The Sway and Slide of Love

Hendrix frowned at the sound. When he looked up, the man casually removed the baseball cap from his head.

Everyone in the room was stunned. Because the man's features were almost identical to Hendrix's.

But years of exposure to the elements and life's hardships had left his skin rough and tanned, his voice hoarse and unpleasant.

While everyone else was staring at Nathan's face, Hendrix's gaze slowly drifted downward to his feet. As if knowing what Hendrix was thinking, Nathan smiled and pulled up his pant legs. There, attached to his knees, were prosthetic legs.

Realization finally dawned on Hendrix. "So, you're not dead, after all," he said softly.

Nathan continued to smile. "Yeah, I'm not dead. Are you disappointed?"

Hendrix didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at the man still pinned under his foot. "Is he the one you've been working with? Probably not, right? You don't seem to recognize him, either."

Then, he turned his attention back to Nathan. "And you should still be abroad when this all started. For you to have completed surgery and appear here, someone must have helped you. Let me guess-could it be Dylan?"

Nathan simply laughed.

Hendrix nodded. "Looks like it really is him. But his business is just starting to recover-there's no way he would do anything reckless. So, it's only fitting he would use you as a pawn. After all, you really do want me dead, don't you?"

When Hendrix finished speaking, Nathan clapped slowly.

"It's been years, Hendrix, but you're just as sharp as ever. Honestly, I was ready to give up. I mean, what's the point of living when I've already lost my legs? But the thought of me dying while you go on living happily just didn't sit right with me.

"Fortunately, fate has been kind to me. In the end, it brought me back. Look around you this place isn't so bad, is it? So, why don't we end it together right here? What do you think?"

After Nathan finished speaking, Hendrix turned to the others, who were still in shock.

"Did you all hear that? You've been used by him. Aren't you going to stop him?"

Hearing this, the others immediately snapped out of their daze and moved to restrain Nathan.

But Nathan just swept his gaze across them. "Do you really think you can change anything now? The police are already at the door. What you've done today is kidnapping and extortion. And let me tell you Hendrix isn't some kindhearted

saint. I'm his brother, and even I wasn't spared.

"So, do you think he'll spare you? But don't worry. I won't make things difficult for you. All I want is Hendrix dead. Once you walk out of her, you can pin everything on me. By then, I'll be dead anyway."

As he spoke, Nathan began to walk toward Hendrix. His gait was twisted and unnatural, the result of his prosthetic legs. With his words, the tide began to turn on Hendrix.

Hendrix's gaze darkened. He pressed the knife harder down on Tony's neck, and a trickle of blood immediately welled up.

"Tony!" May cried out, and those who had been about to follow Nathan froze in place.noveldrama