The Sway and Slide of Love

"Noelle."

When the voice came from behind, Noelle paused and turned around to see a woman walking up to her.

The woman was wearing a loose dress, and her face had filled out compared to before.

"It really is you! I thought I had mistaken someone else for you," the woman said with a smile.noveldrama

But Noelle had never been close to her, so she simply said calmly, "Ms. Upton, it's been a while."

"Yes, indeed." As she spoke, Ruth swept her gaze over Noelle. "I heard you were back, but I haven't seen you at any events. So, I thought it was just a rumor."

Noelle didn't know how to respond, so she simply looked at her.

"So in the end, Hendrix still chose you, huh? Who would've thought? Back then, everyone assumed he was forced into marrying you, but I guess he actually developed feelings for you, after all."

"Is there something you need, Ms. Upton?" Noelle had no interest in discussing the past, and they had no shared history to reminisce about, so she cut straight to the point.

Ruth's voice trailed off.

Just then, someone from the kindergarten came out and hurriedly made her way toward Noelle. "Sorry to keep you waiting, ma'am. Please come this way."

"Thank you." Noelle nodded at her, then looked back at Ruth with an expression that seemed to ask what she really wanted.

Ruth glanced at the kindergarten entrance, then at the respectful staff member beside Noelle before forcing a smile. "It's nothing. I just thought I'd come to say hello when I saw you."

"Alright, then. Goodbye," Noelle said, then turned and walked away.

Ruth remained standing where she was as she watched Noelle leave, the smile slowly fading from her face.

After some time, her phone rang, reminding her that she still had things to do. Thus, she quickly got into her car.

The gathering today was organized by Adela Glenn from Westport. Everyone attending was someone of status.

On the contrary, not only was Ruth, but both her family and her husband had become increasingly irrelevant in these circles, too. Thus, even. though she was present, no one paid her any attention. All she could do was force a polite smile and take a seat at the farthest edge of the group.

The women were discussing an upcoming auction in Coopersville. The catalog had already been released, and while most items weren't particularly noteworthy there was one piece of jewelry that

caught everyone's attention.

It was said to have belonged to a foreign royal family, and even from the pictures,

its value was evident. The group was now discussing that very piece.

Unable to join the conversation, Ruth

could only sit awkwardly on the sidelines. She actually came to discuss something with Adela today. But Adela was surrounded by other

women, leaving no room for Ruth to

interject.

It wasn't until the end, when someone suggested taking a group photo, that Ruth

finally managed to squeeze next to Adela.

"Hello, Mrs. Armstrong. I'm Ruth Upton. I'm not sure if you remember me?"

Even though Adela had no impression of Ruth, she still smiled politely anyway.

"Oh, it's you. Of course, I remember."

"That's great!" Ruth said excitedly. "I actually wanted to talk to you about

something. My husband spoke to Mr. Armstrong last time about—"

"I'm sorry, but I don't get involved in my husband's dealings. That's all men's talk," Adela immediately cut her off.