The Sway and Slide of Love

It was at this moment that Hendrix seemed to finally understand why Noelle hadn't reacted with anger earlier but had instead apologized to him.

"Are you afraid I won't go through with the surgery?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her.

Noelle didn't respond, but it was clear her silence said it all.

Hendrix's expression darkened further. He pressed his lips together, his teeth clenched so tightly that it felt like they might shatter.

What kind of person did she think he was? Someone who would stand by and watch his own kid die? Was that why she felt the need to placate and accommodate him like this? In her eyes, was he really that cold and heartless?

Hendrix stared at her for a moment, then suddenly clenched his jaw. He didn't say another word, simply turning and walking away.

But he walked slowly. Each step seemed to take an enormous effort. This drawn-out pace was his way of waiting-waiting for Noelle to call out to him and say something.

Even if it was a flimsy lie. As long as she said something, it would be enough.

But she didn't.

By the time Hendrix walked out of the hospital, there was still no one behind him. He suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on the empty space behind him.noveldrama

It wasn't until Levi approached and said something that Hendrix finally moved. He didn't respond, simply opening the car door with an expressionless face.

He was supposed to return to the company, but after some hesitation, he told Levi, "Take me to Sienna Villa."

Sienna Villa was where Beatrice now lived. It was a modest villa with a well-tended yard. The fruit trees she had planted over two years ago had grown tall, their buds blooming in spring and now bearing the outlines of fruit.

When Hendrix entered, Beatrice was fertilizing the trees.

Hearing footsteps, she didn't look up. Instead, she simply instructed, "Pass me the shovel over there." Hendrix knew she probably mistook him for a household staff, but he didn't say anything and just handed her the shovel.

It wasn't until Beatrice took the shovel that she finally noticed it was Hendrix.

"Oh, it's you? Didn't you say you were busy lately? What brings you here?" Hendrix pressed his lips together, silent.

"Have you been to the hospital?" she asked. "How's Rosie doing? I wanted to visit her but thought I should discuss it with you first. What do you think?"

"Don't bother," Hendrix replied as he crouched down to help her shovel the soil. "Rosie's fine."

"That's good. But I am her grandmother, after all. So in this kind of situat—"

"She might not want to see you," Hendrix cut her off bluntly.

Beatrice fell silent.

Hendrix gripped the shovel tightly, then after a moment, said, "The compatibility test results should be out tomorrow. If it's a match, I go through with the surgery. It is my duty as a father, after all.

"By the way, didn't you say you wanted to introduce me to someone? I'll meet her after this is all over."

When he finished speaking, a deep frown appeared on Beatrice's face. "What do you mean? What about you and Noe-"

"We've been over for a long time,"

Hendrix said without hesitation. "The

only reason I met up with her

IS

because Rosie happens to be sick."

He then looked at Beatrice. "Mom, I don't want to love her ever again."