The Cherished Wife

Upon hearing Charles' reassurance, Noelle finally let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. I thought..."

She smiled, then urged, "Go change your clothes. Aren't you worried about catching a cold?"

...

Meanwhile, Chloe had pressed the button to end the call, but her mind remained unsettled. The fact that Charles had already gotten married was hard for her to accept, especially since his wife was woman who looked exactly like Kelly.

This left Chloe in disbelief. She had always believed that Charles harbored no romantic feelings for Kelly-or perhaps he had, but it was in the past. Now, however, she was not so sure.

"What's going on?" Jordy asked, noticing the shocked expression on Chloe's face. "I just heard you mention something about Charlie being married, the Hoffmans, and Kelly. What's all this about?" Chloe rubbed her temples in frustration. "It's nothing!" Her mind was a mess.

words were not up for negotiation-they had been a warning. His marriage was not something he had told her to get

with the Hoffmans or the Bakers and be in opposition. For Chloe, none of those choices seemed easy. Charles was serious this

gradually faded into a bleak ending, something that had not happened

...

back at the Hoffman residence, the quiet night was suddenly shattered by a piercing

she heard the scream,

she called out while

a photograph in one hand and a fruit knife in the other,

under her breath, "You wretched woman, you

was terrified as she heard the sounds coming from inside the room. She pounded on the door

Seeing Clarisse in such a state, he furrowed his brows