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?"

nodded, gently ruffling Noelle's hair. "What

Aunt Nancy didn't say a single bad word about you. She was just singing your praises about how wonderful you are. Honestly, it made

Charles chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "Have you figured out what we're having

I have!" Noelle said proudly, tugging Charles toward the

for dinner. I was just waiting for you to get home so I could start

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

scamper up the stairs. As her footsteps faded, his smile dimmed, and he turned his gaze

doesn't he?"

gave a slight nod. "Of course, nothing

her head slowly. "So, what's your

had not explained in detail, Nancy could already predict Maxwell's reaction. Maxwell had always placed the

in life. His strictness extended not only to Mateo and Henry but