The Cherished Wife

"Charles began, "She's from a poor family. After what happened, she lost her job and went back home, but her family didn't forgive her. She raised the child alone while going through a lot of hardship. Eventually, with no other option, she turned to the Hoffmans, hoping they would adopt the child." Noelle stiffened, stunned by the revelation. "And... your father, what did he do?"

"My father had intended to divorce my mother, to set her free. They had both agreed to it, but at the last moment, my mother changed her mind and refused to go through with it." "Why?" Noelle asked, confused.

"Why?" Charles repeated with a bitter smile. "Have you forgotten the Bakers standing behind her? A divorce would've cut off all ties between the Bakers and the Hoffmans, severing the Bakers' foothold in Brookville. My uncle isn't a fool." Noelle let out a quiet sigh, feeling the weight of how cruel the situation had been.

"And what happened to Liliana?" she asked softly.

"My mother refused to divorce my father, but she also refused to let the Hoffmans acknowledge Liliana's existence. She wouldn't allow Liliana's mother to step foot in Brookville either. Eventually, she took the wedding gifts and returned to Capiton." Noelle was taken aback by the sheer coldness of it all. Moments ago, she thought Charles had been too harsh toward Clarisse, but now, she saw things differently.

Clarisse had not just disliked the situation she was in-she actively destroyed the lives of everyone involved, cutting off their futures.

The true victims were the young woman and Liliana, both of whom had been dealt a cruel fate by Clarisse's hand.

to Liliana? Out of guilt?" Noelle asked, her

but he said

You don't need to carry that burden with you anymore.

his

slight shake of

the Hoffmans would have control

Henry and Aunt Nancy?" Noelle asked

love each other. They were always meant to be together. Don't worry, I

can tell from how

not the one who suffered the most in all of this. At the end of the day, I'm still a Hoffman and an heir to the family. The real victims

piece things together. Chloe was