?Chapter 434:


    And there, in the middle of it all, was Averi. He was happily ying with a Transformer toy, hisughter echoing through the room.


    Noah sat beside him, holding a remote-controlled car and patiently teaching Averi how to use it.


    He wore a gentle, almost tender expression—a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor.


    Standing at the doorway, Sadie was stunned as she watched the joyful scene unfold before her eyes.


    “Mom!” Averi, with his sharp eyes, spotted her instantly. He dropped the toy in his hands and scampered toward her on his tiny legs.


    Sadie bent down and scooped him into her arms, holding him close.


    “Mom, look! So many toys!” Averi eximed, his face alight with excitement as he pointed at the mountain of toys on the floor.


    Sadie nced at Noah, her expression a mix of emotions.


    “Why are you doing this?”


    Noah stood up and walked toward her, a faint smile on his face.


    “Sadie, I think Averi really enjoys it here. Don’t you think?” His voice was gentle as he tested her reaction.


    Sadie’s heart sank. She understood Noah’s underlying intentions all too well.


    “Averi, do you like it here?” she asked softly, looking into her son’s eager eyes.


    Averi nodded enthusiastically. “I like it! There are so many toys!”


    A sharp, lingering pain spread through Sadie’s chest.


    “But we can’t stay here just because of that,” she managed to say, trying to keep her voice steady.


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    “Why not?” Averi’s confusion was clear.


    Seizing the moment, Noah interjected,


    “Averi, if you stay here, all these toys will be yours. But if you leave with your mom, you won’t have them.”


    Averi’s eyes widened. “Really?”


    Noah nodded. “Of course.”


    Averi turned to Sadie, his face filled with hopeful anticipation. “Mom, can we stay here? Please?”


    The pain in Sadie’s heart deepened. She faced Averi’s innocent gaze, torn by his request.


    She knew Noah was using Averi, but she couldn’t bring herself to say no to him.


    “Averi, these toys won’tst forever. We can’t make decisions based just on them,” she exined gently.


    “Sadie.” Noah cut in. “I just want to provide Averi with a stable environment where he can be happy. Isn’t that what you want for him?”


    Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sadie gently put Averi down.


    “Noah, what exactly are you trying to achieve here?” She met his gaze squarely, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance.


    Noah remained silent at first, then knelt to meet Averi’s eyes, speaking with gentle sincerity.


    “Averi, tell your mom. Do you want to stay here?”


    Averi looked between Sadie and the colorful pile of toys. After a brief pause, he nodded, his voice small but hopeful.


    “I do.”


    Sadie felt her heart drop.


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