Sadie was taken aback. "Seriously? Those kids are Tristan''s, your arch-enemy!"


    Micah just stared at her, not saying a word.


    Sadie chuckled. "But those three adore you. They were begging to hear your stories earlier."


    Micah replied, dead serious, "Bring them over. I''ll tell them stories every day. No need for all this running around."


    Sadie smirked, teasing, "So, are we making up or what?"


    Micah red at her, frustrated. He knew she wanted him to say it out loud: "Come back, I beg you, stay with me, be the mistress of this house, don''t leave again." Sadie, always the clever one, knew exactly how to push his buttons.


    "Maybe I was overthinking," Sadie said, feigning disappointment. "You rest up. I''ll be at Hillside Vi with the kids for a few days. Andrew will keep youpany." "What?" Micah got flustered, speaking more quickly. "Who needs him? You cook and thene back."


    Sadie shook her head, "No can do, I promised to tell them stories." She grabbed her coat, changed her shoes, and headed out. "If you get bored, watch some TV," she added. "Sadie..." Micah started, but she was already gone, leaving him alone.


    Just then, Andrew walked in. "Mr. Clemens, Ms. James went back to Hillside Vi. I''ll be keeping youpany tonight..."


    Andrew stopped, seeing Micah''s furious re.


    Andrew gulped, "W-what''s wrong?"


    "Get out!" Micah shouted.


    Andrew hesitated, "Dahlia went to see Dr. Perez. If I leave, you''ll be alone. Let me stay. I promise, I won''t say a word." He mimed zipping his lips.


    Micah sighed, frustrated, tried to move, but his body was still stiff and sore. He had no choice but to stay put.


    Andrew quickly moved tofort him. "Don''t move. Just two more days, and you''ll be fine."


    But two days felt like an eternity to Micah.


    Sadie rushed back to Hillside Vi and started cooking dinner.


    She didn''t know many recipes, but she put her heart into it, and the kids loved it.


    Reba came over to help, making pizza and roast chicken, along with some of Brenda''s old recipes.


    In the evening, the kids came back.


    The table was already set with a feast. As soon as the kids got out of the car and smelled the food, they cheered and ran inside. Mia called out, "Mommy, Mommy!"


    The three little girls shouted, "Auntie, auntie!"


    The five kids chattered non-stop around Sadie, except for Noah, who quietly sat at the table, working on hisputer after washing his hands. "Alright, alright," Sadie said, holding the sd bowl high as she moved to the table with the kids in tow.


    After setting the bowl down, she wiped her hands and hugged the kids.


    "Nathan, Mia, be good. I made lots of yummy food. Go wash your hands first."


    Nathan and Mia replied together, "Okay, Mommy."


    "Mary, Emma, Donna,e here," Sadie called, hugging the three little girls. "Let me see, have you lost weight?"


    "I eat lots of bread, meat, and fruit every day," Mary said, counting on her fingers. "And a little cake, candy, and pizza."