The Sway and Slide of Love

"Look at what they did to my son! My son was perfectly fine, and now he's lying innoveldrama

a hospital bed! I'll make sure that bastard rots in jail forever!"

Joanne's shrill voice pierced through the door.

Noelle sat on a chair, clutching a cup of hot water. Beside her sat Irene, her face dark with fury.

The yelling outside continued, "Nelly is nothing but a slut! I knew from the start she was no good! Just look at that face. Who wouldn't she try to seduce? Sid isn't that kind of person! She must've failed to seduce him and then conspired with her lover to frame my son!"

Irene couldn't take it anymore. She flung the door open, and the shouting stopped instantly.

It was no surprise that Joanne would be scared of Irene since the old woman was holding a hoe in her hand.

"Get lost," Irene said simply.

Joanne paled but stood her ground.

Seeing this, Irene was just about to charge forward with her hoe when Joanne panicked and quickly turned to leave.

But the onlookers lingered nearby, watching the commotion.

Without hesitation, Irene grabbed a nearby basin of water and flung it at them. "Scram, all of you!"

"Hey! What's your problem?"

"Yeah! You don't own this street!"

They cursed under their breath, but Irene's expression was so terrifying-like she was ready to fight-that they had no choice but to scatter.

Irene slammed the door shut with a bang. When she turned around, she found Noelle already moving toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" Irene quickly tried to stop her.

"The police station," Noelle answered softly.

Irene frowned. "Why?"

"He's still there. I have to "

"And what can you do?" Irene gripped her arm tightly. "This has nothing to do with you. You-"

"Mom, he beat up Sid because of me," Noelle interjected.

The words made Irene freeze. Then, she slowly loosened her grip.

"I know, of course I know. But what good will going there do? Do you even realize how much those people will tear you apart with their words?" Irene's eyes reddened, and she struck her own chest hard. "I've lived my whole life for you. It'll kill me if anything happens to you?"

"I don't care about that," Noelle told her. "Let them say whatever they want."

After saying that, Noelle turned to leave. But Irene quickly grabbed her hand again.

"Mom, what are you doing? Let go of me!"

As Irene pulled her backward, Noelle

immediately sensed that somethin Wrong and began to struggle. "Mom, let go! You-"

Before she could finish speaking, Irene had already shoved her into the room. Then, she shut the door.

Noelle stood there for a moment, momentarily stunned, before snapping back to her senses. She pounded on the door.

"Mom, what are you doing? Open the door!"

Irene stood just outside, but she acted as if she couldn't hear a thing.

Noelle shoved against the door with all her strength, but it didn't even budge. Then, a thought suddenly struck her. She turned sharply toward the window behind her.

The noise inside the room abruptly stopped.

Thinking it weird, Irene knocked on the door. "Nelly?"