The Cherished Wife

Noelle was stunned for a moment but quickly composed herself. "Hey, Steven!"

Steven gave a slight nod, acknowledging Noelle. "Hi, Noelle. Where's Charlie?"

"Charlie is inside, and Aunt Nancy is here too," Noelle smiled. She then glanced at the young girl, nodding politely. "Steven, who's this?"

"Elly, aren't you going to greet her?"

"Ms. Noelle." Eloise's voice was sweet. It was the kind that made her instantly likable, completely different from the cold, hard tone she had used the previous night.

Noelle smiled and nodded. "Hello, I'm Noelle Shaw." She then added, "Please come in!"

Noelle led Steven and Eloise inside and handed them slippers to change into. "Steven, please go inside. Elly, you too."

squinted slightly as he noticed Nancy sitting on the couch. The woman before him overlapped yet diverged from the person in his memory. "Nancy."

vaguely resembled the stubborn child she remembered. However, time had softened him

that you, Stevie?" Nancy beckoned him over. "Come here, let me take a look at you. It's been so many years, and I can't believe how

her, and took her hand. "It's been a long time. How

as well as I can be at my age." Nancy sighed, studying Steven carefully.

Charlie told me. How have you been all these

Steven showed great respect to Nancy, letting her hold his

I'd get to see you again in my lifetime. Did you come to

City? After

Nancy could not quite place her. "Stevie, is

closer look, Nancy." Steven stood up and said,