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 they truly cherished.

After realizing this, Noelle forced herself not to dwell on it because every time she thought about it, it only brought more pain.

But now, the memory surfaced again. Only this time, the person holding Sandra wasn't her mother—it was her husband.

Noelle didn't know how much time had passed. Eventually, she got out of the car. Just then, a low rumble of thunder echoed across the sky, and a heavy downpour followed.

Noelle quickened her pace to get inside, but the place where Hendrix had parked was still some distance from the front door. She ended up getting drenched from head to toe.

The lights were on upstairs—one in Sandra's room and another in Hendrix's study. Evidently, he hadn't even noticed that she hadn't come inside yet.

Noelle stood in place for a while, confirming this. Then, with stiff legs, she slowly made her way upstairs.

Her phone screen suddenly lit up. There was an incoming call from an unfamiliar number.

As Noelle stared at the number, something clicked in her mind, and she halted her steps. Just as she contemplated whether to answer, the caller hung up.

For some reason, the moment the screen went dark again, Noelle felt an inexplicable sense of relief. But just as quickly, a second call came through.

Noelle knew who it was. This time, she didn't hesitate and answered the phone.

"Elle."

She had not heard that nickname in a rather long time. Upon hearing it suddenly, it threw her off a little.

"It's me," he said. "Maxwell."

"Oh," Noelle replied softly. "Are you… back in the country?"

"No," Maxwell said with a chuckle. "But I'll be back soon. I've booked a flight for the day after tomorrow. Do you have time? Do you think you could pick me up?"

Noelle fell silent.

"Is it inconvenient for you?" Maxwell quickly picked up on her hesitation. "It's okay. I can get back on my own. It's just... After all this time, I hope the first person I see when I return is you."

"I'm married," Noelle blurted.

"I know," Maxwell replied, not exactly surprised about it. "To that guy whose last name is Freeman, right? After all, Amity Group is so famous. Even from abroad, I heard about the CEO's wedding."

Noelle fell silent again.

After a brief pause, Maxwell asked softly, "Elle, are you doing well?"