The Cherished Wife

Janet's voice was dripping with sweetness, the kind that could melt a guy's resolve. Even Noelle, tucked away in her hiding spot, shuddered, feeling her skin crawl under her thick clothes.

Noelle's throat felt dry as she debated: should she slip away now to find Arya, or should she boldly step out and claim her ground?

As she mulled it over, Noelle's ears caught the icy edge in Charles's voice. "Call my mom yourself and ask her to send a car for you!"

A wave of relief washed over Noelle. She had been secretly dreading Charles might offer to escort Janet. For some reason, Noelle just could not warm up to Janet-maybe it was that lunchtime drama in the dining area that soured her mood.

Noelle admitted to herself that she was not one to hold grudges or blur the lines between right and wrong, but she could not shake off the unease sitting heavy in her chest-and she was not about to lie to herself about it.

"Charles, how could you? I'm your sister, for crying out loud, and the Hoffmans' honored guest right now. You can't just brush me off like that!"

but if you're looking to get something from me, you're going to end up disappointed. You'd

Charles put Janet in her place. Whatever Janet was hoping for with Charles,

over, her phone buzzed with a

cut through the air, her

phone and peeked at the screen. It was a message

her lip, Noelle texted back, "I'm in the parking lot, but how do I

Janet's. Janet, mistaking this for a sign

find it locked. "Charles, open

voice came through, softer

of joy spread across Janet's