The Sway and Slide of Love

At that moment, Noelle suddenly thought of her mother-not the one who resented her for not undergoing the transplant surgery even on her deathbed, but the one who was still lying unconscious in the hospital.

Noelle wondered if Cynthia had considered the consequences when she threw herself in front of Noelle to save her. Did she think about how that single action would leave her in a coma?

But she knew, if given the chance to do it all over again, Cynthia would probably make the same choice.

Just like Noelle now, who didn't care that she had to kneel and bow before Hendrix. Her dignity and life-none of these matter anymore to her. She only wanted one thing-for Rosie to live.

Afterward, she couldn't recall what Hendrix had said before he left, but she did remember him tossing a piece of paper toward her on his way out.

It was a consent form with his signature on it. Noelle had no idea when he had signed it, but that was of no importance.

The moment she held that form in her hands, all she could think was, "So, all he wanted was to see me kneel and beg."

If only he had told her sooner, they wouldn't have wasted all this time circling each other like this. But thankfully, it wasn't too late.

Once Hendrix had signed the consent form, the doctors began making arrangements immediately. The surgical team was the one Hendrix had personally recruited, and Noelle heard they would be led by the world's top specialist.

Before the surgery, someone had assured Noelle that for doctors of this caliber, it was no different from an ordinary physician treating a common cold. So, there was no need for her to worry.

Still, she couldn't sleep the night before the surgery.

Rosie, however, slept soundly. That was because Noelle had told her she just needed to take a long nap the next day, and when she woke up, she'd start feeling better. Then, she would be able to go wherever she pleased and eat whatever she wanted, like the other healthy kids.

For Rosie, that was a really big temptation, so she wasn't scared at all. On the contrary, she seemed almost excited.

Noelle wasn't sure who had told her, but the next day, just before entering the operating room, Rosie asked her, "Mommy, do you know who's staying in the room next door?"

Noelle froze for a brief moment, then

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slowly lowered her eyes. Hendrix needed to do some pre-surgery preparations as well, so he had been admitted the night before. But she

hadn't figured out how to tell Rosie yet.

Seeing her silence, Rosie quickly confirmed her own guess, "Is it my daddy?"

Noelle hesitated for a while before finally nodding.

"Why? Is he sick, too?"

"No." Noelle pressed her lips together. "He's in the hospital because of you."

"Because of me? Why?"

"Rosie, do you remember whatnoveldrama

Mommy told you before? That you're the product of Mommy and Daddy's love? But you grew up so fast that the energy we gave you before wasn't quite enough. So, the doctors are going to take a little more energy from Daddy and give it to you.

"That way, you won't get sick anymore, and you'll grow up healthy and strong."

After hearing that, Rosie stayed silent for a long time.

Noelle was even beginning to think that her explanation sounded too far-fetched. After all, Rosie had overheard countless conversations about her condition during her time at the hospitals. And being a smart and sensitive child, there was no way she was completely oblivious.

But after a while, Rosie looked up at Noelle and said, "But Mommy, I don't want

Daddy's energy. I hate him."

Of all the things Rosie could have said, Noelle never expected that.