The Cherished Wife

Noelle was nestled in the backseat of the car, her heart still racing from the night's chaos. She had scooted her seat back to match Charles', while Sean had taken on the role of chauffeur. Sean caught Noelle's silence, shot a look at Charles, and raised an eyebrow.

"Noelle, why so quiet?"

She let out a sigh, her thoughts snapping back into the car. "I just don't know what to say."

"Tired?" Charles reached over and took Noelle's hand in his, gently squeezing it. "Your hand feels like ice," he said, his brow creasing with worry. Sean, can we turn up the heat in here?"

He turned back to Noelle, his voice tinged with concern. "Didn't you think to bring a jacket before heading out? It's not the dead of winter, but the nights are still chilly."

Noelle laughed softly, feeling the warmth from Charles's grip. "I'm tougher than I look," she assured him, but her smile faded as the night's events replayed in her mind. "You know Winter's friend, Suzy? Today, she was..." The words got stuck in her throat as Suzy's face invaded her thoughts, unbidden and haunting.

grew firmer. "Don't be scared. Whatever happened, it isn't your

"I know. But how did you...? Do you know what happened

no idea how long Charles and I waited for you downstairs, keeping tabs on your every movement!" Sean glanced in the rearview mirror at their intertwined fingers and raised an eyebrow. "We would've come up

worried about you, so I had a few

were short and sweet, but they filled Noelle with warmth. Even though he was not physically by her side at that time, his care was like a constant embrace. No wonder she felt like some

her body, and she playfully scratched Charles's hand

"Thanks, Charles!"

wife. There's no need for thanks!" Charles gently patted her head, making

Noelle hummed contentedly.

PDA? Some of us are single