Hendrix's voice was unremarkably calm, as if he were casually telling Noelle to pick up something from the grocery store.

Noelle's expression shifted slightly. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Is it... that serious?"

"Yes." Hendrix nodded. "Besides, didn't he bully you before? Consider this payback."

When she didn't respond, he looked at her. "Don't tell me you feel sorry for him?"

"No." Noelle's voice was steady. "I'm just... a little surprised."

"Well, someone like him doesn't deserve sympathy," Hendrix spoke as he opened the cake box. Since

Noelle didn't want it, he scooped up a spoonful and put it into his mouth.

"Not bad." He nodded, then scooped another spoonful and held it out to her. "Want to try?"

The smell still made Noelle a little queasy, but in the end, she opened her mouth.

"Is it good?" Hendrix's smile deepened.

To keep herself from gagging, Noelle swallowed it whole, barely tasting anything. But since he had asked, she still answered, "It's okay."

Hendrix nodded. "Alright. I'll get you more next time."

"By the way, let's go check out that baby store you were looking at this morning later tonight. We can pick up a few things. It might be too soon, but I'll be busy afterward. We should go while we have time."

Noelle looked down. After a moment, she gave a soft hum of agreement.

Hendrix was about to say something else when his phone rang

Noelle caught a glimpse of the caller ID-Erwin.

"I'll take this. Freshen up and come eat."noveldrama

He didn't wait for Noelle's response and stepped out with his phone.

"I handled everything you asked for," said Erwin on the phone.

Hendrix simply gave a quiet hum.

Erwin clicked his tongue. "That's it? How do you plan to thank me?"

"That was nothing more than a favor."

"I still had to be willing to do it," Erwin said. "What about my proposal? Have you changed your mind?" Hendrix didn't answer, but his silence was an answer in itself.

"Fine. But from what I've seen, things aren't looking great for you over there. If everyone around you turns on you, don't forget-you can still come back here."

Hendrix didn't bother listening any further. He ended the call without hesitation and then looked back at the tightly shut door to the private room.

Erwin's words echoed in his ears.

If everyone around turned on him...

Hendrix shook off the thought, forcing it from his mind.

In the days that followed, things between him and Noelle were peaceful. They went to the baby store and bought a crib.

The store offered assembly services, but Hendrix declined. Instead, he spent two hours putting it together himself by following the instruction manual.

He also installed safety bumpers around the house, all clear signs of anticipation for the baby's arrival. Of course, everything he did was for Noelle to see.

He wanted her to know this wasn't just a passing impulse. Even if his original intentions weren't pure, and

even if he knew he wasn't a good person, he would still try his best to be a good father.

Hendrix didn't know what Noelle truly thought of him at the moment, but at least on the surface, their days together seemed good.

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