The Cherished Wife

Tania slipped back into Phoenix Tree Residence way past midnight. The car's rumble barely had time to die down before Charles was on his feet. He squinted through the darkness and saw Noelle out like a light. Moving like a shadow, he made sure she was snug under the covers before he tiptoed out of the room.

"Charles? You're still up?"

Tania could not hide her shock at finding Charles awake. He just nodded, giving her a once-over. "I figured you wouldn't make it back tonight." He frowned a little, seeing the weariness etched on her face. "What's up?"

Tania gave a weary shake of her head. "Nothing, really. It's late, and you should get some sleep too."

Once Tania vanished into her room, Charles lingered at her door, eyes narrowed in thought, before he finally retreated to his own space.

The bombshell about Trevon actually being Jack only hit Charles the next day. Tania, up with the dawn, found him waiting outside her door. "Charles?"

Charles confirmed with a nod. "Peter told me about

still a hard pill to swallow. She had tossed and turned all night, haunted by the revelation. Her mind raced back to long-forgotten moments and to the tangled web

her. She could admit that she married Trevon out of desperation-she was pregnant with Peter's baby, and Peter was out of the picture. She could not stand the thought of her kid growing

showed up, offering to take care of her, her son, and even her adoptive dad, Tania felt like he was a hero swooping in to

not want to. However, what Tania never saw coming was that his kindness was all a front-he was just

off with Tania's

"I'm okay, Charles!"

Charles nodded. "Heading to the

meet Mr. Smith for a check-up. We can't put off Mom's treatment any longer. So, I've got to swing by the

Charles gave Tania's shoulder a reassuring pat. "Do you need a ride to