Chapter 43 "Sarah," Harrison said, his face flushed with excitement, "you can't tellyou're not in love with her now Isn't she jur amazing?" Sarah hesitated, a small smile playing on her lips.
Sarah found herself standing amidst the deafening cheers of the crowd, her emotions a quiet storm compared to the chans around her.
She looked at Arnold once again, his focus entirely on Linda.
His eyes glimmered with admiration, a look she had long yearned for but never truly received.
A sudden thought crossed her mind.
What if I reached out? What if, just this once, he responded? Her heart wavered, and despite her better judgment, she decided to try. Mindlinking Arnold, she sent a tentative message, *Arnold?* Silence.
Her shoulders sagged as the realization settled in, though deep down, she wasn't surprised.
*He won't answer.* She thought, watching him with a bitter smile. Arnold's gaze never left Linda, as if the world had narrowed to only her.
Sarah's chest tightened, but she managed to smile, calm and composed, even as the faint sting of rejection lingered.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTurning on her heel, she walked away from the awards stage.
She didn't glance back, didn't want to see Arnold's oblivious face or Linda's radiant triumph.
As she wove through the thinning crowd, Harrison's enthusiastic voice still carried over the noise.
"Sierra is a legend! Not only is she the reigning champion, but did you know she's the only daughter of the Snowmoon Pack Alpha? She's smart, fearless, and has a personality that's as magnetic as her skills. No wonder she has so many fanst Sarah heard every word but let it roll off her like water. Harrison hadn't even noticed her leaving, too engrossed in singing Linda's praises.
Her footsteps quickened, her thoughts a jumble of frustration, hurt, and an odd sense of clarity. She realized she wasn't angry at Linda.. Linda was simply being herself, shining in her own right.
The issue lay with Arnold and the years she had spent hoping for something that never materialized.
As she made her way through the parking lot, a cool breeze brushed against her face, offering a small moment of relief Her phone vibrated, and for a fleeting moment, she thought it might be Arnold.
She glanced at the screen. It was nothing-a generic notification.
07:58 Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My 1234 Chapter 41 Shaking her head, she slipped the phone back into her pocket.
"Leaving already?" a voice interrupted her thoughts, soft yet deep.
The dim parking lot was bathed in the faint glow of streetlights as Sarah hurriedly walked toward her car, her thoughts. preoccupied.
She turned a corner too sharply and almost collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.
"Oh, excuse mel" she exclaimed, stepping back abruptly.
"Watch where you're going," cthe clipped response.
The man's tone was curt, and as their eyes met, recognition flashed between them.
"Cole." Sarah said, her voice neutral, though her pulse quickened slightly.
"Sarah," he replied, his expression hardening instantly.
Cole was tall, with a muscular build and an air of arrogance that matched his reputation.
He had always carried himself with an air of superiority, a reflection of the tight-knit pack hierarchy he thrived in. His already cold demeanor turned glacial as he studied her, his gaze sharp and unwelcoming.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThey stood in an awkward silence, and Sarah's mind briefly wandered to the past.
Despite being married to Arnold for years, she had never been introduced to his friends properly.
The few times they had crossed paths had been marked by indifference at best and subtle disdain at worst.
Linda, on the other hand, had been warmly embraced by Arnold's circle, her charm and charisma making her an instant favorite. Cole broke the silence with a sneer. "Didn't expect to see you here," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What's the matter? Following Arnold around now? Thought you two were done." The words hit like a slap, but Sarah remained composed.
She straightened her posture and fixed him with a steady gaze.
"I'm not here for Arnold," she said firmly. "And even if I were, it's none of your concern." Cole let out a derisive laugh, shaking his head.
"Sure you're not. Just happens to be a coincidence that you're lurking around here, of all places. Don't tellyou're still clinging to the idea of fixing things. You should know better by now." The old Sarah might have lowered her gaze, mumbled an apology, or simply walked away to avoid confrontation.
But this twas different. Something inside her had shifted, a spark of defiance igniting in her chest.
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