The Cherished Wife

The Hoffman family's old house came alive as Janet sprinted toward Charles, only to be stopped in her tracks by his warning glare. "Didn't you notice I'm helping Aunt?"

Janet's lips tightened as she shot a glance at Nancy. Seeing Nancy's weary expression, Janet's eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance. However, with Charles there, she held back her frustration and forced a smile. "Aunt Nancy, it's been ages! How are you holding up?" "Weren't we just together yesterday?" Nancy could see right through Janet's fake concern. She knew Janet was not her biggest fan.

"Oh, Aunt Nancy, silly me and my forgetful brain! I must miss you so much that it feels like forever when you're not around," Janet said, her face not even blushing with the lie. "Let me give you a hand, Aunt Nancy!"

"No need. Charles is all the help I need," Nancy declined gently. "Charles, I can walk on my own. Maybe you should head back. Weren't you saying you had things to do?"

"Sure. So, you'll go inside on your own?"

son leave. Clarisse's joy turned to indignation. "He's not your son, so you

words. She had not meant for it to come across that way, and she understood Clarisse's reasons for being upset. Still, it was hard not to feel ashamed

stuck in the car, and she knew that Charles probably would not have come by if he

whole years. And now what? You're going to try and keep me from seeing my son?" Clarisse's words grew harsher, her tone cutting like a

mother's harsh words. "Mother, do you

confronted her. "Charles, I am your mother. How

is my Aunt Nancy, the woman who

that counts!" Charles cut her off, his patience wearing thin. "Aunt Nancy was the one who looked after