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

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

shoulder. "Have you figured out what we're having for

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

just waiting for you to get home so I could start cooking." "Really? You've been so good," Charles said with a warm smile. He reached out to pinch her nose, but Noelle

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

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

he?" Nancy

a slight nod. "Of course, nothing

head slowly.

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

not only to Mateo