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Chapter 44
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 45
"Mr. Swanson, it's been a long time."The Hawthorne couple, Gregory Hawthorne and Wendy Spencer, exchanged polite handshakes with Craig. Then, their gazes converged on Noelle almost in unison.Craig glanced at Noelle. After she briefly clenched her hands together, she finally managed to force a smile."Let me introduce you to my daughter, Noelle," Craig said."She's very beautiful," Gregory responded first, then motioned to his son.The man across from Noelle then extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Liam Hawthorne."He was dressed in a crisp suit, with black-framed glasses perched on his nose. His features weren't striking, but they were well-balanced, and he wore a friendly smile. Noelle kept her strained smile in place and slowly reached out her hand. "Hello.""Let's all sit down!" Craig called out.Everyone settled into their seats, and Craig seamlessly started discussing business matters with Gregory.If Noelle hadn't been so clearly aware of their intentions, she might have
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 46
The dinner passed quietly in the end.Noelle didn't return with Craig. She asked the driver to take her back to her apartment instead. The driver glanced at Craig for confirmation. When Craig didn't object, he switched on his turn signal and took a different route.Noelle wasn't in the mood to talk to Craig. She turned her head, staring out the car window.But a moment later, her phone vibrated. She didn't look at it.However, Craig spoke up, "That's Liam, isn't it?"His words sounded like a reminder, but the underlying tone was clearly one of warning.Noelle finally unlocked her phone. Sure enough, the message was from Liam."It was a pleasure meeting you. I have two tickets to a concert tomorrow. I was wondering if you'd like to join me? Of course, I completely understand if you're busy."Liam's invitation wasn't exactly abrupt, but his intentions were clear.Noelle pursed her lips and replied, "Sure."After sending the message, she turned her phone toward Craig. "Satisfi
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 47
The dining table was left with just the two of them—mother and son."When are you moving back in?" Beatrice asked calmly, taking a sip of her soup.Hendrix furrowed his brows."I asked you to move out before because it was inconvenient for you to live here with Noelle. Now that you're divorced, you might as well move back," Beatrice continued."No need," Hendrix replied. "It's more convenient where I am now.""What's convenient about it? Bringing a new girlfriend back?" Beatrice's words sounded calm, but to Hendrix's ears, they were laced with subtle mockery.He set his cutlery down and looked at her with a neutral expression.However, Beatrice seemed unaffected and continued, "I'm serious. If you think your father's matchmaking was a mistake, then go ahead and make your own choices. I won't stop you."Beatrice paused, then added, "There's only one thing—Sandra. I will never allow her in this house.""Why?" Hendrix asked.Beatrice's face darkened. "Are you really thinking of
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 48
Noelle was wearing a long black dress. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, the ends slightly curled. There was a gentle smile at the corners of her lips, and she looked incredibly serene.Liam must have said something to her because her smile deepened, and then she lifted her eyes to look at him. Her gaze shimmered, like a glimmering lake under the sun.Hendrix realized he had never seen her smile like that before. In his memories, Noelle had always been quiet and dull.But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, another memory surfaced.It was from the last time in the car, when she had kissed him suddenly—an impulsive kiss that landed on his lips while they fought over the sketchbook.That had been Noelle's first kiss to him. And it seemed it would also be the last.As Hendrix lingered on that thought, ahead of him, Liam had taken a few steps forward. He turned and said something else to Noelle, who smiled and shook her head.Liam didn't say anything more. He just opene
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 49
Noelle knew it all, but she still found herself instinctively saying what she said out loud. Then, in his response, she heard the answer she had already known, and it felt almost like self-inflicted torture."I understand," Noelle said. "Have you said everything you wanted to say, Mr. Freeman? Can I get out now?"Hendrix didn't say another word, but the car slowed down slightly. Finally, he pulled over to the side of the road.Noelle didn't hesitate. She turned and reached for the door."Noelle," he called out suddenly from behind her.She paused while opening the door, but she didn't turn around.Hendrix gripped the steering wheel, carefully considering his words. "For the sake of our time as a married couple, you… can come to me if the Swansons are facing any difficulties."Don't try to disgust me like this."Noelle slowly tightened her grip on the door handle.After a long pause, she said, "Well, thank you, Mr. Freeman."With that, she opened the door. She didn't look at h
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 50
Noelle didn't sleep a wink that night. Every time she closed her eyes, the nightmares crept in.A damp, dark room, a door that never quite closed, clothes inexplicably soiled and drawers rifled through, and finally, the man's disgusting, lecherous face.Eight years had passed, yet Noelle still couldn't escape the haunting memories. And now, her adoptive father, William Kaplan, was out of prison.He was free!Noelle didn't know how William had gotten her number, but the feeling it brought—the suffocating sense that she could never outrun him—was all too familiar.Even this apartment, the one she had only recently rented, no longer felt safe. She couldn't shake the sensation of unseen eyes watching her, waiting to pounce.Noelle couldn't stay here anymore.But where could she go?In the end, she went to the hospital.Noelle knew there wasn't much Cynthia could do for her, nor could she tell the latter anything. But just being there and seeing her gave Noelle a small measure of c
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 51
Finally, Noelle sank onto the couch, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.Just then, the same unknown number flashed on her phone again.She hadn't saved the number, but after seeing it just once the previous night, it was already seared into her memory. Without hesitation, she grabbed the phone and hurled it to the floor.…At Nivis Villa, Mabel stood on the other side of the ornate iron gate, her sharp gaze fixed on the scruffy man in front of her. "And who are you supposed to be?""I'm William Kaplan. I'm Luna's… I mean, Noelle's father," William said, baring a grin that revealed yellowed teeth. "I know she's staying here. Tell her to come out and see me."It was common knowledge in Coppersville that Noelle had been missing as a child and had spent over a decade in the countryside. One glance at the man, and Mabel instantly recognized who he was. Her lips curled in disdain as her gaze swept over him."Ms. Noelle has moved out.""She moved out? How is that possible? Isn'
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 52
Thanks to Mabel's reminder, Hendrix remembered that his birthday was approaching.Once he got into the car, he instinctively pulled out the lighter he always carried. It was black and gold, unadorned except for his initials engraved in the lower corner.It was a simple, unremarkable gift.However, it was the only gift Noelle had ever given him.The second year…Because he hadn't bothered to show up at their anniversary party, Noelle hadn't even sent him a perfunctory gift for his birthday last year.And this year…Hendrix cut the thought short, slipping the lighter back into his pocket before opening the tablet in front of him.But before he could focus, the car lurched to a sudden stop. The jarring motion made his brows furrow sharply, and his eyes were stern. Levi hurriedly explained, "Apologies, Mr. Freeman, but up ahead…"Before the man could finish, someone who had been blocking the car moved to Hendrix's window and began banging on it. The man appeared to be in his 50s
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 774
"Look at what they did to my son! My son was perfectly fine, and now he's lying in a hospital bed! I'll make sure that bastard rots in jail forever!"Joanne's shrill voice pierced through the door.Noelle sat on a chair, clutching a cup of hot water. Beside her sat Irene, her face dark with fury.The yelling outside continued, "Nelly is nothing but a slut! I knew from the start she was no good! Just look at that face. Who wouldn't she try to seduce? Sid isn't that kind of person! She must've failed to seduce him and then conspired with her lover to frame my son!"Irene couldn't take it anymore. She flung the door open, and the shouting stopped instantly.It was no surprise that Joanne would be scared of Irene since the old woman was holding a hoe in her hand."Get lost," Irene said simply.Joanne paled but stood her ground.Seeing this, Irene was just about to charge forward with her hoe when Joanne panicked and quickly turned to leave.But the onlookers lingered nearby, watch
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 773
But that was only if Sid had been willing to accept it. The way Hendrix had looked at him back then—cold and disdainful.And when he'd spoken, his voice had been so certain, as if he'd known Sid would take the money. And in the end, he had. But that didn't give Hendrix the right to look down on him.The more he thought about it—the way he'd been overjoyed when he first met Noelle during their matchmaking, the time and emotion he'd wasted on her—the more resentment burned in his chest."What do you want?"Noelle could feel the danger radiating off him. She kept stepping back, but Sid only advanced, step by step."What do I want?" Sid let out a cold laugh. "Simple. You just need to sleep with me once.""What did you say?" Noelle stared at him in disbelief.For a moment, she thought she must have misheard."Stop playing dumb!" Sid snarled impatiently. "Cut the act! I know you're no longer pure. I saw that bastard sneaking out of your house this morning. You've got some nerve. You
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 772
Noelle ended up leaving the room first. The moment she stepped out, she shut the door firmly behind her.Irene thought that was weird. "Why did you close the door?""No reason. Just a habit."Noelle's cheeks were still faintly flushed, and she avoided Irene's gaze, brushing off the question with a vague reply.Irene found it odd but didn't press further.After breakfast, Irene announced she was heading to the back mountain to gather herbs to sell at the market in a few days.Noelle had been thinking about how to divert her, and this played right into her plans."Come with me," Irene said. "And bring two more bottles of water."Noelle hesitated for a moment. She usually accompanied Irene on these trips, so refusing now would seem suspicious. In the end, she nodded.But before leaving, she suddenly called out, "I'm closing the door!"Her voice was loud, ensuring the person inside her room could hear.Irene gave her a strange look. "Who are you talking to?""You.""I'm standi
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 771
"I haven't slept all night. Can you just let me rest for a while?" Hendrix asked."Why don't you go sleep in your own place?" Noelle argued."I can't sleep without you."The moment Hendrix spoke those words, Noelle's cheeks flushed bright red.She wanted to argue, but in the next moment, Hendrix's breathing seemed to steady.Surprised, she lifted her head and saw the dark circles under his eyes. Even his usually clean-shaven jaw now bore a faint stubble.Her hand, which had been ready to push him away, slowly dropped.Hendrix hadn't expected to fall asleep so quickly. Though he had finally found Noelle, he hadn't been sleeping well these past few days. Aside from constantly being jolted awake, the terrible conditions here only made things worse. But in Noelle's room, none of that seemed to matter.Even in this cramped, damp little house, even on this rickety wooden bed that cracked beneath him, he could still catch the faint scent of her skin and the sun-warmed fragrance of the
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 770
Night fell quickly.Hendrix had been restless since evening. With no Internet here, he couldn't even distract himself with work. He could only lie in bed, flipping through the photos on his phone while listening intently for any movement outside.He didn't like having his photo taken, and neither did Noelle. So there were very, very few pictures of the two of them on his phone. During the time Noelle was missing, he had already memorized every single one of the photos.After scrolling through them several times, he finally couldn't take it anymore and got out of bed. To prove he wasn't joking, Hendrix was really planning to climb over the wall to find Noelle.But then, he quickly remembered something—his arm was still in a splint. So there was no way he would be able to climb that wall.In the end, he could only stand outside the wall, staring at the door. Only after confirming that Noelle wasn't coming out did he turn and go back inside.As dawn broke, he finally heard movement
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 769
And was the man in front of Noelle really her husband? Because they had once been the closest people in the world, he knew everything about her.That was why Noelle had felt an inexplicable familiarity toward Hendrix before and why she had instinctively wanted to get closer to him.Sensing her concern, Hendrix asked, "You don't want to leave your mom, do you?" After a moment of hesitation, Noelle nodded."Don't worry. I'm not planning to take you away right now," Hendrix said. "There are still things to deal with in Coppersville. I have to wait until everything is settled before we can go back. As for your mom, we can take her with us when we go back. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her for saving you."But you can't just listen to her and marry someone else. You're already my wife. If you marry another man, you'll be committing the crime of bigamy. And more than that, it would be completely irresponsible to me."Noelle didn't respond.Hendrix couldn't help but frown when h
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 768
Hendrix hadn't planned on telling Noelle all of this. As the doctor had said, once the blood clot dissipated, she might remember everything on her own. So, he didn't want to push her.And if she never remembered, that was fine, too. He had come to think that staying here for a while longer might not be a bad idea because Noelle could get the maternal love she had always longed for from Irene.As for their relationship… Well, it had been an arranged marriage from the start. The moment she was of age, they had wed without hesitation. Even their first kiss had happened during their wedding photoshoot.So Hendrix thought, if she had forgotten all of that, he could just court her again. It would be a chance to make up for the romance they had missed out on before.But now, he had no choice but to tell her. He had finally found her, and it would be the biggest joke of all if she ended up marrying someone else because of what others said. There was no way he would ever allow that to happe
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 767
Noelle couldn't help but frown.But before she could say anything, Hendrix suddenly asked, "Why didn't you come?""What?""I'm asking why you didn't come to the hospital. Was it because you were too busy getting married?"As Hendrix spoke, he took a step closer to her. His intense gaze felt as if he were trying to pull something out of Noelle.Noelle froze for a moment but quickly replied, "I never said I would definitely go.""You said you'd take care of me.""I didn't say that. That was your own assumption," Noelle quickly retorted. Then, she looked up at him. "Besides, I'm pretty sure you have plenty of people taking care of you.""What do you mean?""You've definitely had a lot of women before, right?" Noelle forced a smile. "I don't know why you're staying here, but I'm not like those women. So, if you're just looking for some fun, don't waste your time on me."Noelle's voice was laced with sarcasm. But her eyes were slightly red, and her throat moved as if she was tryin
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 766
The woman who had shouted was about to continue making a scene, clearly intent on drawing the entire neighborhood's attention. But Hendrix quickly turned around.To her, a thief should have looked guilty. Yet, when he looked at her, his eyes were sharp and piercing. That gaze made the woman swallow her words before they could leave her mouth.Just then, Irene came out, holding something in her hand. When she saw Hendrix, her expression darkened. "How dare you show your face here again, you scoundrel? Do you have a death wish or something? Fine. I'll send you straight to hell right now!"As she spoke, she raised the object in her hand, ready to strike Hendrix—just like she had done several times before.But this time, Hendrix didn't dodge. Instead, he expressionlessly grabbed her hand. One of his arms was still in a splint. But even so, it was enough to stop Irene completely. Her eyes widened in shock.Noelle also came out from inside. When she saw Hendrix, she was momentarily stun
