The Cherished Wife

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Noelle nodded, then hesitated and shook her head, which made Charles’s eyes twinkle with amusement. Well, what’s on your mind?”

Noelle fidgeted. “The friend I met today is called Rowena.”

Charles took the history book from Noelle. He was a bit surprised by her nervousness, and his fingers stopped for a second. He looked at her and grinned. “She must be a really good friend!”

Noelle nodded again. “We went to college together, but she moved to Afron for some stuff a few years back.” Noelle paused for a moment. “She just got back. We haven’t seen each other in so long, so…”

Charles nodded, showing he understood. “Why didn’t you guys talk more?”

“Wasn’t I supposed to bring you dinner? Uh, have you eaten yet?”

Charles paused, his long fingers wrapped around the book. He pressed his lips together and was quiet for a while.

Noelle saw his look, and her brow furrowed. “You didn’t eat, did you?”

Charles gave a small nod. “I’m not hungry.”

you not be hungry?” Noelle scolded Charles with a mix of worry and annoyance. “You’ve got to take care of yourself. When I was little, I was super picky and skipped a lot of meals. I almost ended up with a stomach problem

talked, Noelle grabbed the book from Charles’s hands and put it back on the shelf. “Didn’t you say you

voice was usually too loud for the quiet Five Elements Residence, but today it made

hide a smile. “It’s not a big

food I packed for you is in the fridge. I’ll warm it up,” she insisted, heading downstairs. Charles caught her wrist to

to him, confused.

It’s too much trouble,” he said. Skipping one meal was not the

at all. Just

Noelle walk away, feeling a warm glow in

The Hoffman family!

forgotten about not eating until

his stomach gently, and the

and pieces left over. Thus, she ordered a few extra dishes. By the time she was heading back,

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