The Sway and Slide of Love

Chapter 102

Noelle felt uncomfortable with Hendrix's current actions. She was about to grab the towel from his hands when Hendrix suddenly spoke, "I heard some news today."

Noelle froze, her eyes locking onto his

"I might have a brother I don't know about," he said calmly

Noelle's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean my father might have an illegitimate child," Hendrix replied, his tone still eerily calm, as though he were discussing something entirely unrelated to himself.

Noelle had no idea why he was suddenly sharing this with her.

When they were married, they'd never had heart-to-heart conversations like this. She rarely asked him anything personal, and Hendrix had been even more tight-lipped.

Sometimes, they'd go days without seeing or speaking to each other, even under the same roof. It was absurd for a married couple to live that way.

And yet, Hendrix was now opening up about a deeply private family matter.

Was it because she was no longer his wife, so he didn't feel the need to hide the scandal?

Noelle didn't know. All she felt was a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"How did you find out?" she finally asked.

"My mother told me."

"And who is this person?"

"I don't know. But my mother and grandmother likely know about his existence," Hendrix said, his voice growing colder with every word.

Noelle didn't know how to respond.

Hendrix lowered his gaze, meeting her eyes, "Do you pity me?"

"No." Noelle forced a small, strained smile. "What right do have to pity you?"

She was still bitter about what he'd said to her the night before.

Hendrix could sense it but didn't comment further. After all, he wouldn't have said those hurtful words if

she hadn't gotten involved with someone else. In a way, they were even now.

"That's enough," Noelle said, yanking the towel from his hands and standing up. "If you want to sleep here tonight, go ahead. I'll take the couch."

With that, she turned to leave.

But before she could take a step, Hendrix grabbed her wrist and pushed her onto the bed. "There's a bed. Why sleep on the couch?"

Noelle wanted to struggle, but the thought of the neighbor's angry shouts earlier made her hesitate. She stayed calm and stared at Hendrix in confusion.

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After a moment, Hendrix pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her. "Let's sleep together," he said gruffly.

His voice was awkward since he wasn't used to saying such things. But his actions were as assertive as ever, leavingg Noelle no room to escape.

She continued to pry at his hands, trying to break free.

Then, Hendrix spoke again, "Didn't you say earlier that your mother almost woke up? You wouldn't want the medical team to suddenly withdraw their care, would you?

Noelle froze at his words. Then, her hands fell limply to her sides. She finally loosened up a little.

In a strange way, this version of Hendrix felt familiar to her

"At least let me dry my hair," she said finally.

To her surprise, Hendrix agreed.

She pulled his hands away, went to the cabinet to grab a hairdryer, and headed to the bathroom. Her hair had grown longer again.

By the time she finished and stepped out of the bathroom, 20 minutes had passed.

Hendrix was already lying in her bed, sound asleep.

Noelle couldn't help but feel the irony of the situation. This was the first time she had ever seen him sleeping.