The Cherished Wife

"Nelly, love doesn't always last forever," Charles said, his voice heavy with the weight of reality. Clearly, he meant that this was someone else's drama, and even though Tania was his sister, there was not much he could do. It was up to those involved to figure it out. Noelle got it and held onto Charles's hand as if it were her lifeline. "Charles, swear to me that no matter what goes down in the future, you won't ever leave me hanging." The fear of being betrayed was still ever-real for her. Once was enough for a lifetime. She knew she

could not handle going through that again.

"I'll never let you go, unless you let me go first," Charles said, gripping Noelle's hand firmly. "Promises might not always hold up, but I intend to keep all of mine to you. No exceptions."

Noelle nodded, her eyes shining. "I love you, Charles!"

"I love you too!" He kissed her gently on the forehead, smoothing away the tiny wrinkle there with his thumb. "Anything else on your mind?"

She nodded again. "Liliana."

shadow passed over Charles's face, and his grip on her hand grew tighter. "She's the other sister I mentioned before, the one from the Hoffman family

a weary sigh. "She doesn't really fit in with the Hoffman family, and she's not right for Sean either." Noelle bit her lip. "So, she and Sean split

shaking his head. "There was no mix-up. They just weren't

then? Where did she go? Did

in on

you do!" Charles said as he ushered Noelle towards the changing room. "I've got a private dressing area here. I had Ronald give the staff a heads-up