Noelle noticed her reaction. Following her gaze, she was momentarily stunned when she saw Hendrix. She then turned to the caregiver beside her and said, "Could you give us a moment?"

"Oh, sure." The caregiver remained dazed for a moment. Even though she felt intimidated by Hendrix's presence, she couldn't help but steal a few more glances at his handsome face before finally turning to leave and quietly closing the door behind her.

Hendrix stood there, unmoving. From the moment he appeared, he had only coldly watched Noelle, not uttering a single word or making a single move.

After a few moments of their silently staring at each other, Noelle finally said, "Mr. Freeman, I suggest you leave if you're just going to stand there and stare at me. I need all the rest I can get."

"Are you out of your mind?" Hendrix finally asked, his voice colder than ever. "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Yes." Noelle's response was crisp and calm.

All this for a little bit of share in Elm Group? Do you even realize the risks this surgery will pose to your body?"

"I'm well aware of it."

"And you're still going through with it?"

"As you said, I'm doing it for that little bit of share in Elm Group. Is that a problem?"

"If you really wanted money, then-"noveldrama

"I don't want your money," Noelle interrupted him. "And I'm a Swanson. That's my mother. Everything is as it should be.'

Hendrix locked eyes with her for a moment before suddenly laughing. "Who are you trying to fool? If it was really! everything as it should be,' you would have agreed to the surgery long ago and not waited until now!"

"Can't I have a change of mind? Besides, what right do you have to criticize my choices now?" Hendrix's words suddenly got caught in his throat.

Noelle sat there, looking at him with unwavering seriousness. "We're already divorced. There's nothing between us anymore. In fact, you shouldn't even be here."

She was right.

Hendrix stood there, feeling defeated and hurt by Noelle's words. Before coming, he had even thought that if Craig was forcing her to settle the case out of court, he would help her as long as she asked for it. But Noelle's words reminded him that, in reality, he had no position to stand on now. Whether it was helping her or criticizing her, he had no right to do either.

"You'll regret this," Hendrix finally said.

"I don't care. After all, there are already so many things in my life that I regret."

Hendrix was completely speechless. He said nothing more and simply turned and left.

"Hendrix," Noelle suddenly called out to him again.

He stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around.

"I still owe you an apology. I'm really sorry about what happened to your mother. Truly sorry."

Hendrix didn't say anything. He simply pressed his lips together before walking out. The hospital room door opened and then closed again, plunging the entire room back into silence.

Noelle stared in the direction of the door for a long time. She knew that after this, there would truly be not relationship left between her and Hendrix. No debts, no lingering ties, and nothing to bind them.

Noelle blinked hard. When she turned her head again, she happened to catch sight of herself in the window across from her. The comers of her eyes were slightly red, but the ears never fell. She knew she wouldn't cry anymore- no matter who it was for.