The Cherished Wife

"But the way you treat Nancy..."

"Look, how I treat my Aunt Nancy is my choice. She's my uncle's wife, and she practically raised me. I see nothing wrong about being good to her now. Don't forget you were the one who walked away from me when I was little, Mom. So, don't expect too much now. No matter what, you're still my mother in the Hoffman family records, and that's not changing."

"Charles!" A shiver ran down Clarisse's spine at his words. She was terrified that he might say something even more cutting.

"Mom, if there's nothing else, I've got work to do. I can't stay on the phone."

"Charles!" Clarisse caught him just in time. "After all these years, can't you find it in your heart to forgive me? I'm back and trying to make things right now. I am your mother, Charles. Everything I've done has been for you. Can't you forgive me? Please let me..." "Mom, what are you trying to say?"

room when Charles gestured for her to hold off on speaking. "If it's not urgent, can it wait until

second uncle and aunt can visit you, and I want to see you as well. You've always said I left you behind, so I'm trying to make it right now. However, you've got to give me a chance, don't you? You're so kind

Hoffman family's old

the call, his expression rigid

do next. She really wanted to bolt out of there. That was the first time she had heard

curious about Charles's family dynamics, but she was not one to snoop. Realizing she had stumbled

slightly. "Didn't you

quickly regained