The Cherished Wife

Noelle suddenly understood. "So, it was the bodyguards you secretly sent who told you? But you arrived way too quickly!" She blinked in disbelief.

"I had barely sat down with Clarisse, and you were already busting in. Did you fly here or something?"

Charles chuckled softly. "That's right. I couldn't stand the thought of you getting hurt, not even a little. So I made sure to get to you as quickly as possible."

"Charlie, you're amazing," Noelle murmured, leaning against his shoulder and rubbing her cheek against his chest. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself too. No matter who it is, I won't let anyone push me around."

Charles teased with a smile, "Really? I find that hard to believe. Every since I've been with you, have you ever given me a moment's peace?"

Noelle blushed with embarrassment. "You don't need to bring up the past! That was before. I mean from now on, nobody will be able to bully me."

believe you this time," he said

disappeared into his study to work while Noelle busied herself in

her mind.

secrets ran far deeper than she ever imagined. It was hard to comprehend

she washed the vegetables, her mind drifting back to her conversation with Clarisse. There was something odd about what Clarisse had said, but she could not quite pinpoint what it was. Also,

in the living room. Noelle made her

"What's the matter, Noelle? You've seemed distracted ever since you and Charlie came back. Did something

glancing toward the stairs and knowing Charles was still in the study upstairs, she

I

Or the Hoffmans?" Nancy

and said, "It's nothing major. It's just... Charlie's mother spoke