The Cherished Wife

"Don't sell yourself short, Aunt. You raised me like a mother would. Hey, Uncle's not back yet, and I don't want anyone giving you a hard time. Stay in your room for a bit if you can, okay?"

"Alright, dear. I'm tired, so I'll have a rest," Nancy replied, understanding Charles's concern. She had raised him, after all, so she knew his warm heart well. "Don't worry about Noelle. She's fine in the car, but don't keep her waiting too long." With a tender smile and a glint of affection in his eyes, Charles said, "I'll head back, then. Drop by when you can, Aunt. Noelle and I always enjoy your company."

Stepping out of Nancy's room, Charles ran straight into Clarisse and Janet. Clarisse's earlier irritation with Charles had simmered down. She had bigger fish to fry with Nancy later. Right now, she needed to make sure Charles stuck around.

Clarisse fidgeted, her hands twisting together as she looked at Charles with hopeful eyes. "Hey, Charles. Now that you're back, how about sticking around for dinner or even spending the night? We've got rooms to spare, and your old room's been kept spotless just for you!"

his voice sharp and distant. "I can't. I've got stuff

past her, heading for the stairs. Clarisse stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing, until she finally snapped out of it and dashed after him. "Charles, what's so important that you can't even stay for dinner? It's late, and I checked with Janet your office is closed for the next couple of days. You're not fooling me. Are you really that eager

flared, and she blurted out, "Hold it right there, mister! How can

it because of that

be so heartless? Her own kids can't stand her, so she's trying to sink her claws into you. She's already snatched a man from someone else, and now she's after my

their tracks. "Mom, you're supposed to be this classy lady, but you're just trash. You think you can just say whatever you want? Whether I stick around or not nothing to do with Aunt. I'm leaving because I can't stand the sight of I you or your darling niece if you had any sense, you'd pack up and leave the Hoffmans and Brookville altogether.