The Sway and Slide of Love novel Chapter 669

"Even back when Rosie was sick—"

At this point, Hendrix paused on his own. He knew that because of this incident, Noelle had permanently condemned him.

The fact that they were here now, living together like this, was nothing short of a miracle. There were nights when he'd wake up in the middle of the dream, needing to hold Noelle tightly just to reassure himself she was really still by his side.

And as for that period of their lives, neither of them had spoken about it for a long time.

That was until now, when Hendrix brought it up on his own.

Noelle clearly didn't want to revisit that memory, either. The moment he mentioned it, she frowned and instinctively pulled her hand away from him.

But Hendrix immediately tightened his hold, as if he knew exactly what she was going to do.

"I know what I did was wrong back then," Hendrix said. "I was just so angry and wanted to hurt you as badly as you hurt me. I wanted you to give in to me. That first time at the hotel—I just wanted you to yield to me. But I never expected you to ask me to sign the consent form.

"It made me feel like I'm being used. So, I deliberately played hard to get in the hopes you'd give me a way out. I know I was an asshole back then. No matter what, I should never have used Rosie's life as a bargaining chip.

"But Noelle, you have to believe me when I say I love Rosie, too. I mean, how could I not love her when I love you so much? She's your child, after all."

Noelle didn't respond. Instead, she slowly pressed her lips into a thin line. She knew her current stance and decisions contradicted her past beliefs. Her way of justifying it to herself had always been to move forward with her life.

After all, everything in this world was constantly changing, including her emotions and how she viewed those around her. So maybe some things from the past weren't as important anymore. But just because they didn't matter as much didn't mean she had let them go.

Just like how she still could remember the pain Hendrix had caused her because of Sandra.

Now, as he brought up what had happened when Rosie was sick, Noelle remained visibly cold toward him.