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Chapter_45
Ronan chuckled softly at Sadie’s comment, the sound warm but tinged with something unspoken. “You’re right, Sadie. Business should always be a fair transaction. But, in this world, sometimes people make deals for reasons other than just profit.”
Sadie glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
Ronan’s gaze turned thoughtful, his usual confident smile replaced by a more serious expression. “Let’s just say… people in positions like Micah’s often have their own ways of controlling things. What appears as a simple transaction might actually be a game of leverage. It’s all about knowing who holds the power.”
Sadie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The conversation felt heavier than she expected, the weight of Ronan’s words settling on her shoulders. She had never truly thought about Micah that way—though she’d seen glimpses of his control over situations, she had never considered how deliberate it all might be. Leverage? The thought made her uneasy, as if the ground beneath her feet had shifted. She had always seen her interactions with Micah as just part of the job, but now, she was beginning to question just how much was being manipulated behind the scenes.
The silence stretched for a moment before Vincent broke it, his voice a little too chipper for the tension in the air. “So, Miss Roth, it’s been quite a while since we’ve all been in the same room together. I imagine Ronan’s been keeping you busy, huh?” His tone was teasing, but it only served to highlight the strain between Sadie and Ronan.
Sadie smiled stiffly, not entirely sure how to respond. “It’s been a long time. We’ve both been busy with… different things.” She glanced at Ronan, unsure if she was revealing too much. It felt odd, talking about their past in front of Vincent—there was something about the moment that made it feel more like an interrogation than a casual conversation.
Ronan, sensing the awkwardness, broke the silence with a low laugh. “Yeah, different things. Life has a way of pulling people in unexpected directions.”
Sadie nodded, not wanting to dwell on the past. She was starting to feel like a spectator in her own life, watching as things unfolded around her, but unable to control any of it. She turned her focus back to the conversation. “But, Vincent, you mentioned Mr. Clemens earlier. What exactly is his relationship with you?” She was trying to get a sense of where Vincent stood in all of this—he was obviously familiar with Micah, but how deeply involved was he?
Vincent shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his smile faltering for just a moment. “Oh, you know, business stuff. I’ve worked with him on a few projects here and there. But it’s mostly… nothing too personal.”
Sadie didn’t buy it. The way Vincent hesitated made it clear that there was more to the story than he was willing to share. Before she could press further, Ronan interjected, his voice low but firm. “Sadie, some people keep their business separate from their personal lives for a reason. You’ll learn in time that not everything is what it seems.”
Sadie glanced at him, intrigued but cautious. “I suppose that’s true,” she said quietly, feeling the weight of his words again. Not everything is what it seems…
They arrived at the hospital soon after, and Vincent parked the car outside. As Ronan stepped out, Sadie moved to assist him, her hand hovering just slightly above his arm, unsure of the best way to offer support. He didn’t seem to mind, and his warm smile reassured her, even as he winced from the pain.
“Thanks for coming with me,” Ronan said quietly, his voice holding a trace of something softer than usual.
“Of course,” Sadie replied, though she felt a lump form in her throat. Seeing him injured, and knowing that it was because of her, made her feel strangely vulnerable. She had always been independent, relying on herself to handle everything, but this moment made her question whether she truly could.
As they entered the hospital, Sadie stayed close by Ronan’s side, trying to keep her composure, though the anxiety swirling inside her was impossible to ignore. What am I getting myself into? she wondered, her mind racing with a thousand different thoughts. The puzzle pieces of her life were scattered, and each interaction—each look from Micah, each word from Ronan—only made the picture more complicated.
She knew one thing for sure: her life had just become a lot more unpredictable. And she wasn’t sure whether that was a blessing or a curse.
