The Cherished Wife

Sean got Noelle back home without a hitch. Charles was holed up in his study, buried in work, but the distant purr of the engine had him pausing. His face set in a serious line, he shelved his work and headed downstairs.

No sooner had Sean and Noelle stepped inside than Noelle caught sight of Charles on the stairs. She rushed toward him. "Charles!"

"Yeah?" Charles shot a quick look at Noelle, and seeing her unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief before fixing his eyes on Sean. Sean quirked an eyebrow. "Done and dusted. But seriously, Charles, how'd you figure out someone was lurking outside?" "Someone?" Noelle's head shot up, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "What are you guys whispering about?"

"It's nothing!" Charles said, smoothing Noelle's hair affectionately and giving her cheek a little nudge. "You must be tired. Head on up and get some rest. I've got to chat with Sean for a bit."

"Alrighty!" Noelle agreed with a nod and started up the stairs. "I'll leave you to it, then!"

Once Noelle was out of earshot, Charles turned back to Sean. "I took a wild guess."

"You think you've got psychic powers

Charles motioned for Sean to take a seat, his hand casually tucked in his pocket, his gaze

noticed his car when I first went

she was all sunshine and rainbows, trying to play Cupid with us. She kept gushing

said something to tick her off because she nearly

darkened at the news,

it. Noelle's no pushover. Even

it's weird, right? The way Jade and the

his

the Jones all gave Noelle the cold shoulder, except for Sebastian and Samuel. It was like