The Sway and Slide of Love

"Was that what happened to Seline, too? But she was still so young!" Rosie exclaimed.

"Yes, she was very young." Noelle's voice choked with sobs as she spoke.

Rosie looked at her for a long time, then asked, "So, does that mean I'll never get to see Seline again?"

"Yes."

"Then, where are you going today, Mommy?"

"I'm going to see her off one last time."

"I want to go, too," Rosie said.

Noelle had initially wanted to refuse. She knew Marla and Marshall might not welcome them at the funeral.

Even though she understood their resentment all too well, she didn't want Rosie to have to face it. Even more than that, she didn't want Rosie to bear the blame of being the one who "caused Seline's death".

But Seline was Rosie's godmother. She had watched Rosie grow up. In many ways, she was even closer to Rosie than Noelle was.

In her final moments, she had still been protecting Rosie. If the dead could really hear the voices of the living, Seline would probably want to hear Rosie call her "Seline" one last time, right?

"You can come with me," Noelle finally said to Rosie. "But the people there might not welcome us. So, no matter what they say, don't take it to heart, okay?"

Rosie nodded.

Noelle bit her lip. "You know Seline loved you very much, right?"noveldrama

"I know."

"She would want you to be happy, so don't let their words get to you, okay?"

"Okay," Rosie answered firmly.

But Noelle had underestimated Marla's and Marshall's hatred for her and Rosie. They didn't even let them through the door. As soon as Noelle got out of the car with Rosie they were blocked.

The frail Marla soon appeared in front of them. She shouted shrilly, "How dare you

show your faces here? Get out! Take that little brat and leave!

"If it weren't for you, Seline would still be alive! Why are you even here? Did you

come here to gloat? Why couldn't it have been you who died instead?"

Noelle had actually met Marla

before. There were times when work

kept her busy on set, and Seline

would take Rosie to stay at her parents place. Back then, Marla and Marshall had doted on Rosie But now, all that remained was hatred and resentment.

Rosie didn't understand why Marla had changed so much. She was so scared that she tried to hide behind Noelle, but Marla continued, "Why are you still here? Didn't you hear me? told you to get lost right now! I never wanted to see either of you again!"

Noelle looked at her for a moment before saying softly, "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Do you think saying sorry will bring Seline back to life? If it could,

I'd say sorry, too! Hell, I'll even kneel to you! Can you give me back my daughter? Huh? Can you?"

Marla became even more worked up with each word. As she spoke, she lunged forward and grabbed Noelle by the shoulders.

The people around her tried to hold her back, but Marla only grew more hysterical, her tears never once stopping.

"She was my only daughter! I worked so hard to raise her! How could you... How could you take her from me? I want to go with her. Seline, take me with you!"