The Sway and Slide of Love

Hendrix's attitude was uncharacteristically deferential-enough to arouse suspicion and anxiety.

But Marshall remained far calmer than Marla. He raised his glass without hesitation and said, "No need for apologies. What matters is that Noelle's been found."

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Swift," Hendrix replied.

The two men conversed pleasantly, and after downing his drink in one gulp, Hendrix turned to look at Noelle.

Noelle was frowning at the Swift couple, as if something had just occurred to her -or perhaps she was simply trying to recall a memory.

But even that small action was enough to make Marla visibly uneasy.

Clutching her wine glass, Marla hesitated for a moment before asking Noelle, "But why was there no news from you during that time? You have no idea how frantic Mr. Freeman was searching for you here. Were you unreachable, or was there another reason?"

Marla probed carefully, her eyes fixed on Noelle, searching for something in her expression.

Though she had already heard about Noelle's memory loss from Dylan, something about it still felt unreal. Marla couldn't be sure if it was true and was worried that Noelle was merely pretending.

"I've forgotten parts of my past," Noelle answered, not hiding anything. "If Hendrix hadn't found me, I might still not know who I am. But maybe it's because this city feels so familiar that I've started to remember bits and pieces lately."

As soon as the words left her lips, Marla visibly paled.

"What have you remembered?" she asked quickly. Her flustered voice seemed to give something away. Realizing her slip, she immediately glanced at Marshall. Marshall was frowning slightly. But he still reached over and gave her hand a light pat.

"I'm not entirely sure." Noelle frowned and lowered her eyes as if in pain. "They're fragmented memories—nothing clear yet."

"That's enough," Dylan, who had been quietly observing, cut in smoothly. "You don't need to force yourself to remember if it's painful."

He poured a glass of water and placed it in front of her. "Don't stress over it. You'll get better with time," he said gently.

Hendrix, however, had been

watching his every move. Logically, the water was harmless, and with him right there, he doubted Dylan would dare to tamper with it Still, he refused to let Noelle drink it.

Without hesitation, he moved the glass aside and called for a server to bring Noelle a glass of juice.

Dylan chuckled at the blatant distrust. "Mr. Freeman, isn't that a bit excessive? Are you afraid I'll do something to her?"

"You're overthinking it, Mr. Pritchett,"noveldrama

Hendrix replied. "I just know she doesn't like plain water. But you're not wrong-when you lose something precious and get it back, you tend to cherish it more."

As he spoke, Hendrix reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Noelle's ear. It was a very tender and intimate gesture, to say the least. Only someone sitting that close to her had the right to touch her like that.

Dylan knew it was a provocation, yet he couldn't stop his jaw from tightening.

A second later, Hendrix suddenly turned to look at him. His sharp gaze swept

across Dylan, who hadn't even had time to mask the hatred in his eyes.

But with things between them as they were, there was no need for pretense anymore. So, Dylan didn't bother to look away.