Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Sway and Slide of Love: Kabanata 381 - Kabanata 390

Hendrix's gaze lingered on the baby store for a long moment before he finally opened the car door.Before he could get in, Noelle had already shifted to the far side of the seat, staring out the window, clearly trying to put as much distance between them as possible.Hendrix noticed but said nothing of it.As the car moved forward, Noelle suddenly spoke, "Can you stop locking me up? Don't worry. I won't harm the baby anymore. I've thought it through. No matter what, the child is innocent."But you can't keep shutting me away like this. Even if I wasn't sick before, you're going to drive me insane."Her voice was soft. It was as if she were calmly negotiating with him.Hendrix narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, "If you don't want to stay home, that's fine. From now on, I'll take you to work with me every day."Noelle froze and looked at him."I'm not joking," he added quickly, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking.Noelle gave a faint, sarcastic smile. "Aren't yo

Noelle quickly pushed the feeling down, turned over, and went back to sleep.She didn't know when Hendrix had returned. Half-asleep, she vaguely sensed someone watching her.The curtains were drawn, and the room was completely dark.Even though she had a feeling, she still jumped in fright as soon as she opened her eyes. She let out a sharp gasp and instinctively shrank back.Hendrix hurriedly turned on the lights. "It's me."His voice sounded low and steady.Noelle frowned at him."I just got back. You looked like you were sleeping well, so I didn't wake you," he explained slowly. "Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"Noelle swallowed back the curse sitting on the tip of her tongue and said, "I'm not hungry.""I got you a cake," Hendrix said suddenly. "But chocolate this time. Want to try some?"As he spoke, he pulled out a box.However, the sight of the cake made Noelle feel queasy because it reminded her of that night. And the moment those memories surfaced, she

Hendrix knew this might just be a dream. If possible, he wished it would never end.Time passed quickly.Autumn in Coppersville was always short, and in the blink of an eye, winter arrived. On the first day of winter, Beatrice called Noelle and invited her to dinner at Freeman Manor.Before Noelle could respond, Beatrice said, "By the way, I heard you're pregnant. Ophelia was thrilled when she found out. You two haven't been back in a while."Of course, if you don't want to come, that's fine. I'll just head over to Nivis Villa instead. Either way, I have to make sure Ophelia's sentiments are conveyed."She wasn't giving Noelle any room to refuse.Noelle pressed her lips together, but in the end, she agreed.When Hendrix returned from his meeting, she told him about it.Hendrix frowned. "You said yes?""Yeah.""Alright. Then, we'll go together tonight."Then, he casually handed her an invitation letter. "This just came in. Take a look."Noelle paused briefly but instinctivel

Beatrice continued, "And all those other Freemans… Why am I supposed to accept Nathan's return? I stayed here all these years—threw away so much of my life—so Hendrix could inherit everything. Then, Ophelia decides Nathan should return, and suddenly, he's here."And I'm supposed to go along with it? Why? My future is ruined, my past erased, and Hendrix had his share in it. You want me to remember I'm his mother, but does he even remember what he's supposed to be to me?"Her eyes burned red, her body shaking uncontrollably.Noelle had always seen Beatrice as the image of refinement—graceful, composed, and distant. It was as if there was a barrier between Beatrice and the world, like a figure sealed inside a glass case—perfect in every way yet unreal.But now, Noelle finally saw the truth—Beatrice wasn't immune to emotion, after all.She walked across the jagged remains of her shattered glass case, closing the distance between her and Noelle. Blood marked her steps, and her face—con

"If I really left the way Beatrice planned, wouldn't that be betraying you twice over?" Noelle asked. "And Nathan is still keeping an eye on you. I can't just walk away and leave you to handle all of this alone. So, even if I have to go, it won't be now."She got it all out in one breath, her gaze steady on Hendrix's. Her eyes weren't filled with burning intensity. Rather, they held a quiet resolve and sincerity.Hendrix held her gaze for a beat before suddenly smiling. This time, it was real. His lips curled upward, drawing his cheeks and eyes into a brilliant expression that made his face even more striking.Noelle's eyes flickered involuntarily at the sight.Without warning, Hendrix cupped her chin and leaned in to kiss her. In the closed space of the car, his gentle, lingering kiss made the winter air feel warm and comforting. He meant to kiss her fully.Though they had been on good terms lately, there had been no further intimacy. Noelle's words echoed in his mind, swelling i