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."

you this time," he

they returned home, Charles disappeared into his study to work while Noelle busied herself in the

the day weighed on her mind.

secrets ran far deeper than she ever imagined. It was hard to comprehend how Charles had grown up in such

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, Clarisse's hostility toward her felt strangely out of place. The more Noelle thought about

kitchen, she found Nancy sitting in the living

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

her head. However, after glancing toward the stairs and knowing Charles was

can I ask

it about Charlie? Or the Hoffmans?"

and said, "It's nothing major. It's just...