Noelle said she was sorry.

If her earlier response had merely left Hendrix a little surprised, then these two words were like a stab into his chest.

His lips moved, but it took him a long moment to find his voice. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I should've made Rosie apologize to you right away," Noelle said softly, eyes downcast. "You were right. When someone does something wrong, they should apologize. If she had done so then, none of this would have happened.

"As her mother, I failed to teach her properly. So, I'm apologizing to you for that. And about what I said to you earlier... I wasn't trying to be difficult. I was just too anxious at the time, so I hope you won't hold it against me."

When she finished speaking, Hendrix fell into complete silence.

"Oh, and thank you for the arrangements you've made with the doctors. I—"

Seeing that Noelle was about to continue, Hendrix cut her off sharply, "That's enough."

He slowly clenched his teeth. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're saying all this just to make me feel worse, right?"

Noelle looked up at him with eyes filled with confusion, as if she didn't quite understand what he was saying.

"Why didn't you tell me she's sick? Yes, I know I haven't been involved in your life these past two years, but wasn't that your choice? You were the one who insisted on leaving me! I was the one who was abandoned! What was I supposed to do? Chase after you and beg you to stay?

"It's the same thing today. If you'd told me earlier that Rosie was sick, would I have handled things this way? What you think I am? No matter what happened between us, she's still my own flesh and blood!"

Hendrix poured out his anger and resentment in one breath.

At that moment, he barely recognized himself. He wasn't supposed to act like this. Hadn't he already long accepted her abandonment?

Besides, he had managed just fine

over the years, so what was the point of bringing it up again now? only made him seem like some bitter man, endlessly listing he

t

faults just to paint himself as pitiful.

Noelle sat quietly, simply watching him. Suddenly, she remembered something Seline had said to her.

She had intended to tell Hendrix about Rosie's illness, but Seline had assured her that he already knew. So, she never made that call.

Now it seemed there had been a misunderstanding between them. But what was the point of clarifying it now?

Noelle met his gaze and said, "I'm sorry."

"What did you just say?"

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"

Hendrix suddenly found himself unable to speak.

"I truly appreciate that you didn't hold a grudge and for everything you've done for Rosie. Rest assured, what I promised you back then still stands. Once Rosie recovers, we'll leave Coppersville and won't disturb your life again," Noelle said. noveldrama

Was that what Hendrix wanted to hear?

Of course not!

He clenched his fists tightly, staring at her for a moment before suddenly laughing.

Then, without hesitation, he turned around. He didn't say a word-just strode forward quickly, almost

ke a

man gone mad, desperate to escape

some inescapable truth.