The Sway and Slide of Love

Hendrix slipped his hand effortlessly under her clothes, tracing up along Noelle's waist, inch by inch. He was more than familiar with this motion by now. After all, he had done this countless times in the past.

He knew Noelle's body better than she did herself. But in the heat of the moment, he forgot one crucial thing-Noelle had lost her memories.

She hadn't shown any resistance toward him, but that was only because she still had some lingering feelings for him. Some habits of hers-almost like subconscious reactions-remained. But those habits clearly didn't include being intimate with him right now.

When Hendrix touched a certain spot, Noelle reacted like a startled cat-her eyes flew wide open. The next second, she shoved him away. And as a bonus, she slapped him across the face. Now that was her true instinctive reaction.

Her slap wasn't particularly strong, but the crisp sound rang out loud and clear- especially in the silence of the hospital room.

Hendrix, however, didn't react. There was no anger in his gaze, no frustration. If anything, he looked like he hadn't had enough.

Noelle, on the other hand, immediately clutched her clothes tightly.

It took her a moment to find her voice. "H-How could you do that?"

As she spoke, her eyes seemed to turn red.

Hendrix hadn't expected such a strong reaction from her. He froze for a second before quickly reaching for her hand.

But Noelle, terrified he might try something again, immediately backed away several steps.

Hendrix paused, then smiled. "Don't worry. I won't do anything to you again."

Noelle didn't respond, but the look in her eyes made it clear she didn't believe him.

"Really, I won't," Hendrix assured her. "I didn't mean to do that just now. It was just a habit."

Noelle had been looking at him, but as his words sank in, her expression slowly faded. Then, she lowered her eyes.

Seeing her stand still, Hendrix reached out to grab her hand. But Noelle immediately backed away again.

het

Hendrix thought she was just shy and was about to say something when Noelle walked past him and began packing up the thermal lunchbox on the table.

"What are you doing?" Hendrix tried to stop her, but Noelle quickly avoided his hand.

"I have to go," she said, and she didn't give Hendrix a chance to respond.

After dropping those words, she walked straight out of the door.

Hendrix wanted to chase after her, but the doctor happened to walk in at that moment.

"Um, Mr. Freeman, it's time to change the dressing on your arm," the doctor said.

In that brief moment, Noelle had already disappeared. Hendrix could only sit back down, frowning as he looked at the doctor.

The sudden coldness in his eyes

made the doctor shiver. Then, he

chuckled awkwardly, "Mr. Freeman, Inoveldrama

didn't mean to interrupt. It's just that intmeal

the dressing on your arm really needs to be changed, or it'll harden."

Hendrix didn't respond. After staring at the door for a while, he suddenly turned to the doctor and asked, "When can I be discharged