?Chapter 450:


    Noah felt a pang in his heart. He pointed to thest drawing and asked, “Is this you, your mom, and your dad?”


    Averi nodded at first, then shook his head. “It’s my wish. I wish my mommy and daddy and I can always be together.”


    Sadness clouded the boy’s cheerful expression.


    Noah felt the weight of Averi’s words like a blow to the chest. He nced over at Sadie, who was standing to the side with a tight expression. She immediately looked away, no doubt avoiding his gaze.


    Noah turned his attention back to Averi. “Your wish will definitelye true,” he said with a smile.


    “Really?” Averi eximed, his face lighting up again.


    “Of course. As long as you behave and do well in school, your mommy and daddy will love you very much.”


    Sadie tensed when she heard that. She couldn’t resist calling out in a warning tone, “Noah—”


    “Averi.” Noah smoothly cut her off. “Can I y building blocks with you?”


    “Of course!” The little boy pped his hands with glee and pulled Noah toward his castle.


    Sadie’s emotions were in turmoil as she watched them interact. Part of her knew that Noah was simply putting on an act, yet she couldn’t deny the other part of her that longed for moments like this—the part that wished time would stop so they could remain this way.


    Noah took the opportunity to study the entire apartment. It was a two-bedroom unit with old furniture, a sofa with worn patches, and a desk in the corner piled high with design sketches and various professional books. Every corner of this apartment was a testament to the fact that Sadie’s life had been far from easy. The realization brought another pang to Noah’s heart. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how she had managed these past few years, raising a child on her own while building her career.


    “Averi, will you y by yourself for a bit? I need to talk to your mom.” Noah excused himself and walked over to Sadie, who stood by the window, watching the city lights outside, seemingly lost in her thoughts.


    “What are you thinking about?” Noah asked softly, sidling up next to her. His voice jolted Sadie back to her senses.


    “Nothing,” she muttered, throwing a brief nce his way.


    “Are you still mad at me?” Noah asked gently.


    Sadie said nothing.


    He knew then that she was still harboring a grudge over recent events. Noah sighed. “I know you’re still upset with me. But I had my reasons three years ago.”


    “Reasons?” Sadie scoffed. “So you’re saying you were justified in teaming up with K to deceive me and hurt my family?”


    “That’s not it—I never intended to hurt you or your family.”


    “Then tell me, what really happened back then?” Sadie’s voice rose with her emotions. “What made you investigate the car ident? And why did you hide it from me?”


    Noah hesitated, biting back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.


    “Well?” Sadie demanded sharply. “Why aren’t you saying anything? You don’t actually have a reasonable exnation, right? You were just lying to me.”


    “Sadie, please trust me. I’m not lying to you.” Noah’s eyes were filled with sincerity. “It’s just that… there are certain things I can’t tell you right now.”


    “Is that so?” Sadie asked sarcastically, almostughing at his face. “Just what do you take me for, Noah? A child?”


    “Enough! I don’t want to hear any more of your lies. I already told you—it’s over between us. Stop showing up in my life from now on.”


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