child.

Brushing away her tears, she rose and made her way back to the bedroom.

Unprepared for Noah’s lack of empathy, she was met with his blunt announcement as soon as he entered the room.

“Kyla is back,” he declared. “I think it’s time we got a divorce.”

The word “divorce” struck Sadie with the force of a physical blow, robbing her of breath.

Until he uttered it, she had clung to a sliver of hope, however frail.

It took Sadie a painfully long time to muster the courage to speak.

“You’re leaving me now that she’s returned?” Her voice quivered, betraying her attempt to mask her vulnerability.

Noah’s brow furrowed as he regarded her with evident displeasure.

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“I was clear from the start when we married—don’t long for what can never be truly yours. Anything you desire, I’ll ensure you’re compensated.”

Those harsh words had been his vow on their wedding night, a night meant only to quell the relentless whispers of the corporate board.

His heart had never been hers to claim.

Driven by a fool’s hope, Sadie had thrown herself at him, believing she could stir some emotion in him.

Sadie raised her eyes to Noah’s, a silent plea for truth in her gaze.

“All those nights we shared… were you imagining I was Kyla?”

Noah was caught off guard by her blunt question. He hesitated, his mouth opening slightly, but no words came.

Sadie interpreted his silence as the stark admission she had feared, and it shattered her already fragile heart.

Deep down, she had always understood that Noah’s heart was not in their union.

Yet, the fleeting moments of happiness during their intimate nights had momentarily blinded her to this brutal reality.

She had mistaken their physical closeness for emotional acceptance.

But she had been tragically mistaken.

Throughout their entire tumultuous entanglement, Noah’s heart had remained elusive to her.

With a profound sigh, Sadie closed her eyes and resigned herself to her fate.

“Fine, I consent to the divorce,” she declared resignedly.

Turning on her heel, she collected a few personal belongings, deciding to spend the night in the guest room.

Noah’s gaze lingered on her, his forehead creasing in frustration, a subtle annoyance brewing within him.

As Sadie brushed past him, Noah reached out instinctively, clasping her hand, poised to say something.

Yet, just as he opened his mouth, Kyla’s call interrupted him. Reluctantly, Noah let go of Sadie’s hand to answer, and Sadie made her way to the guest room.

“Hello, Kyla… It’s nothing, really…”

Sadie couldn’t hear the rest of Noah’s words.

All she could discern was the unexpected softness in Noah’s voice, a stark contrast to the coldness he reserved for her.

She shut the door of the guest room, threw herself onto the bed, and clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle her cries.

Even as she grappled with the harsh reality of their impending divorce, the stinging disparity between Noah’s indifference to her and his warmth towards Kyla pierced her heart deeply.

What was she to do now? And what of their unborn child?

Sadie was completely at a loss.

All she knew was that she felt exhausted, hurt, and desperate to flee from everything.

The sound of cascading water filled the bathroom as Sadie absentmindedly shed her clothes and stepped into the shower. Although the warm water cascaded over her, it did nothing to thaw the cold grip of sadness clutching her heart.

She sank down, curling into herself and burying her face against her knees. The relentless roar of the shower muffled her sobs as she finally let go, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Why? Why did he have to be so cruel?

Exhausted from crying, she stood up and got dressed, but suddenly, her foot slipped on the slick surface.

A jolt of sharp pain surged through her as she couldn’t hold back a pained cry. Instinctively, her hands flew to her lower abdomen, cradling the spot where she felt the impact.

In the master bedroom, the sound of Sadie’s distress reached Noah. He immediately sprinted toward the source of the noise.

The bathroom door was ajar, and he caught sight of Sadie crumpled on the floor.

Her complexion was ghostly pale, a sheen of cold sweat on her skin, her attire in disarray, and her hands fervently guarding her abdomen as if she had taken a hit.

A sudden pang of concern tightened Noah’s chest.

He hurried to Sadie, quickly scooping her up from the cold, wet floor.

“What happened to you? Are you injured anywhere?”

Noah’s voice trembled with a barely detectable undercurrent of panic.

Sadie’s mind reeled, her vision blurring slightly as she tried to focus on the man before her. It took her a moment to muster a response through the haze of her confusion.

“I’m fine…” Her words were barely a whisper.

She attempted to wriggle free from Noah’s embrace, but he tightened his grip.

“Stay still,” Noah commanded, his voice firm, tinged with urgency.

Sadie ceased her struggling, subdued by his tone.

He continued with a softer edge, “Let me make sure you’re not hurt.” Gently, he laid her onto the bed.

Leaning over, Noah meticulously examined her for any injuries, his expression a mix of concern and focus.

This unexpected gentleness rekindled a wavering spark of hope within Sadie.

She seized his hand abruptly, her voice cracking as she posed a question loaded with fear and desperation.

“Noah, what if I were to tell you I’m pregnant? Would you still push for a divorce?”

The possibility of keeping their marriage intact for the sake of a child lingered in the air.

Sadie searched Noah’s eyes for any sign of reconsideration.

Noah paused, his face unreadable for a brief moment before he replied coldly, “We’ve always been careful. It’s unlikely you’re pregnant. But even if it were true, the situation wouldn’t change—you’d have to end the pregnancy.”

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