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?"

had just knocked and stepped into the room when Charles gestured for her to hold off on speaking. "If it's not urgent, can it wait

anything. Your 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,

a second thought. "Second uncle and aunt are just looking for a change of scenery to help with her health. As for you, the Hoffman family's old house has plenty of room. If you're

his

do next. She really wanted to bolt out of there. That was the first

to snoop. Realizing she had stumbled onto such a big secret, she broke out in

creased slightly. "Didn't you have something

regained