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Chapter_70
Sadie didn’t miss the underlying tension in the air as Kathleen orchestrated the situation with meticulous precision. Every word, every glance seemed calculated, and she couldn’t help but feel like a pawn in a game she never agreed to play. The way Kathleen was directing everything—the attention, the questions, even the seating arrangements—only reinforced her suspicion that tonight was far from casual.
As she was guided to a seat at the table, Sadie glanced around at the relatives who had once been part of her life. Now, they felt like strangers—people who had cut ties the moment her father was gone, only to resurface when they saw an opportunity. Felipe’s warm words seemed hollow, and Kathleen’s “invitation” to move back home felt like a trap. But the question that gnawed at her the most was about her children—why had Kathleen brought them up? It wasn’t the kind of thing she would have casually mentioned, especially not in front of these people.
Before she could dwell on it further, Leah’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “You heard my mom. Take a seat, Sadie. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other. Let’s catch up.” Her tone was syrupy sweet, but Sadie could sense the underlying sharpness in her words. Leah’s eyes, full of that old bitterness, followed her every movement.
Sadie smiled tightly, forcing herself to sit down, all the while feeling the prickle of eyes on her. It wasn’t just Leah’s gaze that felt heavy—it was the entire room, full of whispers and sideways glances, that made her uneasy. “It’s been a while,” she finally said, trying to break the silence.
“Far too long,” Kathleen chimed in, settling into her seat beside Sadie, her demeanor a mix of feigned concern and calculation. “But you know, I’m just so glad to see you’re still… holding up.” Her words, dripping with false sweetness, made Sadie’s skin crawl.
Sadie forced a smile. “I’m doing fine. Thank you.”
But inside, her mind was racing. Why had they invited her tonight? Was this all part of some bigger plan? The question lingered unanswered, gnawing at her as she tried to steady her nerves. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, not with the Potters and the Whites watching her like vultures. They all had something to gain, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before they tried to dig into her past and her present.
As she tried to focus on the conversation at hand, her thoughts were interrupted by Ronan’s voice. “Mother, I’ll take you upstairs to speak with Dad. We have some things to discuss.”
“Of course, dear,” Kathleen said quickly, glancing at Sadie with a sly smile before excusing herself. “You can handle things down here, right?”
Sadie nodded, though her mind was elsewhere. She was relieved for the distraction. It wasn’t that she was afraid of confronting them—it was just that she didn’t want to do it on their terms.
Felipe, always eager to please, stood up and immediately moved to follow Kathleen and Ronan, leaving Sadie alone at the table. The other guests, sensing an opening, began to whisper more freely now, their voices lower but full of judgment.
“She’s really something, isn’t she?” one of them murmured.
“After everything that happened with her father, she thinks she can just walk back in like nothing’s changed?” another added.
Sadie kept her face expressionless, refusing to engage. She had heard it all before, the whispers, the rumors. It was nothing new. But tonight, it felt different. It felt personal.
Leah, noticing the tense atmosphere, leaned toward Sadie with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “So, Sadie, tell me,” she said in a low, almost conspiratorial tone, “What exactly are you doing here tonight? Do you think you’ll just waltz in and reclaim everything you lost?”
Sadie’s gaze flicked to Leah, who was watching her intently. There was no doubt in her mind that Leah was trying to provoke her. “I’m just here as a guest,” Sadie replied smoothly, maintaining eye contact. “Just like everyone else.”
Leah’s lips curled into a thin smile. “If you say so. But you should know, not everyone here is as… forgiving as they might appear.”
Sadie didn’t flinch, keeping her tone calm. “I didn’t come here to fight. I just came to make sure everything’s in order.”
Leah’s smile faltered, and for a split second, Sadie could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. But it was quickly masked by a sharp, dismissive laugh. “I’m sure you have your reasons,” Leah said, standing up abruptly. “But don’t think you’re going to get any special treatment here.”
Sadie watched as Leah retreated, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. It wasn’t lost on her that Leah was threatened by her mere presence. Sadie wasn’t sure how long she would last at this table, but one thing was clear: this gathering wasn’t just about rekindling old ties—it was about reasserting power.
As the evening stretched on, Sadie remained silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of strategy and caution. She would not let them see how much they rattled her. She wasn’t here to play by their rules. She was here to survive their game.
