The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Hendrix's words and tone immediately dragged Noelle back to the past. Countless times before, he had forced her to apologize in the same way to Sandra. And now, the same thing was happening to Rosie. She clenched her hands tightly, but she managed to keep her voice calm. "I've already apologized. What more do you want?"

"But you're the one who did wrong," Hendrix replied expressionlessly.

"I'm her mother, so what's wrong with me apologizing on her behalf?"

"Can you take responsibility for her for the rest of her life?"

"Are you lecturing me on how to be a good mother? I don't need you to teach me that!"

Sensing the growing tension between the two, the woman beside Hendrix couldn't help but have a slight change in expression. She tugged Hendrix's arm and said, "Maybe we should just let it go."

But Hendrix didn't even glance at her. He chuckled coldly and said, "I wouldn't dare lecture you. I'm just

teaching your daughter that when she does something wrong, she needs to own up to it."

Noelle stood there, then suddenly laughed. "Oh, is that so? Maybe it's because her father died early, so

no one taught her that. Don't worry. I'll make sure to teach her properly in the future."

turned to leave

in the next moment, Hendrix

you

was stunned the moment those words left his

she

go!" Noelle said through gritted

of course,

to

this, Rosie-who had been silent and nervous-suddenly

help Noelle.

On. Without thinking, she

match for Hendrix's. If Noelle couldn't break free, there was

up in the shopping cart and grabbed Hendrix's arm, ready

when

had done the same thing to him before. The

hadn't planned to stop her, but the woman beside him couldn't stand by. As Rosie was about to sink her teeth into Hendrix's