The Sway and Slide of Love

Hendrix frowned deeply, and this time, his hesitation before declining the call was obvious.

Noelle, however, immediately unfastened her seatbelt and reached for the car door. "Forget it. I'll just go back on my own."

But Hendrix quickly grabbed her wrist. "Where are you going?"

"You seem busy. I can get a cab home."!

"It's so late! How are you going to get a cab?"

"Aren't there plenty of cars on the road? Why wouldn't I be able to?"

"Come back! I'II-"

Before he could finish, a third call came through.

Noelle's gaze turned sharp with a hint of mockery. "Look at you-so busy. I won't trouble you any further. I'll go back on my own."

With that, she pried his fingers off her wrist.

Hendrix reached out to grab her again, but Noelle moved with a swift decisiveness. The moment she stepped out of the car, she headed straight across the street.

By the time Hendrix unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, the traffic light had already turned red.noveldrama

Even in the dead of night, Coppersville's streets remained lively, with cars passing in an unending flow. Hendrix couldn't get through at all, and by the time the light changed, there was no one on the other side of the road.

He immediately called Noelle, but her phone was still turned off. Frustrated, he kicked a nearby trash can hard.

Then, he got back in his car and sped toward Nivis Villa.

He drove really fast, so fast that, by the time he arrived, he had actually beaten Noelle home.

The pitch-dark, silent house only worsened his irritation, so he turned on every single light in the villa. After that, he sat down on the couch, waiting for Noelle to come back.

It was past midnight by then, and his birthday had arrived.

Truth be told, in the past 30 years, Hendrix had never looked forward to his own birthday as much as he had this time.

Growing up, Beatrice had always told him that his birthday was her day of suffering, so there was never anything to celebrate. Ironically, once he had gained power and status, the people around him had taken it upon themselves to arrange extravagant celebrations for him.

But by then, Hendrix had already outgrown the excitement of birthdays, nor did he have the energy to

care.

But this year was different. He knew Noelle had been preparing a birthday gift for him.

They had reconciled and were expecting a child together. Everything had been moving toward that

picture- perfect, enviably happy ending.

And yet now, it felt like it was all slipping away.

He knew people had been gossiping about him and Olivia. He knew exactly where the rumors started. In fact, he

had allowed them to spread, patiently waiting for the real mastermind to walk into the trap he had set up. And he had thought that Noelle would trust him. After all, he had given her so many reassurances before. But now...

Hendrix's frustration grew. Unable to sit still any longer, li got up.

It was at that moment that a thought suddenly struck him

The realization sent him scrambling to his feet.

him

wasn't Noelle taking a little too long to come back?

wasn't

And just then, his phone rang again. The sharp ringtone pierced through the vast, silent living room, causing him to jump in fright.

He immediately spun around.

And on his phone screen was an unknown number.

B

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