Chapter 5 Should I Just Give Up My Life Here

Sadie's voice rose in a squeak the instant she caught sight of Madelyn. She trembled behind Noah, her eyes puffy and wide with terror, clinging to him like a frightened kitten desperate for shelter.

"You don't have to be scared, Sadie. Everything's fine now. I'm right here," Noah said, his voice carrying nothing but comfort and tenderness as he held Sadie close, his hand rubbing her back.

Only after he felt Sadie relax did Noah finally turn his attention elsewhere.

The moment his gaze landed on Madelyn, she felt as if she'd been struck by an icy glare.

A deep scowl darkened Noah's features. The sight of Madelyn looking even more fragile than Sadie sent a jolt of inexplicable restlessness through him.

"Once you're done donating blood, just go. Don't come near Sadie again," Noah ordered, his tone stiff.

He paused, the memory of Sadie's abduction flooding back, and the restlessness he had felt a moment ago turned into seething anger. "And don't think this is over just because you gave blood. If I ever find out you were involved in Sadie's kidnapping, you'll regret it."

The accusation nearly made Madelyn laugh.

What strength had she even left? Dying as she was, how could she possibly kidnap anyone, let alone Sadie?

Madelyn's sorrow deepened, her face tinged with even more grief as she met Noah's eyes.

She answered, "Is that so? What do you want from me, then? Should I just give up my life here? Would that finally be enough for you?"

Madelyn's familiar smile didn't change, but somehow it sent a strange ache through Noah's chest.

She stood there in nothing but a thin nightgown, a smear of blood trickling down her delicate arm.

She must not have pressed down on the spot after she drew blood. Now, an ugly bruise had formed.

"Madelyn..." Noah's brow furrowed as he reached for her arm, but the instant his hand made contact, what he felt left him stunned.

Her arm felt disturbingly thin, his fingers pressing against little more than bone, and the chill of her skin was so severe it lacked the warmth of someone truly alive.

Noah suddenly pulled his hand back, irritation and discomfort etched across his face.

"What is this supposed to be? Trying to win pity by pretending to be weak now?" he snapped.

Madelyn blinked up at him, momentarily at a loss.

She was dragged here to give blood. Noah made sure she handed over six hundred milliliters for Sadie's sake. Yet even her obvious weakness from blood loss was twisted into an accusation, as if she were faking it.

Madelyn drew in an unsteady breath, her body struggling to keep balance. A sharp throb tore through her head, and with each beat of her heart, her vision blurred and wavered.

A hollow emptiness spread through her chest, an unshakable chill settling in her bones.

"So you mean my weakness is all just an act? Would it make any difference if it were? Noah, was there ever a single moment you actually cared about me?" Madelyn's voice was faint, drained. Too weary to argue with Noah, she left her words lingering behind as she turned and walked away.

Noah stood there, watching Madelyn walk away, and realized the harsh words had done nothing but leave him feeling unsettled.

Madelyn's frail, shrunken figure was a far cry from the woman he remembered. When had she wasted away like this?

"Noah..." Sadie called out to him. Pushing down his frustration, Noah turned around and headed back into the hospital room.

Meanwhile, Madelyn made her way home on her own, her steps weighed down as the freezing wind lashed against her.

The villa offered no warmth. Its inside was just as cold and empty as the world outside. Feverish and sore, Madelyn pressed against the stone pillar by the door, struggling for air while her body burned with heat.

Later that night, Madelyn lay curled up in bed, shivering and sweating, slipping in and out of consciousness. Somewhere in the darkness, a faint glimmer of light flickered at the edge of her vision.