The Cherished Wife

Charles gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. Janet's words had hit him like a punch, and he was seething.

Noelle gently took his clenched hand, her touch soothing. It was like magic. The storm inside him quieted. He was like a raging lion, teetering on the brink of an outburst, but she managed to reel him back in. Charles glanced at Noelle, her worried eyes locked on him. He sighed. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" Noelle's voice was calm, and she gave a small laugh. "You shouldn't be mad either."

"I was afraid you'd be bothered by her!" He was genuinely concerned that Janet's claims would unsettle Noelle.

Noelle quirked an eyebrow. "What do you take me for? Why would I be bothered? You're mine now. She's the one who should be worried."

I should be thanking Janet. Who knew you cared about me

mean you haven't noticed everything I've

it, nothing else mattered. He had not worried about that stuff before because she had not been in his life. However, now that she was, he could not just stand by and let things spiral out of control.

You're the one who's pressed," Noelle said, giving Charles a look that mixed sympathy with concern. Janet was a piece of work. Noelle had not met her face-to-face, but from the little she had seen,

head. Her obsession with Charles was off the charts. No matte how obvious Charles was about not being interested, Janet just did not get

Clarisse, Charles's mom. No matter how tough Charles talked, he

played favorites and that Winter had it out for her, but she still had to

me, just do what you've got to do. I know this mess has

with a playful grin.