Annika''s eyes went wide. "If Mr. Clemens really has some incurable illness, he must''ve told Hubert before. Pa and Percy would definitely know about it."


    Sadie looked thoughtful. "No wonder he kept visiting Hubert. Hubert always seemed to have some heavy secret before he passed, always hanging around Micah."


    "Ms. James, we don''t know anything for sure yet, so don''t stress. Maybe we''re just overthinking," Annika tried to reassure her. "I saw Mr. Clemens looking fit and fine; he doesn''t seem sick at all." "Let''s talk about it tomorrow when we get to Avalis," Sadie said, changing the subject. "You go arrange the private jet, and I''ll call Pa."


    "Got it," Annika nodded, then asked, "Are we taking any of the kids this time?"


    Sadie shook her head. "The trip''s too long, let''s not drag them along. Just you and me."


    "Okay, got it." Annika replied and went off to make the arrangements.


    "I''m fuming," Arya burst in, clearly upset.


    "What''s wrong?" Sadie asked, her brow furrowing.


    "I thought Mr. Clemens wasmitted, but he''s just out there ying around," Arya fumed. "Rodolfo got sent to pick up Olivia. They even booked the whole Velvet Spoon Bistro and had it decorated." Annika shot Arya a warning look, telling her to be careful.


    "So what?" Sadie said calmly, "Micah and I broke up a long time ago. It''s normal for him to date others."


    "But..." Arya started, but Annika pinched her. She changed her tone, "Alright, maybe I''m overreacting."


    "You''re definitely overreacting," Annika said in a low, angry voice, "If Mr. Clemens finds out Rodolfo spilled the beans, Rodolfo''s done for."


    Arya was stunned for a moment and quickly exined, "He didn''t tell me, I overheard it by ident. Ms. James, he didn''t..."


    "Enough," Sadie cut her off, "The three little girls will wake up from their nap soon. They''re going to Whimsy Wondend Fun Zone with Noah, Nathan, and Mia for dinner. Go get ready." "Yes," Arya hurried out, giving Annika a pleading look, hoping she''d help exin.


    Annika waved her off, telling her to leave quickly.


    After the door closed, Annika carefully tried tofort Sadie, "Ms. James, don''t take Arya''s words to heart. I think Mr. Clemens meeting Olivia is also for the sportsplex project, not a date. He even defended you earlier today." "Doesn''t matter," Sadie shrugged. "He can date whoever he wants. If he''s with Olivia, at least it means he''s not seriously sick, so I don''t have to worry about Noah, Nathan, and Mia losing their dad."


    Annika felt a bit awkward, not sure what to say.


    "You can go now. I''ll call Pa," Sadie said.


    "Sure," Annika replied.


    As Annika left quietly, Sadie''s calm facade slowly turned serious as she dialed Pa''s number.


    Worry for Micah''s health mixed with thoughts of his meeting with Olivia.


    If she had to choose, she''d pick Micah''s health over their rtionship. Maybe this was just how things were meant to be.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie made the call to Pa, who greeted her eagerly, telling her to take her time and not rush tomorrow.