Matilda took a deep breath and tried once more to reason with Noelle. "Have you thought about your future? Forget everything else the medical expenses alone will be enough to crush you! Your father..." "No matter what, I won't starve to death," Noelle interrupted bluntly. "This isn't something you should worry about. From now on, just pretend I was never found.

"Your daughter, Noelle Swanson, died when she got lost at five years old."

In the end, Matilda left.

Noelle sat on the couch in silence for a while before quietly picking up her racket and walking out the door.

At the gym near the high school, Noelle swung her racket with all her strength.

The gym had air conditioning, but after such intense exercise, sweat was dripping down her face,

soaking her hair. Her vision was starting to blur from the sweat in her eyes.

Just as she was waiting for her opponent to serve, a familiar voice broke through the air, "Let me play for a while."

Her temporary partner, a college student by the looks of him, didn't refuse. He simply nodded and tossed the ball to the newcomer before heading to the side to take a water break

"I knew you'd be here," Maxwell said as he looked at Noelle

She didn't respond, focusing intently on the ball in his hand.

"Look at you, all sweaty. Take a break," Maxwell added.

Noelle stared at him for a moment. When she realized he wasn't planning on playing with her, she turned around and went to find another partner.

But Maxwell quickly caught up and grabbed her hand.

"Let go of me."

Maxwell didn't answer. He simply pulled her in the opposite direction.noveldrama

"Maxwell Quinlan, let go of me!"

Noelle pushed and shoved at him repeatedly, but Maxwell's strength was too much for her. She couldn't break

free.

Finally, with a sudden pull, he yanked her into his arms.

She tried to struggle, but Maxwell tightened his hold around her. "If it hurts, just cry it out. Don't worry. No one's watching."

His words froze Noelle in place. The hand she had raised finally dropped, and even the racket fell to the ground.

She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding from the exertion Something quickly slid down her cheeks, but she convinced herself it was just blood from the wound, not tears.

She hadn't cried in years.

She had long known they didn't love her-her father, her mother, even Hendrix.

Her tears had dried up a long time ago.

But right now, she still felt pain. Even though she knew it was like rotten flesh, it still tore at her heart when that piece of flesh was finally cut away.

"Mr. Freeman?" a voice suddenly interrupted from nearby.

Hendrix finally shifted his gaze away and turned his head.

The person followed his gaze and looked over, but Hendrix stepped in front to block their view before they could spot anything. "It's a bit crowded today."

"Yes, but I've already arranged for the court. Please come this way."

"Alright."

Hendrix followed the man without hesitation. But as he lifted his foot to step forward, he couldn't stop himself from glancing back.

Noelle and Maxwell were still wrapped in each other's arms.

He could see Noelle's trembling shoulders and the firm grip Maxwell had around her waist.

Hendrix's brows furrowed tightly

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