The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Noelle knew she was sick. She knew Seline was no longer in this world, yet she kept hearing her voice lately.

Sometimes, Seline would talk to her as usual, chattering about the latest gossip. Other times, she would cry and ask Noelle why she didn't save her. At times, she would say she had willingly sacrificed herself and that Noelle shouldn't feel guilty.

But then there were times she would angrily call Noelle ungrateful, asking why she had to die, why it had to be her of all people?

These voices and images of Seline kept appearing in front of Noelle. They didn't even feel like hallucinations, because when Noelle reached out, she could almost

feel Seline's presence.

But Seline was already gone.

Hendrix took Noelle to see a psychologist. But Noelle refused to talk to the psychologist. She wouldn't let anyone bring up Seline's name, yet she kept telling Hendrix that she wanted to see Marla and Marshall.

She knew they resented her, but she still wanted to see them. She even felt that only if they lashed out at her would she feel a little better.

"Wait a couple of days. I'll take you to see them once the weather is better," Hendrix said.

looked at him. "You're

"I'm not."

me to see

can be sure that I'll make it happen," Hendrix said

say anything else. She just turned her head to stare

built house. From where she was sitting, she could see the green trees

clearly winter-when hadn't the leaves fallen? Or had the new year already arrived? So, how long had it been since Seline was

didn't know, nor was she willing to think about

her for a while, then reached

staff

eye on Noelle. Call me immediately if anything

The household staff nodded. But by the time she looked up, Hendrix had

to Sienna Villa, where Rosie had been staying this whole time. Beatrice cared for her just as she always had,

the swings or liked any of her dolls. Most

locked herself in

hired a psychologist for her,