The Cherished Wife

Chapter 61

The more Noelle thought about last night–how Julian had drugged her and Xavier had been in on it–the more she felt sick to her stomach, as if she had swallowed a fly. It was disgusting.

Even with Xavier and Winter together, she had not thought about getting back at them. However, they seemed obsessed with tearing her down, even willing to trade her to a guy like Simon for cash.

Noelle could not bear to think about what might have happened if Simon had… or if Charles had not shown up just in time to get her out of there. What then?

It was her Grandpa’s birthday party, with the Shaw family hosting a ton of high–society types. If anyone had caught her in a room with a guy doing who–knows–what, she would have kissed her reputation and her whole life goodbye.

What was Xavier even trying to say? Was he actually worried about himself? Could he be?

“Noelle, please open the door and hear me out. I honestly have no clue what went down yesterday. Winter told me you were gone, and that your old room’s door was locked. I was worried about you, so I…”

the real story. Don’t bother with

“Just go.

so cold? You’re all prickly like a hedgehog. We’re only trying to help you.

at Xavier’s plea, “Never hurt me? Haven’t you done enough already? Xavier, please just go, will you? The sight of you, no…

at the door, banging away with determination as if he would never leave if she did not open up. “Noelle, think about the neighbors. You don’t want to

being with Winter, but

nowhere to be heard. “Come on, spill it. Are you seeing someone else? I just caught you stepping out of some flashy car downstairs. Noelle, were you with

“Cut it out!”