Library
Search
Home / Romance / The Sway and Slide of Love / Chapter 6

Share

Chapter 6

Author: Jean Song
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-27 12:45:38
Hendrix returned just before dinner. Ophelia was naturally all smiles when she saw her grandson. She held Hendrix's hand and asked him about his day.

"Look at you. You've lost weight again," Ophelia said with displeasure. "How is it that you've gotten even thinner after getting married? How has your wife been taking care of you?"

Her criticism was directed at Noelle.

Before Noelle could respond, Sandra spoke up, "Grandma Ophelia, please don't scold Noelle. She's been very busy lately. I heard she has another comic that is about to be published. Didn't you notice that she's also lost a lot of weight? I felt so bad for her when I saw her yesterday."

Sandra's words seemed to be in Noelle's defense, but something about them felt off. Of course, only Noelle could fully grasp the hidden jab in them.

After hearing what Sandra said, Ophelia's displeasure deepened. "Bah, comics! Those worthless things can't even be called art. You—"

Ophelia was about to lecture Noelle when Hendrix interrupted her, "Can we eat now?"

"Hendrix, you—" Ophelia began, but Beatrice stepped in and cut her off, "Mom, Hendrix is a grown man. He knows how to take care of himself."

Since she put it that way, Ophelia could only swallow her reproaching words. She then turned to Sandra and said, "Sandy is always the best—so sensible and caring. If only…"

Ophelia's voice trailed off because she realized she was about to say something inappropriate again.

Beatrice changed the topic swiftly, saying, "Noelle, are your parents still abroad?"

"Yes."

"It's not very convenient for Sandra to stay at your place for such a long time. I think it would be better for her to stay here for a while. After all, didn't you just say you wanted to spend more time with my mom, Sandra?"

As soon as Beatrice made that suggestion, Sandra's expression faltered. "I—"

Beatrice didn't give her a chance to object. She went on, "Besides, I've found a few promising young men for you. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to get acquainted with them."

"That's not necessary," Sandra muttered, her eyes beginning to redden.

But before she could say more, Ophelia interjected, "Sandra is still young. Her parents aren't exactly in a rush to marry her off, either."

"That's not true. Matilda and I spoke about this before. She asked me to help introduce some good prospects to her. Recently, I've come across—"

"I don't want to!" Sandra shrieked. Her shrill voice startled everyone in the room.

Sandra realized that she had reacted too strongly. She bit her lip and added, "I… I don't want to think about marriage just yet."

Beatrice didn't say another word. She merely narrowed her eyes as she studied Sandra.

Sandra couldn't bring herself to meet Beatrice's gaze. So, she turned to Hendrix instead. "Rix, I… I don't want to consider marriage right now. Help me…"

"Rix, huh?" Noelle scoffed inwardly. She felt a sudden urge to laugh upon hearing that nickname.

But before the smile could reach her lips, she heard Hendrix's response.

He said, "If Sandra isn't ready yet, then let's leave it for now. We'll discuss this another time, Mom."
Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Related chapters

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 7

    "Hendrix, thank you for speaking up for me earlier," Sandra said from the back seat on the way home.After that, she continued yammering nonstop, "I had no idea Mom would talk to Madam Freeman about this. I was so scared! Luckily, you stepped in, or I wouldn't have known what to do. I don't want to get married so soon."Hendrix was driving. He merely said a faint "hmm" in response. He seemed to be flippant toward her, but Sandra knew that was just the way he was. So, she didn't mind. She turned her attention to Noelle, who was in the passenger seat. "By the way, what did Madam Freeman say to you when you both went upstairs?""Nothing," Noelle replied dismissively, not even bothering to entertain Sandra at all.Sandra pursed her lips in slight dissatisfaction but quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right. Did you know that Max is coming back to the country?"Noelle's composed expression shifted slightly at those words.At that moment, the traffic light ahead turned red. Hendrix sm

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 8

    Noelle remained seated in the front passenger seat. She thought she had grown numb enough, but at that moment, she still felt a sharp pain stabbing at her heart. It was as if something was gnawing at her from the inside.She suddenly recalled something from a long time ago. It was shortly after she had returned to the Swanson family. She remembered clearly that it was raining that day. Matilda had personally come to pick her and Sandra up from school, but they got into a car accident on the way home. Though the accident wasn't serious, the driver swerved to avoid another car and crashed into a nearby median. Noelle had hit her head on the window and was knocked unconscious.Before she lost consciousness, she remembered seeing Matilda bypass her and reach out to Sandra. Matilda sobbed gut-wrenchingly as she held Sandra back then.At that moment, Noelle understood—the only reason they had found her again was because she carried their bloodline. But to them, Sandra was the daughter t

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 9

    "Elle, are you doing well?" This line echoed in Noelle's mind.She had forgotten how long it had been since someone asked her such a question. She'd even forgotten to ask herself if she was doing well.The answer was obvious. But even so, she didn't hesitate to reply, "I'm doing fine.""That's good, then," Maxwell responded. After that, he fell quiet."If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now," Noelle said."Alright," Maxwell agreed.But just as Noelle was about to end the call, he suddenly spoke up, "I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye back then. I've thought about you a lot these past years while I've been abroad."After a slight pause, he added, "It's getting late. You should get some rest."With that, Maxwell finally hung up.Noelle stood on the stairs, still holding her phone. After a long while, she slowly turned and returned to her room.That night, Hendrix didn't come to her. Even so, Noelle couldn't drift off to sleep peacefully. Perhaps it had somethin

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 10

    To most outsiders, Noelle seemed like a rigid and boring person. Most of the time, it was rare to see any emotional fluctuation from her. But now, she was like a cornered wild animal, shedding her usual gentle demeanor and baring her claws.However, this small display of resistance was nothing to Hendrix. He didn't even bother responding to her. Instead, he lifted her from the bed and began to dress her himself. Noelle tried to push him away, but the difference in their strength was too great. In the end, he dragged her downstairs without much issue."Mr. and Mrs. Freeman…" Mabel, who was already downstairs, paused in surprise when she saw the tug-of-war between them.Upon seeing her, Noelle quickly composed herself and stopped struggling. Then, she followed Hendrix out the door.Once they had driven for a while, Noelle gradually calmed down.After taking a deep breath, she turned to Hendrix and said, "There's no need for us to go to the hospital. I'll explain everything to Mom

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 11

    Even Martin, with his experience in the field, looked taken aback when he heard Noelle's remark. Most of his patients wanted children. Hence, it shocked him to learn that Noelle had been taking birth control pills.Martin could not help but glance at Hendrix. Hendrix frowned. He did not seem aware of the birth control pills that Noelle had been taking.However, Martin quickly gathered himself. After a pause, he recommended, "Well, you should stop taking birth control pills. I'll prescribe you something. You need to nurse your health for now."Noelle said nothing more, though she was quick to accept Martin's prescription. "Thank you."With that, she left without so much as looking back. Hendrix followed behind her.Knowing he had no time for her, she went ahead to hail a cab after leaving the hospital. However, he pulled her back. "Get into the car." His tone was icy, just like the look in his eyes."It's fine. I'll call a cab home.""Noelle Swanson, I'm asking you to get into

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 12

    In the end, Hendrix didn't send Noelle to the villa. After he made himself clear, he dropped her off at a random intersection.Before she even stood still, he had sped away in his black Porsche without hesitation. That did not surprise her at all. Still, she couldn't help but curl her fist out of anger, digging her nails into her palm.She felt a slight pang of pain in her flesh—a warning to herself not to hold any hope for Hendrix.Since she was still out there, she decided to go shopping. Alas, luck wasn't on her side. She bumped into someone she despised when she entered the mall."Hah! Mrs. Freeman, is that you?" Ruth said with a grin. "How surprising! I thought an uppity woman like you would never go to the mall!"As Sandra's best friend, Ruth was the one who loved picking on Noelle the most. The other friends had mellowed down after Noelle married Hendrix, but not Ruth. Instead, she seemed to grow more vicious in her attacks.Unwilling to waste time on Ruth, Noelle planned

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 13

    Noelle laughed loudly after hearing Ruth's mockery. Ruth's smug smile turned into a frown. She asked Noelle, "What are you laughing for?""Ms. Upton, you should brush up on basic knowledge. You don't want to be both crude and ignorant—a dumb yet evil woman!" Noelle had been rather restrained in her sarcastic jabs earlier, but now, she openly mocked Ruth.Ruth's expression fell. She even reached out to grab Noelle's hair when the latter tried to walk around her.Ruth barked, "How dare a country bumpkin like you insult me? Look in the mirror! Do you think you're something after you married up?"However, her insults were cut short by a clean slap from Noelle. Taken aback, she soon shrieked and threw herself at Noelle.In the midst of the chaos, Sandra hit a glass wall on the side—perhaps she had been shoved by Ruth when she tried to stop the latter, or it could be a deliberate attempt to victimize herself.She was on the floor amidst the screams of some passersby. Arm raised, bloo

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 14

    "Noelle!" Sandra rushed up to Noelle and grabbed her hand. "Noelle, are you mad at me? Mom meant well. It was my fault for accidentally hurting myself."Don't worry. I'll move out of your house. I won't be a bother to you and Hendrix…""Great," Noelle agreed without hesitation. Matilda frowned at her response while Sandra looked surprised."I'll leave now." Without a care, Noelle removed her hand from Sandra's grip to leave.Sandra's tearful voice could be heard from behind. "Mom, what do I do? Noelle probably hates me now…"For a moment, Noelle had the urge to turn around and admit that she indeed hated Sandra, but she quickly struck down the thought. She didn't want to be slapped by Matilda.After all, Matilda had hit her before over some words.At first, Noelle could not believe that her parents would play favorites against their biological daughter. She soon realized that they felt ashamed of her past in the countryside.They refused to accept the rural mindset of their d

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27

Latest chapter

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 70

    "Yes. I'm happy," Hendrix replied without hesitation."I can leave now, right?" Noelle said as she stood up to leave before his voice rang out again the next moment. "Noelle, do you think being drugged absolves you of the responsibility for what happened last night?"His words left her stunned.Noelle slowly turned to look at him, her mind racing with different thoughts in the brief following seconds.What kind of price was he expecting him to pay? Was he planning to use this as leverage against her? Or was it only an excuse because he couldn't let her go?She instinctively tried to suppress the last thought that surfaced in her mind before he spoke again, asking, "Isn't your adoptive mother staying in the hospital?""What are you trying to do?" Noelle's expression immediately shifted, and her eyes filled with vigilance and anger.Hendrix merely glanced at her. "I can arrange for her to be transferred to a better hospital. You won't have to worry about the medical expenses. I'

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 69

    Noelle had no idea where she had headed afterward.It felt as though her world had shrunk to house only Hendrix. She clung to him throughout the time as though she could not stand on her own, surrendering entirely to his demands.…The unrestrained indulgence took a toll on Noelle's body, leaving her feeling as though she had been run over by a truck when she woke up the next day. Her throat was parched and burning.A sharp pain shot through her calf as soon as she tried to move.She couldn't help but let out a soft groan, lying still on the bed for a moment before slowly lifting her head.The room looked unfamiliar to her. It wasn't her tiny rental apartment, nor was it Nivis Villa.However, Hendrix owned numerous properties in Coppersville, so it didn't surprise her that he owned a place like this.Noelle didn't have the time to dwell on it at the moment. She bent down to pick up her clothes from the floor before putting them on slowly and carefully.Her phone had finally po

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 68

    Noelle straightened her back and lifted her head to kiss Hendrix on the lips.However, Hendrix quickly turned his head and evaded her attempt.Her body stiffened for a brief moment before she lowered her head and extended her tongue to trace it lightly over the sharp line of his Adam's apple without hesitation.Hendrix's body tensed instantly. He then grasped her chin and forced her to look up at him.Her eyes were already reddened, and her loose hair framed her face in damp strands. She looked like a helpless kitten caught in a stormy night.Hendrix frowned slightly.However, Noelle paid no heed to his reaction and extended her hands to tug at his belt without hesitation.He had intended to stop her before her phone rang. He glanced at it and caught Maxwell's name displayed on the screen.The familiar sound of the ringtone seemed to jolt her back to her senses. Her body stiffened slightly before Noelle turned to reach for the hand gripping her chin.Yet, Hendrix's warm hand c

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 67

    "Ma'am, please calm down. Let's find a place to talk this through…" The hotel staff desperately tried to restrain Ruth when the door in front of them suddenly opened.Noelle was indeed inside. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cheeks were unnaturally flushed, yet her gaze was icy."Well, well! So you are here! Where's your lover? Is Maxwell hiding inside? Let me…"Noelle ignored Ruth entirely and strode over to Sandra in just a quick few steps.Her movement was so swift that Sandra barely had the time to react before Noelle snatched the phone from her hand."Noelle…" Sandra was about to say something when Noelle deleted the video she had recorded and smashed the phone without hesitation."What are you doing?" Ruth had intended to barge in to find Maxwell before she was startled by the commotion. She immediately rushed forward to protect Sandra.However, Noelle didn't give them a chance to recover. She raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap across Sandra's face."S

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 66

    Hendrix's blunt question left Sandra hesitant.She lowered her head and nervously fidgeted with the hem of her dress for a moment before softly replying, "I'm not entirely sure. But he and Noelle were very close back when we were in school."Hendrix remained silent.Sandra was worried he might misunderstand and quickly explained, "But Maxwell went abroad to study not long after. I'm sure there's nothing between them. I feel like I shouldn't be engaged with him even if that's the case. "Rix, do you think I'm being selfish? Am I a terrible person? My family needs me now more than ever, but I…"Her eyes reddened as she spoke.Hendrix remained silent. He merely lowered his gaze and was lost in thought.Sandra bit her lips and continued, "Rix, what did you talk to my dad about last time? I… I really don't want to get married now. Can you help me?"She extended her hand and was about to tug at his sleeves as she spoke before her phone suddenly rang. She startled at the sound of the

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 65

    Maxwell said without waiting for Noelle to respond, "Have you heard about it? I'm getting engaged to the Swanson family."Noelle had just picked up her fork and taken a bite of the cake. She slowly set her fork down at his words and nodded."To Sandra," she replied. "I know.""I heard you've severed ties with the Swansons." Maxwell lowered his gaze and said, "We would have been engaged now if that didn't happen."He laughed this time, though the smile never reached his eyes no matter how hard he tried. The corners of his lips carried an endless bitterness.Noelle paused momentarily before saying, "You can talk to them if you don't want to…"He shook his head. "They brought me back just to squeeze every ounce of value out of me. I've met over a dozen people in just over 20 days.""Value?" She frowned. "Wouldn't a successful marriage alliance be a threat to them? Why would they…"He cut her off, "You don't know, do you? Gabriel's crippled after the last car accident. It means he

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 64

    Noelle collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep almost instantly before she was unsurprisingly caught in a nightmare.Half of her pillow was soaked with tears when she woke up. The sky outside had brightened with the arrival of dawn.She sat on the bed momentarily before she reached for her phone.She had anticipated a flood of messages and calls. However, there were surprisingly none. There wasn't a trace of news online, nor even the faintest whisper within their circle.Ruth would normally have seized the chance to mock and ridicule her if she had caught wind of such a thing. However, she hadn't made her move yet. This could only mean that someone had suppressed the news.The person who was capable of doing that was self-evident.However, Noelle immediately dismissed the thought when it crossed her mind. After all, how could that be possible?She couldn't think of any other explanation apart from that.She kept an eye out for related rumors for the next few days, but nothing ab

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 63

    Hendrix's question caught Noelle off guard. She thought she had misheard him for a moment.It took her several seconds to regain her senses. A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips. "Mr. Freeman, don't you think it's too late to ask this question now?"Hendrix narrowed his eyes slightly. He assumed she was just throwing a tantrum the first time when she brought up divorce.He could only tolerate her whims once. Therefore, he agreed without hesitation the second time when she mentioned it.Was it out of spite? It probably was.However, he was even more certain that she would regret it. Yet, it seemed that he was wrong now.He had learned about her past just two days ago. Her adoptive father, William, was sentenced to prison, while her adoptive mother, Cynthia, was in a coma and lying in a hospital.She had never mentioned any of it to him.Only then did he realize that he might never have truly known her."But whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter now." Noelle's voi

  • The Sway and Slide of Love   Chapter 62

    "Noelle, how could you speak to Mom like that?"Before Matilda could say anything, Sandra had already rushed over, looking at Noelle with reddened eyes. "She genuinely cares about you. You can't misunderstand her like this!"Noelle no longer wanted to be entangled with them. She only felt disgusted looking at them now. Without answering Sandra, she turned to leave."Noelle!"Sandra wanted to chase after her, but Matilda stopped her and shouted at Noelle, "Fine! Noelle, once you walk out the door, don't even think about coming back. You can starve out there for all I care."Hearing this, Noelle paused for a moment.Matilda thought she had reconsidered her actions, but to her surprise, Noelle turned around and said, "Then, I thank you for that."She was calm as ever, but this was seen as indifference to Matilda. It was like a venomous snake watching its prey while flicking its tongue ominously.Matilda couldn't help but take two steps back, her face turning pale.Sandra quickly

You may also like

DMCA.com Protection Status