?Chapter 268:


    Alex inhaled deeply, his hands sped tightly in hisp as he gathered his thoughts. “Sadie, about what my mom said earlier…” He paused, searching for the right words. “Please don’t take it to heart. She’s just… she doesn’t always understand.”


    “Your mom is right,” Sadie interjected softly, her gaze dropping momentarily as she carefully chose her next words. “My situation is…plicated. Alex, I’m truly grateful for all you’ve done for me and Averi recently. But…” She hesitated, her voice gentle yet firm. “I haven’t considered anything beyond that.”


    Alex met Sadie’s gaze, recognizing the soft rejection in her clear eyes. He swallowed the disappointment that began to rise. “Sadie, I understand your concerns, but…”


    He attempted to continue, but Sadie interrupted him softly, shaking her head. “Alex,” she said, her tone kind but firm. “You’re an amazing person. But right now, my life is about Averi. He’s my priority, and I don’t have the energy or the heart to focus on anything else.”


    Alex’s throat tightened as he watched Sadie, his eyes filled with a quiet frustration he couldn’t hide.


    As Sadie looked at Alex, her heart ached. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and she could feel his genuine care for her. Yet, despite her appreciation for him, she couldn’t reciprocate his feelings. Her past experiences, a failed marriage, and the emotional burden of raising Averi alone loomedrge in her mind.


    Moreover, the fear of hastily entering a new rtionship weighed heavily on her. For Sadie, Alex had always been a supportive friend, nothing more, and she wasn’t prepared to change that perception.


    Nearby, Averi had been ying by himself for a while, but the fun was starting to fade. He nced over at Sadie and Alex, sitting on the bench, talking in hushed tones. They seemed so absorbed in their conversation that they hadn’t noticed him.


    Averi nudged a small stone with his foot, causing him to trip and nearly tumble to the ground.


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    “Watch out!” a deep voice called out from behind, and a strong hand quickly stabilized Averi.


    Raising his eyes, Averi recognized the distinctly defined face above him.


    Standing there was Noah.


    Dressed sharply in a suit, Noah looked more imposing than ever, his deep-set eyes giving him an aloof air.


    As Noah’s eyesnded on Averi, his stern expression melted into a gentler one. He signaled for Samuel, who was close behind, to proceed to the car without him.


    With a silent nod, Samuel headed toward the sleek ck sedan at the roadside.


    Averi, who remembered Noah from a fun day at the hospital where they had yed with toys, grinned widely and reached up eagerly.


    “Noah!”


    Feeling a sudden warmth in his heart, Noah bent down, lifting Averi into his arms.


    “What are you doing here all by yourself? Where is your mom?”


    “Mom’s over there!”


    Averi directed his little finger towards Sadie and Alex, who werefortably seated on a bench beside the flowerbed.


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