Hendrix suddenly fell silent.

Noelle realized she had said the wrong thing. No matter what, the cruelest thing one could do during an argument was attacking the other person's deepest vulnerabilities. No matter how much resentment or anger she held toward him, she shouldn't have said that.

Especially since Hendrix had just lost control of his emotions earlier that morning because of Beatrice's "betrayal ". And yet, Noelle had still blurted it out.

"Oh, so that's what she told you," Hendrix finally said after a long moment.

Noelle said nothing in response.

Hendrix suddenly laughed. "Well, it's not surprising. In her eyes, I really am a monster. If she could, I think she'd want to go back in time and strangle me at birth. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have been tied to the Freeman family all these years. Maybe she could have been with her true love instead."

His voice grew colder and more mocking with every word.

Noelle pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.

As Hendrix spoke, he suddenly realized something-she no longer felt any sympathy for him. Which meant that playing the victim in front of her was useless.

Not that he had intended to. He wasn't trying to gain her pity. The words had simply slipped out.

Hendrix quickly suppressed his emotions and said calmly, "You're right. I switched your pills because I wanted you to have a child to tie you to me.

"As for the issue you're worried about, it's unnecessary. As long as we get along with each other in the future, how would he ever find out about this?"

Noelle curled her lips into a bitter smile. "He wouldn't know, but I would."

"You want a child, too, don't you? You just need to forget As Hendrix spoke, he stepped forward and reached out to take her hand.

But Noelle shook off his hand without a second thought. "Hendrix, you still don't get it, do you? You don't actually want a child-you're just treating him as a tool. And can a father who sees his child as nothing more than a tool really be a good father?

"And it's not that you truly love me and want to be with me, either. I'm just another tool to you a tool to love you.

Hendrix's gaze darkened. He stared at Noelle for a moment before suddenly letting out a laugh.

"Noelle, it seems like I've been too good to you. You say I don't love you? Then, tell me what does it mean to love someone? Have I not done enough for you? Have I not been good enough to you lately? If this isn't loving you, then tell me what is?"

As he spoke, Hendrix reached out and grabbed her shoulders. His grip was so strong that it felt as if he intended to crush her bones.

But Noelle remained silent. It wasn't because she didn't knew how to respond, but because she had already decided to stop engaging

with him.noveldrama

Hendrix slowly let go of his tight grip. Then, he suddenly laughed again.

©

"Now I finally understand-the person who's really emotionally distant is actually you."

His phone had been ringing nonstop, but he continued to ignore it.

Hendrix turned around without hesitation, but he wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, he said, "It doesn't

matter. You're already pregnant anyway. Living here alone isn't safe, so I'll arrange for a few people to take care of you.

"I'll also have someone book a doctor appointment for you. Tomorrow, I'll take you for a prenatal checkup."

"You're planning to put me under house arrest, aren't you? Noelle asked, looking at his back. Hendrix didn't respond, but his silence was as good as an admission.