The Cherished Wife

Charles gave a sly grin and wrapped Noelle in a warm hug. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Noelle arched an eyebrow, half-teasing and half-serious. "You're playing the mystery card with me now?" She did not push for more information, though.

She figured Charles had the whole game mapped out in his head, down to the nitty-gritty details he had probably seen coming a mile away.

"You're okay with laying low here for a bit, right?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

"I get it," Noelle said as she turned and hugged Charles around the middle. "You've told me like a million times. You might not be sick of it, but I sure am!" She nuzzled her head against his chest, her eyes narrowing into a contented squint. Charles cradled her head, finding a comfy spot for her to rest on. "Feeling sleepy? Wanna head to bed?"

Noelle shook her head. "Let's catch the end of the show. It's almost over."

not help but feel a bit defeated, but he went along with Noelle's wish. Ironically, not long after declaring she

mix of helplessness and affection, and then gently

changed her into her pajamas and slipped her under the covers, lying beside her until the bed felt cozy. Once it

and perked up the moment he got the call. "Mr.

"How's it looking?"

everything's going as you predicted. Jade's nearly done digging up the dirt on the Bakers. She's got

some strings, Jade would never have been able to snag such a high-profile detective, let alone dig up dirt on the Baker family's deepest secrets.

to the

the part of the second lead." Charles's fingers tapped against the doorframe as his piercing eyes, through the window, locked onto

morning. But I have to