The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle had been to this restaurant a few times before with Dylan, so the server immediately recognized her. One of them started approaching her with a warm smile, but the moment she saw the man walking behind Noelle, her expression faltered slightly.

Noelle ignored her reaction and simply said, "I'll have my usual order and an omelette for my daughter."

"Got it," the server said with a nod, though she couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Hendrix before turning and heading back to the kitchen.

"Have you been here before?" Hendrix asked.

Though the restaurant was decently decorated, it showed its age. The tables and chairs were made of lacquered wood, clean but with a noticeable sheen of grease from years of use.

Noelle noticed Hendrix frowning slightly, but he didn't say anything. The frown lasted only for a brief second before he sat down as if nothing had happened. Then, he looked at her, waiting for her answer.noveldrama

"Yeah. I've been here a few times."

"With Dylan?" Hendrix asked, his voice tense.

Hendrix had, of course, noticed the way the server looked at him just now. It didn't take him long to piece things together. For the server to remember Noelle and Dylan, they must have been here more than once.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Noelle asked, getting straight to the point.

Her tone was professional, as if their interactions should be limited to necessity and nothing more.

Hendrix held her gaze for a moment before asking, "You haven't been in touch with Dylan recently, have you?"

Noelle didn't respond, which was as good as admitting he was right.

Hendrix let out a soft chuckle. "I knew it."

"And so?"

"So, he's been flaunting his relationship with Jean lately. I told you before-men who've schemed against you can't be trusted. Now you see, don't you? He—"

"What does that have to do with you?" Noelle interjected.

Hendrix instantly went quiet.

"Or did you come to mock me?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience. "Do you feel so superior that you've come to laugh at my naivety and stupidity? Do you really have nothing better to do?

Hendrix remained silent.

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Noelle picked up her glass and took a sip before continuing, "I admit I was naive. shouldn't have trusted him so easily, but this is my own business. If I was deceived or kept in the dark, that's on me. But does it really warrant your attention? What does it have to do with you?"

Noelle's voice remained calm throughout, and in a volume that only the two of them could hear. She had given her phone to Rosie, who was now engrossed in playing the game Snake.

Noelle knew that once Rosie got into the game, she wouldn't pay attention to anything happening around her, which was why she felt comfortable speaking openly with Hendrix.

Seeing that Hendrix remained silent,

Noelle was about to say something

else when he suddenly let out a

short laugh. The unexpected sound made Noelle frown, and she looked at him as if he had gone crazy.

"You're right. This has nothing to do with me. I apologize for overstepping earlier.

I'm sorry."

With that, he picked up his glass.

Noelle, however, was momentarily stunned by his reaction.