The Cherished Wife

"I'll head downstairs to rest now," said Eloise.

"Okay." Steven did not even bother to look up. Only after Eloise left did he slide his hands into his pockets, his dark eyes shining brightly in the night.

He stood by the window, gazing out at the desolate view with his brows slightly furrowed. It had been so many years since he last returned, and it seemed that much had changed, including the people.

After drinking too much alcohol that evening, Charles, though appearing to behave himself, ended up being quite a challenge for Noelle.

Both of them disliked having outsiders in their homes, so even after getting married, they maintained their habit of not having any household staff around.

Noelle usually did not mind, but tonight, taking care of a drunk Charles by herself was proving exhausting.

get Charles out of his clothes, but then came the dilemma of how to drag him to

fetch a basin and water to wipe him down instead. It was not until the latter part of the night that she finally breathed

long she had slept when she began to feel warm, noticing something on her lips and someone

propped up on one hand, leaning over her. His lips roamed freely across her face, and his

of the bed, lifting his head to look at

husky tone, like the rich warmth of aged wine. Still groggy, Noelle stared at Charles's face hovering so close to hers, her mind taking a moment to catch

opened her eyes wide, quickly pushing him away.

now that he

thing." Charles, who was fully alert, was far from feeling drowsy. Plus, tonight Noelle

her nightgown bunched up from sleep. It revealed her smooth, pale thighs, and the sight of her

had never claimed to be a gentleman, and with his wife lying before him, he could not help but feel his