The Sway and Slide of Love novel Chapter 646

It was Christmas Eve—the season of warmth, renewal, and celebration.

Even though people often said the holiday spirit wasn't what it used to be, it remained one of the most anticipated days of the year.

On this day, everyone dressed in their best clothes, setting aside the troubles and sorrows of the year, if only for a little while. This day symbolized joy, hope, and reunion.

Noelle had never found the latter word so piercing before. This was likely the liveliest Christmas Rosie had ever experienced. In previous years, it had just been the two of them.

No matter how much Noelle prepared, the cold emptiness was always there. But on the other side, she knew that the Swifts' household had to be just as cold. A holiday like this only magnified the pain of loss.

Noelle remembered how Seline used to spend Christmas Eve with her own family before flying to Stormridge on Christmas Day to be with her and Rosie.

Seline would always give Rosie a Christmas present. But this year, Rosie would never receive a Christmas present from her again. And yet, Rosie didn't seem to realize it. After all, she now had Hendrix and Beatrice.

Noelle couldn't even remember the last time she heard Rosie bring up Seline. So, had Rosie forgotten all about Seline? Noelle suddenly felt a pang of resentment toward Rosie.

How could Rosie forget? Seline had died because of her. If she hadn't begged to go skiing—

"Noelle," Hendrix called out to her softly. A moment later, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

The gesture pulled Noelle back to the present, and she was horrified by the thoughts she had just been having.

What had she just been thinking? Had she actually been blaming Rosie? Rosie was only three years old—what could she possibly understand?