The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Chapter 782

Noelle had expected Irene to be furious. After all, Irene had never had a good

impression of Hendrix to begin with. And after Noelle ran off to find him last night, she'd assumed the resentment would only deepen.

But to her surprise, it didn't happen like that.

Irene simply stood there, her eyes flickering between the two of them before uttering, "Let's eat."

The words were so light and calm that Noelle froze. For a moment, she couldn't even process it.

Hendrix, however, tightened his grip on her hand and replied smoothly, "Thank you."

Irene said nothing else. She just turned and walked inside.

The small dining table, usually set for two, now had an extra seat for Hendrix.

His injured hand hadn't fully healed yet, but he'd already mastered eating with his left. The only problem was the table was too cramped for his long legs, leaving him awkwardly squeezed in. But instead of complaining, he just ate in silence.

of minestrone soup. The gesture

this," Irene

brow, glancing

leave after this

immediately changed.

know I'm not your mom." Irene turned away from

hand. She wanted to say

it was true-she wasn't

meant for the real Nelly. So now, she had neither the right nor the identity to

simply withdrew her

Hendrix said, "Although, Noelle isn't your real daughter, I'm truly grateful that you saved her. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been

as if you were our own mother. Or if there's anything else you need-name it, and I'll make it

no need," Irene replied. "I lack nothing, and I want

deeper. She wanted to say something, but

he hadn't had the chance,