The Cherished Wife

Clarisse had bought into the story once upon a time too. However, after keeping a close eye on Charles lately, something in her gut told her that someone else must have been the real villain who hurt Janet back then.

"He's your son, so of course you're on his side. But don't you forget, you're part of the Baker family too. Have you forgotten how the Hoffmans treated you? It was the Bakers who took you in when you hit rock bottom while they didn't help you at all. That's just the truth!" "I get it, okay? You don't have to keep telling me!" Clarisse was on the verge of tears as she cut off Milo. "Milo, I don't need you to keep bringing up the past and reopening old wounds like this!"

Clarisse was tangled up in a mess with Mateo and Henry, and it hurt in ways she could not put into words. She could not look back at the past anymore. "Look, if you want the Hoffmans and the Bakers to maintain a good relationship, forget about Janet and Charles tying the knot. I know Charles is my son, but if you don't drop it, Charles might do something wild that nobody will be able to predict."

"Aunt, what are you talking about?" The door to Clarisse's room flew open, and Janet glided in like a ghost, her eyes shooting daggers at Clarisse. "Aunt, what did you just say? What's that supposed to mean?"

"I..."

surprise entrance that she dropped her phone. "Janet, hear me out. There's a ton of great guys out there. Why

before about looking out for me and helping me get with

marry you. If you don't stop this, Charles might end up

on, we can take them. The Bakers aren't scared of the Hoffmans!" Janet's voice was edged with hysteria.

of fury, not hearing a word Clarisse said. She shoved Clarisse aside and bolted into her room, slamming the door behind her. Her head thudded against the wall as she chanted

floor by Janet's outburst, struggled to her feet. Concern for Janet made her ignore the pain as she hobbled out of the room. Seeing Janet's door shut tight, she pounded on it desperately. "Janet, open up! Please,