The Cherished Wife

This was the Hoffman residence, their territory. It was a place where even she had to show some restraint and caution.

To see Janet throwing tantrums here again and again was beyond Clarisse's patience. "Can you control your temper?" Clarisse approached, glancing at the shattered antique vase on the floor with frustration. "What did I tell you back in Capiton? You promised to behave, didn't you?"

"Aunt Clary, I..." Janet's fury vanished instantly. She now looked at Clarisse with teary eyes, appearing almost pitiful. "It's because of that woman, Winter. How dare she provoke me? Who does she think she is, treating me like this? Aunt Clary, Winter is shameless, but Charles is mine."

"Enough!" Clarisse massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "What exactly did Winter say to you? Did she call you?

"How could she have even gotten your number? Are you telling me she just decided to call and confront you out of nowhere?"

could Charles prefer a married woman over me? I

"I've told you countless times.

her off sharply. "Listen to me. Next time, don't throw a tantrum here in the Hoffman residence if you still want to marry Charles!" Suddenly, Clarisse felt a pang of regret for ever pushing for this marriage between

not know, but Clarisse was fully aware of Janet's nature. Though she had not yet exhibited the violent tendencies that her mother once

more time Janet spent in Brookville and at the Hoffman residence, the more she regressed to her old ways

off the floor.

was frantic and sharp. "I'm not sick! I'm not sick! I don't want to take any medicine. I don't have a mental illness. I'm