The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Chapter 44 Chapter 44

Noelle's relationship with Matilda was detached, but it was worse with Craig. It was so distant that calling it" distant" didn't even seem enough.

As the head of the family and chairman of the company, Craig naturally carried his work habits into his personal life-authoritative, commanding, and never to be questioned.

If Matilda made Noelle feel like she was endlessly favoring Sandra, Craig made her feel nothing at all— just cold indifference.

He was rarely home, and in Noelle's memories, he had never once fulfilled his role as a father. But what

he did do was maintain the authority of "the head of the family", and no one was allowed to challenge it. Despite having been back for years, this was Noelle's first time eating alone with him.

When she arrived, he was already waiting in the private room. He was looking at his wrist impatiently to check the time.

"Sorry that I'm late," Noelle said.

angry. He just gave her a brief glance and then gestured

to the other settings on the table-including hers and Craig's,

us soon," Craig remarked, noticing her

mind quickly raced, and her voice

your mother tell you? That's even better. Mr. Hawthorne has some free time these days, so you and

Noelle interrupted firmly. "I'm here today to make something clear-please stop interfering in my life. I have

suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Noelle, the

sever ties with the Swanson family just because you want to? Don't kid yourself into thinking paying those medical

transferred to another hospital. And I can guarantee you, there won't be another hospital in all of Coppersville willing to take

A weakness-everyone had one.

any

that her own father would use her weakness as leverage against her one day. Her hands clenched involuntarily, and she ground her teeth

and behave," Craig said. "Besides, it's just a meal. You're divorced. The man

keep setting me up with

Chapter 44