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.

clothes, but then

until the latter part of the night that she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Charles

hazy sleep in the middle of the night. She was not sure how long she had slept when she began to feel warm, noticing something on her lips and

slowly fluttering open to find Charles propped up on one hand, leaning over her. His lips roamed freely across her face, and his expression showed no hint of

both hands on either side of the bed, lifting his head to look at her. "You're

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

Charles leaned down again, she abruptly opened her eyes wide, quickly pushing him away. "Stop it! I'm

he was

alert, was far from feeling

woken up, he had seen her nightgown bunched up from sleep. It revealed her smooth, pale thighs, and the sight of her slender,

wife lying before him, he could