The Sway and Slide of Love

Hendrix had knocked out the wall in the middle. The master bedroom and study had been combined into one, and the secondary bedroom and living room now felt much more spacious.

By now, Rosie was completely exhausted. The moment Noelle picked her up, she immediately leaned on Noelle's shoulder and fell asleep. As for where they were now, she didn't even notice.

"The bedding is clean. Do you need anything else?" Hendrix asked her from the doorway.

"No, thank you."

"Don't you need to shower or change into pajamas?"

His question immediately made Noelle frown.

Hendrix quickly added, "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. So, um... Have a good rest, then. I'm in the room across the hall. Call me if you need anything."

After saying that, he turned and left. But Noelle quickly followed him.

Hendrix initially thought she had something to say to him, but the next moment, he realized she had closed the door behind him. He even heard the sound of the lock clicking into place.

Hendrix paused mid-step, then couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Guess some people never really change," he thought.noveldrama

After all these years, Noelle was still as naive as ever.

This was his home-wasn't it only natural that he had a key to the room she was staying in?

But Hendrix had no intention of doing anything. Not just because it wasn't the right time, but because he was content with how things were. After all, compared to the way they used to shut him out, this was a huge step forward.

Hendrix returned to his bedroom. The desk in the study was piled high with documents, but he was in no mood to look through them. Instead, he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

That night, he slept surprisingly well. There were no chaotic dreams, nor any sudden jolts of panic waking him up.

When he woke up the next day, the sky outside was already bright. He didn't get up immediately. Instead he replayed the events of last night in his mind, confirming that it hadn't been a dream, before finally getting out of bed.

He was in a good mood, so much so that he even planned to go out and buy breakfast for Noelle and Rosie But when he stepped out of his

room, he saw no one ins net

the

bedroom across the hall. He de froze in place, his good mood vanishing instantly.

He couldn't help but press his lips into a tight line. He had meant to call Noelle, but the moment he picked up his phone, his hand fell weakly to his side.

What was the point of calling her? What could he even ask her? Should he ask why she left without saying goodbye?

But she had planned to stay at a hotel last night anyway. He was the one who shamelessly insisted they stay here. So, it was only natural that she treated this place like a hotel-coming and going as she pleased.

At this door, Hendrix's hand finally fell back down. Then, he opened the door to check the situation outside-there was no sound or movement from the door across the hall.

Hendrix glanced at the time—it was around when Noelle usually took Rosie outside to play. Without hesitation, he took the elevator down.

But when he reached the ground floor, they were nowhere to be seen. Even though Noelle sometimes took Rosie elsewhere, this time something felt off to Hendrix-like something bad was happening.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of emptiness in his chest.