Chapter 59

Chapter 59:

The harsh fluorescent lighting outside the operating room did little to brighten her desolate mood.

For Sadie, Laura was her last remaining relative, indispensable and irreplaceable.

The anticipated bonus from the Maple Group project was her final lifeline.

Regardless of Noah’s decisions concerning the bonus, Sadie was resolved to secure it.

She dried her tears, inhaled deeply, and called Roy.

“Mr. Dominguez, is now a good time? I’d like to discuss the project with you again.”

The voice that answered Sadie’s call had a sleazy quality, a far cry from Roy’s usual professional tone.

“Ah, another lady eager to make a deal! Why don’t you drop by the Night Owl Bar, Room 317? Impress us here, and the contract’s as good as yours. Hahaha!”

Laughter echoed through the line, the sound grating on Sadie’s ears.

Anxiety clutched her heart, a cold dread seeping through her.

Left with no alternatives, she conceded.

“I’ll be there soon,” Sadie replied, her voice quivering imperceptibly. As she left the hospital, the cold wind struck her, scattering her hair across her face.

Pressed for time, she bypassed the bus and dismissed the idea of a taxi due to cost.

Resolutely, Sadie headed for the subway.

The car was nearly empty, a relief given the hour.

She found a vacant seat and settled in, her tension easing momentarily. Yet, discomfort soon pricked at her as she felt unsettling stares from around the car.

Curious eyes lingered on Sadie, some intentional, others merely coincidental.

Find the magic on gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s․𝒸𝗼𝗺

As she touched her face, Sadie questioned if her makeup was smudged.

“Hey, where did you buy that suit jacket? It’s quite chic and looks expensive. Could you tell me where I might get one?” Suddenly, a voice from a young girl pierced the quiet of the subway car.

It was only then that Sadie remembered she was still wearing Noah’s suit jacket.

Crafted from fine black cashmere, the jacket was luxurious yet subtle.

The urge to remove it came over her, yet she hesitated.

What would she do with it if she took it off? What if it disappeared?

This jacket seemed costly, and she couldn’t risk misplacing it. Smiling uneasily, Sadie said, “Actually, I don’t know where to buy this jacket; it’s not mine.”

The girl’s knowing glance and her slightly gossipy tone followed.

“Ah, did your boyfriend cover you with it to keep you cozy?”

With admiration in her voice, she added, “He must really care for you! Does wearing his jacket make your heart feel warm?” Sadie felt a sting from the girl’s words.

Warm? Perhaps it once was.

Now, all that remained was a cold and sharp ache.

If Noah truly cared, why would he leave her for Kyla?

Sadie tried to respond, meeting the girl’s expectant look, but she found herself torn between a lie and a truth too painful to utter.

Fortunately, the subway pulled into the station, and Sadie seized the moment to escape.

Inside the Night Owl Bar, the clash of loud music and vibrant lights overwhelmed the senses.

As she navigated through the crowded space, the mix of perfume and alcohol in the air unsettled her.

Upon reaching Room 317, Sadie paused, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves.

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