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Novel Catalog
Chapter_87
Sadie’s gaze lingered on the ruby necklace as the memories flooded back—memories of a time when her father was alive, when she hadn’t yet been swept into the whirlwind of loss and uncertainty. The sapphire necklace she had been forced to sell had been her last link to him, a symbol of the love and sacrifices he had made for her. The ruby necklace on display now, with its rich red hue, felt almost like a cruel reminder of what she had lost.
Micah noticed her distracted expression and his gaze softened, but his words were still laced with the teasing undertone that had become second nature between them. “You’re thinking of something else, aren’t you?”
Sadie quickly shook her head, trying to pull herself back to the present moment. “No, I’m fine. Just… something about it reminded me of an old memory.”
Micah didn’t push her further, sensing the vulnerability in her voice. Instead, he allowed her a moment of quiet reflection. “You know, you don’t have to look at it if it brings up painful memories,” he said softly, the usual sharpness in his tone replaced with a rare gentleness.
Sadie appreciated his sensitivity but forced a smile. “It’s just a necklace, Micah. It’s nothing.”
But Micah didn’t seem convinced. His hand brushed against hers again, a comforting gesture that, despite its simplicity, seemed to speak volumes. “I know you’re strong, Sadie, but you don’t have to carry everything alone. Not while I’m here.”
His words sent a ripple through her heart, and for a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to lean into his support. The intensity of his presence was undeniable, and it seemed to envelop her in a way that made everything else feel less significant.
Meanwhile, Ronan’s attention was firmly fixed on the auction, but his mind kept drifting to Leah and the argument that had unfolded earlier. The slap his mother-in-law had given Leah weighed heavily on him. It had been a jarring sight—his mother-in-law, usually so composed, physically disciplining her daughter. It wasn’t something he had ever anticipated.
Yet, as much as he wanted to push the thoughts aside, they continued to plague him. The way Leah had thrown herself at him, crying and demanding attention, had only left him feeling more conflicted. And now, she was trying to use her injury to manipulate him into buying the ruby necklace.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, before turning his attention to her. “Leah, you can’t keep doing this. You’re not a child anymore.”
Leah glared at him, her lip quivering in defiance. “I’m your wife, Ronan. And you don’t even care when I’m hurt. If Billy was here, he would have…” Her words trailed off, and she clutched her foot, pretending to wince in pain.
Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gave her the space to voice her frustrations, even as he felt the weight of her manipulations.
Kathleen, standing off to the side, observed the scene quietly, her face an unreadable mask. She had seen Ronan’s reaction to Leah’s antics, and while she knew it wasn’t the ideal situation, she also understood that sometimes, the most effective way to control someone like Leah was to give her exactly what she wanted. She wasn’t going to push the issue now; not when they had bigger problems looming.
Meanwhile, Micah’s attention had returned to the auction, and he was now paying closer attention to the necklace that Leah had shown such interest in. His eyes narrowed slightly as the bidding began to rise, but his focus was not entirely on the necklace itself.
“Do you want it?” he asked Sadie again, his tone casual but carrying a hint of something deeper.
Sadie hesitated, caught in the conflict of her thoughts. She had no interest in flaunting wealth, nor did she need material possessions to prove her worth. But the thought of this necklace, tied to so many emotions, lingered in her mind. “It’s not important,” she finally replied.
Micah’s lips twitched into a small smile. He didn’t press her, but his gaze flickered to the auctioneer again. He had a feeling that the necklace would be going home with someone tonight, and it might not be for the reasons anyone expected.
As the auction continued and the bids soared, the air in the room seemed to grow heavier. Leah’s attention remained fixed on the necklace, her desperation clear in the way she practically begged Ronan for it.
Ronan, despite his inner conflict, was beginning to soften. “Fine,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll get it for you. But don’t think this will fix everything.”
Leah’s face lit up with a smile, and she clung to his arm, satisfied that her efforts had paid off. But as Ronan glanced back at Micah, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more going on here than just a simple auction.
For a moment, he caught Sadie’s eye from across the room, and their gazes locked. The brief exchange was enough to remind him of the tangled web of emotions and power plays at work here. But just as quickly as the connection had been made, he turned his attention back to Leah, pushing the unsettling thoughts to the back of his mind.
