The Cherished Wife

When Charles returned, he had already tamped down the anger and frustration he carried from earlier, but Noelle could still sense the lingering heaviness in his demeanor. She was chatting with Nancy, sharing amusing stories and anecdotes from her school days about friends she had known.

Nancy seemed to grow even fonder of Noelle with every conversation and asked more about her life. She clearly appreciated Noelle's personality.

Noticing Charles quietly entering the room, Nancy smiled. "You're back already?"

Noelle looked up, her eyes curving into crescents with a bright smile. "Charlie, you're home?"

"Yeah," Charles answered. At the sight of Noelle's cheerful expression, the weight on his shoulders seemed to lift entirely. The harshness he carried melted away.

He returned her smile. "What were you two talking about? You seem to be having a good time."

"We were talking about you!" Noelle grinned, standing to take his coat and fetch him a pair of slippers. "Did everything get sorted out?"

ruffling Noelle's hair. "What were you saying about

Aunt Nancy didn't say a single bad word about you. She was just singing your praises

chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "Have you figured

proudly, tugging Charles toward

just waiting for you

you doing? Behave yourself! Stay here with Aunt Nancy for a bit. I'll go put your things away and get

a chuckle before watching her scamper up the stairs. As her footsteps faded, his smile dimmed, and he turned his

doesn't he?"

"Of course, nothing escapes

her head slowly. "So,

could already predict

else in life. His strictness extended not only to Mateo and