The Cherished Wife

Chapter 40

“Interesting….you…” As Simon turned his back, Noelle seized a vase and hurled it at his head with all her might. The vase crashed against his forehead, and as He slumped to the ground, his eyes locked on

Noelle’s. “How dare…”

Noelle had given it her all, and now she was totally wiped out, slumping to the floor in a heap. Outside, Winter’s voice mixed with the others, worried because they could not find Noelle. They were outside the only locked room in the house, talking about busting the door down. Noelle’s heart sank. She thought she was a goner for sure.

Then, like a shadow slipping through the night, Charles appeared out of nowhere. His face, all sharp angles and soft skin, came into view as she looked up. She bit her lip so hard it turned a deep, enchanting red. Desperate, she grabbed onto Charles’s pants and pleaded, “Charles, save me!”

Charles narrowed his eyes, a fierce look flickering across his face as he took in Noelle’s flushed cheeks and the figure on the floor. A flash of anger sparked in his dark eyes. He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over Noelle. “Put this on!” he commanded.

Noelle’s hands were shaking as she pulled the jacket tighter around her. The crisp, clean scent of Charles calmed her nerves. “What now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The pounding on the door was getting louder, and someone was threatening to break in. They were trapped on the second floor with nowhere to hide. Noelle felt a wave of heat and cold crash over her, the feeling so strong she could barely stand it. She bit her lip hard again.

into his arms. “Don’t worry.

drum, finally slowed down. She clung to Charles’s arms tightly, as if she feared he would slip away

scooped Noelle up and whisked her into the bathroom. No sooner had they disappeared than the door to the

fear as she latched onto Xavier’s arms.

darted around the room,

said Noelle was in here, drugged and unable to run

the floor too and hurried over to check.

he doing here? And where’s Noelle? What are we going to do, Xavier?” She gripped Xavier’s hand, her voice tinged with panic. “Why