"What do you mean?" Hendrix asked.

"Literally what I just said." Noelle smiled. "I don't know how you feel about me, nor do I want to know now. I've moved on, and I will not be tied to the past. In other words, Mr. Freeman, you're out."

As her words fell, Noelle pried open Hendrix's tightly clenched fingers one by one.

"The wounds are already treated. They're shallow enough not to require bandaging. You can leave now."

With that, she moved to stand up, but in the next moment, Hendrix suddenly spoke, his voice laced with subtle resentment, "You're truly indifferent, aren't you? Saying you've let go, just like that?"noveldrama

There was a trace of bitterness in his tone, as if accusing her of being "irresponsible."

Noelle found it almost laughable.

Turning to face him, she said, "Mr. Freeman, you must be joking. I'm not as indifferent as you think. If I truly could let go as easily as you say, I wouldn't have gone to Dynalis alone back then.

"I wouldn't have drunk myself into oblivion just to muster the courage to ask you one question-whether you'd be willing to give me another chance.

"You rejected me back then, not even giving me any leeway or a chance to explain. So now, what right do you have to accuse me?

"I can move on now because I gave everything I had to love you back then. I fought for us with all my strength. Though the result wasn't what I hoped for, I feel that's enough. I've never held back my feelings, so I have no

regrets.

"And Mr. Freeman, let me tell you this again. I am not an object that you can pick up and put down at will, nor am I someone who will wait for you forever."

As she spoke, Noelle stood on the opposite side of the coffee table, positioning herself in a stance that confronted Hendrix.

Hendrix finally let go of his grip.

Noelle turned around as well. "You may leave."

After some time, Hendrix stood up.

Noelle heard the sound of his footsteps, seemingly leaving, but then he suddenly said, "By the way, if you have time to go back to Coppersville, you can visit my mother."

His words took Noelle by surprise.

She stood still for a moment, her teeth slowly clenching together. She didn't understand why Hendrix would bring Beatrice up all of a sudden.

In truth, Noelle did feel guilty toward her. Like Sandra had said, if she had been more attentive and had noticed the signs of her emotional turmoil back then, perhaps everything could have been avoided. Beatrice wouldn't have been bedridden.

Later, Noelle wanted to visit her, but Hendrix stopped her from doing so. In the end, she didn't know how to face her anymore.

At that moment, Hendrix seemed unconcerned with how she would respond. After leaving those words, he turned

and walked toward the door.

Noelle pressed her lips together, took a few quick steps forward, and slammed the door shut with a forceful "bang

The world suddenly fell quiet again.

Hendrix paused in his steps. Slowly, he turned his head. Although all he could see was the closed door, he couldn't help but chuckle softly.

It didn't really matter. In that moment, Noelle reminded him of the woman she once was.

She acted indifferent, as if she didn't care at all, but in reality, she was just like a cat hiding its claws. The

moment he prodded her, she immediately bared her fangs, unable to hide them any longer.