The Sway and Slide of Love

"Oh, how could I ever blame you?" Matilda instantly felt sarry when she saw Sandra's pitiful demeanor. She pulled Sandra closer. "Why did you make such a silly move? Thank goodness you've only hurt your arm. What if you hurt and scar your face?"

Sandra shook her head forlornly. "I couldn't think of a better idea. Anything was better than having Noelle and Ruth fight..."

Something crossed Matilda's mind when she heard Sandra's words. She glared at Noelle. "Look at what you've done! You're older than Sandy, but she has to help you out! Don't you feel ashamed?""

"I don't need her help."

Matilda's face fell at Noelle's reply. "What did you say? What length would you go to if Sandy hadn't held you back? Do you know you were fighting in public? You'll be a disgrace to the family if those clips of the fight make it to the Internet! What would the Freemans think of you?"

Noelle stayed quiet, yet the look in her eyes suggested indifference.

Noting her nonchalance, Matilda started shaking in anger. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you indignant? Get out right now and get onto your knees!"

Noelle did not budge at all.

Sandra was quick to intervene. "Mom, don't be mad. I'm sure Noelle didn't want that to happen. Why don't you"

"Stay out of this," Matilda cut Sandra off while glaring at Noelle. "Do I really have no power over you? Do you have no regard for me anymore? I knew it! We shouldn't have brought you home!"

A heavy silence hung in the air of the greenhouse when Matilda blurted out her inner thoughts. She instantly knew she had messed up-either she was being too harsh, or she had accidentally let slip her deepest thoughts.

The slip-up put her at a loss.noveldrama

On the contrary, Noelle calmly left the greenhouse without another word.

"You" Matilda was about to speak when she went speechless and frowned at the sight of Noelle getting onto her knees in the center of the living room.

Sandra chimed in quickly, "Mom, let's not make Noelle kneel. She's-"

"You don't have to speak up for Noelle," Matilda shot back "She must have lived such a comfortable life to act with such arrogance! Unlike you, she grew up in the countryside. She has no manners and knows no rules. That's why I need to constantly discipline her!"

This time, Sandra had no words. After a short silence, she massaged Matilda's shoulders. "Mom, calm down, alright? The doctor says you should not be angry because of your high blood pressure." Matilda patted the back of Sandra's hand with a smile. "I got it."

Sandra returned the smile. After assuaging Matilda, she headed over to Noelle's side. Blinking, she said, "Noelle, you don't have to do this. Why couldn't you admit you were wrong? She'll always side with you because you're her daughter."

However, Noelle refused to answer or even look at Sandra.

Sandra remained unfazed. Scanning the living room, she crouched to Noelle's level and whispered, "Noelle, I would have killed myself out of shame if I were you. By the way, you're curious about Hendrix's location on the

day you lost your baby, aren't you?

"I'll let you in. He was at an auction in Leverton. Remember that necklace I received on my birthday? He won the bid for that necklace there."

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