The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle had also mentioned that Rosie had been looking forward to this day for a long time, so she hoped Hendrix could set aside an entire day to spend with her.

Hendrix had agreed at the time. But now, did any of it still matter?noveldrama

Finally, he asked Rosie, "What do you want for your birthday?"

Rosie turned to look at him. After studying him for a moment, she turned back to the window and replied, "I don't want anything."

Hendrix didn't know how to respond. In truth, he knew better than anyone what Rosie wanted most. But the confidence he had once felt was now replaced by uncertainty.

He was well aware that leaving Rosie at Sienna Villa was a better choice. After all, he was busy with work, and he wasn't sure how to communicate with a child. Yet, he still wanted to bring her back to Roselle Court-to their home.

Because Hendrix didn't want to return to a place where he would be all alone. The vast, silent space and all the familiar objects inside would serve as painful reminders that Noelle wasn't there.

And if Rosie wasn't there, either, he would be consumed by doubt. He would start to believe that the happiness he had experienced was nothing but an illusion— that it had never truly existed.

But now, it seemed bringing Rosie back hadn't made much of a difference. She didn't want to talk to him, and Hendrix didn't know what to say to her.

The large dining room was filled only with the sound of their quiet eating. When Hendrix peeled a shrimp and tried to put it in Rosie's bowl, she avoided his gesture. She then told him, "I don't like shrimps."

Did she really not like it? Hendrix wasn't sure. But he remembered Noelle peeling shrimp for her before. So, did she not like shrimp, or did she just not want the one he had peeled?

Hendrix didn't ask. He simply acted as if nothing had happened and ate the shrimp himself.

And dinner ended just like that.

Rosie returned to her room on her own. She wrote, drew, and read.

Hendrix watched her from the doorway for a while before finally stepping inside.

Rosie put down her book and stared at him.

"You blame me, don't you?" Hendrix finally asked.

Rosie didn't answer him.

Hendrix pursed his lips and continued, "You blame me for not protecting your mommy, right?"

"Liar," Rosie finally uttered.

The word was spat out through clenched teeth, and she glared at Hendrix as if she wanted to rush forward and bite a piece of flesh off him. But she didn't. She just gritted her teeth and gripped her book tightly.

"You're nothing but a big, fat liar! You

told me you'd find Mommy! But

where is she now? Where is she? know you're all lying to me! Saying she's busy and that she'll be back soon it's all lies! I hate you! don't want you! I want my mommy! I only want my mommy!"

As she spoke, Rosie threw the book in her hand at him.

Hendrix didn't say anything. He simply walked over and gently held her hands.

Then, he knelt down and looked into her eyes.

Rosie stared back at him, her anger

slowly

ang into calm. Then, she

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à a hoarse voice, "I'm never to see Mommy again, am I?"