The Cherished Wife

Second uncle?

Tania paused, a memory surfacing. The Naylor family did have a girl who vanished at a young age. Could she be Kastor Naylor's daughter?

However, Tania was not all that familiar with the Hoffman or Naylor families. Plus, Nancy had a major fallout with the Naylors when she married Henry, so even after Tania came back to the Hoffmans, she only got to know them a little. As for the Naylors, it seemed Henry and Nancy preferred to keep that chapter closed. "Come on, let's head down for dinner!"

Charles led Tania and a sleepy Brandon down the stairs, where Noelle was already rounding everyone up for the meal. Spotting Charles and Tania, she asked, "Where's Mr. Smith?"

"He got called back for surgery at the hospital," Charles answered, placing Brandon next to Peter before taking his own seat. Brandon, now wide awake, looked up at Peter and declared, "Uncle Peter, I wanna eat!"

"Sure thing, buddy!" Peter chuckled, grabbing a small bowl and making sure Brandon was all set.

Tania walked in just in time to see Peter gently settling Brandon into his chair. She paused, a twinge of unease passing through her as she watched them interact so effortlessly.

"Tania, why are you just standing there? Come sit!" Noelle, having set the table, noticed Tania's hesitation and waved her over. "Sit here, next to Peter!"

brow creased. "It's okay,

here!" Brandon gestured to the spot next

at a

eyes were on Tania, and with a sense of resignation, she took the seat beside Peter, though she clearly did not want

glanced around the table, making sure everyone had found their seats, and then announced with a smile, "Dig in, everyone. Tania and

some!" Brandon chimed in, unable

"Of course, Brandon." Noelle

playfully squeezed

"Uncle Peter gets

arched an eyebrow and turned to Peter.

awkward, just nodded and focused on feeding Brandon with

were

was not a fan of spicy food, his

to Noelle's thoughtful touch. Tania could not help but think how lucky Charles was to have married such a considerate and