Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Sway and Slide of Love: Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 140

The snow outside the window continued to fall. Inside, the heating was on full blast, and Noelle didn't feel cold at all.In fact, she thought the room's temperature might be too high, leaving her emotions feeling overly saturated.It wasn't just her. Hendrix felt the same. Only a month ago, they had been arguing. She had even resolved never to see him again in this lifetime. Yet, she always found it so easy to forgive him. He was like a persistent illness lodged in her heart. She had tried countless times to heal it. Yet, it kept flaring up again and again.The step he took toward her on the rooftop earlier had been enough to give her boundless courage. After all, he was someone she had loved for so many years.No one could resist imagining being with the person they loved. What one couldn't have would always leave regret. No one would want to live with regret.Noelle turned her head to look at the snowflakes falling softly outside, paired with the glittering night view of Sint

When this question surfaced in Noelle's mind, she suddenly thought of the couple from the Swanson family. Facing them, she had asked herself this same question countless times.But deep down, she had always known the answer. No matter how many disappointments she had endured, she couldn't help but cling to hope again once those wounds healed, until they smashed her heart to the ground and crushed it completely.Yes, what was she hoping for? Was she hoping they would love her or that Hendrix would treat her differently? For the past two years, she hadn't been able to warm his heart—how could he possibly draw closer to her suddenly?She had overestimated herself, or maybe she was just delusional. It was just like the time when she was a child. She stood outside the school gate and stared at the old man running a cotton candy stall. On his stand were cotton candies in various colors and flavors.At the time, she wanted so badly to have just one bite, but she had no money. So, all sh

"Mr. Freeman?" asked the person on the other end of the call, puzzled while waiting for Hendrix's response."I understand," Hendrix replied curtly before hanging up.He then turned his gaze back to Noelle and asked, "What are you doing?"His voice seemed calm but carried an unmistakable tension."Packing up. I'm heading to Coppersville," Noelle replied, as if she noticed nothing unusual. She continued fastening the lock on her suitcase without looking up.His expression remained unreadable. "What do you mean?"She finally raised her head, offering a faint smile. "Since Ms. Wright is already here, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay, would it?"Hendrix narrowed his eyes slightly at her words."Isn't she your fiancée?" Noelle asked.Her question prompted him to let out a soft chuckle. "So, are you jealous?""No," she said, lowering her gaze. How could she be? She didn't have that right.He said nothing more. He casually tossed his jacket aside and lit the cigarette betwe

Noelle saw Hendrix again two months later. It was at an auction Brandon had brought her to.At the time, she was in the backyard, and standing before her was Clark, whom she hadn't seen in months, either. Compared to their last meeting, he seemed much more dejected. His face had clearly grown thinner, but when he faced her, he still managed to force a smile."It's been a while, Noelle."Inwardly, she cursed Brandon several times for bringing her there, but on the surface, she maintained her polite smile. "Yes, it has," she said. "How have you been these days?" Clark asked."Pretty good.""Haven't you and Mr. Freeman reconciled?"The moment he said that, memories of that humiliating night in the car came flooding back to Noelle's mind. Her hands at her sides clenched slightly before she finally replied, "No."Clark fell silent.Noelle, however, couldn't bear the quiet tension hanging in the air. So, she said directly, "Please excuse me."As soon as she spoke, she started to

"Sandy! You…"As the car was about to start, someone rushed over, seemingly trying to remind Sandra of something. But Sandra quickly shook her head and said, "Noelle is my sister. I can't leave her behind. Don't worry. I'm fine."At that moment, her gentle and considerate demeanor seemed angelic to any onlookers. After finishing her words, Sandra swiftly rolled up the car window. Soon, only the two of them and the driver remained in the car. Sandra had originally planned to continue the act, but in the next moment, Noelle questioned, "Were you the one who told her?"By now, Noelle's rationality had slowly come back. With her head lowered, she kept her voice as calm as she could manage, though it still trembled slightly.Sandra looked at her for a moment and then smiled. "Yes."Noelle lifted her eyes."I put in quite a bit of effort for today's performance." Sandra winked and continued, "But Noelle, it's your own fault for being too naive. How could you trust a man like Clar