Night fell over Nivis Villa

Hendrix still hadn't come home, but it wasn't like Noelle was waiting for him. Instead, she'd simply ordered takeout for herself.

The frozen peas pressed against her cheek had grown warm and the redness on her skin had started to fade.

Initially, she'd worried that if Hendrix saw the mark, he might cause trouble for the Prichett family. But now, it seemed that concern had been unnecessary.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Noelle assumed Hendrix probably wouldn't be coming back tonight. This was a feeling she was all too familiar with. Once again, she was alone in Nivis Villa. Hendrix was a husband in name only-nothing more.

The only difference now was that she had to sleep in the master bedroom instead of the small bedroom she used. to sleep in. And perhaps it was this change that kept Noelle awake. Even after lying down for a long time, sleep eluded her completely.

For a fleeting moment, she even considered returning to the small bedroom at the end of the hall. At least it was a place she was familiar with.

Unlike the master bedroom, where the scent in the air was familiar, yet the room itself was filled with things that belonged to both of them-things that made it completely different from before.

That strange, disjointed feeling-both familiar and alien-was like a dull blade pressed against her arm. It wasn't enough to cause serious harm but sharp enough to make the pain unmistakably clear.

Noelle had tossed and turned for over an hour. Just as a hint of drowsiness finally began to take hold, she heard the sound of an engine coming from downstairs.

She chose to ignore it, but the next moment, the doorbell rang.

Noelle still acted as if she hadn't heard it. Yet the person outside didn't seem to mind. They pressed the doorbell slowly and deliberately, one ring after another.

She suddenly remembered that there were no other staff in the house anymore. So, if she didn't go down to open the door, the person outside would likely keep ringing indefinitely.

With that thought, she finally got up.

"Apologies, Mrs. Freeman. Did I disturb your rest?" Dan stood at the door, his face full of contrition. "But Mr. Freeman is drunk, so I had no choice but to bring him back."

Noelle glanced at him, then at the man he was supporting. In the end, she stepped aside. "Come in." ehouse.

Dan quickly helped Hendrix into the

Hendrix was completely unconscious, reeking of alcohol so strongly that Noelle could smell it before she even got

close.

When Dan eased him onto the couch, Hendrix didn't even make a sound.

Noelle didn't want to deal with him. After letting Dan in, she immediately turned to head back upstairs, but Dan hurriedly called out to stop her.

"Mrs. Freeman! Where are you going?"

"Is there something else?"

"No... It's just... Shouldn't there be someone to take care of Mr. Freeman?" -

"Aren't you here?"noveldrama

Dan fell silent and stared at Noelle in shock.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Noelle finally said, "I'm not going to take care of him." "But before-

"That was before," Noelle cut him off without hesitation.

Dan fell silent again, his face full of discomfort.

Noelle offered a solution. "If you're willing, you can stay and look after him. If not, just leave. When he's drunk, he just sleeps anyway. All we need to do is let him sleep it off."

After speaking, Noelle turned and went back upstairs. As for what Dan's reaction was, she didn't bother to check.

This time, she fell asleep quickly, but her sleep was restless. The moment she closed her eyes,

fragmented and tangled dreams clung to her like vines, and, tried as she might, she couldn't break free from them..

When she opened her eyes, it was still the early hours of the morning. Her breathing was still heavy, and her mouth was parched.