The Sway and Slide of Love

"I want to take these back to Roselle Court and repot them. Is that okay?" Noelle

asked clearly.

As she spoke, her eyes remained locked on Hendrix's. She was sincerely seeking his opinion.

Hendrix paused. After a moment, he replied, "Sure."

"Alright. Then, let's move back in a few days. Rosie will come with us, too. After all, it must be hard for your mother to take care of her all this while, so let's not trouble her anymore," Noelle spoke earnestly.

But this time, Hendrix didn't respond. Instead, he just looked at her intently.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Noelle asked, puzzled.

Finally, Hendrix asked the question that had been on his mind, "Where did you go today?"

Noelle's expression stiffened for a moment, which immediately made Hendrix frown.noveldrama

"You already know, don't you?" she quickly asked.

Hendrix remained silent.

"I went to the cemetery, and I happened to run into Mr. and Mrs. Swift there," Noelle said softly. "We had a talk."

"About what?" Hendrix's voice grew tense.

Given Marla and Marshall's previous attitude, he wouldn't have been surprised if they had said something harsh to Noelle. He could accept their hostility without complaint, but he refused to let Noelle face it.

After all, she had only just started to

get better. If it weren't for his concern for her, he might have already stormed over to the Swifts' house by now. He wouldn't even care if they wanted him to pay with his own life, but there was no way he would let them hurt Noelle again.

And if they insisted on doing that...

As Hendrix was lost in these thoughts, Noelle said, "It seems like they've forgiven me."

That sudden statement left Hendrix stunned. Then, he slowly looked at Noelle, as

if doubting whether he had just misheard her.

She stood there, meeting his gaze head-on.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Mrs. Swift told me she wants to take Rosie as her

god-granddaughter. She even apologized to me and told me to go on living. Does that mean they've forgiven me and Rosie?" Her voice carried a trace of disbelief and uncertainty.

"Can I really be forgiven like that? Is it really okay to let this go?" Noelle continued asking.

Instead of answering her, Hendrix simply reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. His grip was so strong that it almost hurt Noelle, but she didn't cry out in pain.

Because at that moment, she needed this embrace. She needed this crushing, almost suffocating hug to remind herself that this wasn't a dream. Everything that had happened today was real-including the words Marla had said to her and including Hendrix standing in front of her now.

So, she didn't struggle. She simply stood there, arms at her sides, letting him hold her. She looked almost lost, her gaze dazed, as if she had no idea what she was supposed to do.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she finally heard Hendrix's response. He didn't say much, just a quiet, solemn "yes".