The Cherished Wife

Charles's gaze deepened, his voice low and husky. "Yeah, it's time to eat." His eyes, however, stayed fixed on Noelle, sending her pulse racing out of control.

The hand Charles held felt warm, almost too warm, as if a feverish heat passed between them, leaving a sheen of sweat.

Despite the years they had been married, Noelle's heart still skipped a beat every time she saw that look in Charles's eyes. It was as if her heart was about to jump right out of her chest.

Noelle swallowed hard, only to catch Charles lowering his gaze, his lips inching closer. She instinctively closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.

Charles narrowed his eyes affectionately and gently lifted Noelle's chin, leaning in for a kiss. However, just as their lips were about to meet, the shrill ring of a cellphone cut through the moment. They both froze, but Noelle was the first to snap out of it, pushing him away with cheeks as red as a cooked lobster.

Catching her breath, Noelle turned away. "You should take the call. I'll head down to lay out the silverware!"

With that, she hurried downstairs. Charles's brow creased in annoyance as he pulled out his phone. The name on the screen brought a brief shadow across his face, but he pressed the answer button anyway.

"Hello!"

"Charles, it's Mom."

"Mother, what's up with calling so late?" Charles's voice was icy, putting a distance between them, leaving Clarisse momentarily speechless on the other end.

Holding the phone with a hint of impatience, Charles's eyes drifted downstairs. Seeing Noelle bustling about, his expression softened. He found himself walking down to her, reaching out to take her hand.

Noelle gave him a puzzled look, but Charles just smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

Noelle could sense the shift in

Charles's mood. He had been

cheerful just moments ago, but that call had cast a shadow over his

spirits. Not knowing who wasThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

line but guessing they were nothe

pushover, Noelle stayed quiet, her head bowed as she fiddled with Charles's fingers. Then, in the palm of his hand, she traced a message. "Smile!"

Charles gave a half-smile and gently stroked Noelle's hair before he spoke into the phone. "Mom, if it's not urgent, I'm going to hang up now."

"Charles." Clarisse's voice came

through, tinged with urgency. She let out a sigh know you've been holding a grudge against me for years, but you don't really get the

M

whole situation. Your father and I... we can't go back to how things were."

"I'm well aware of that, Mom. If you called just to rehash the past, you really didn't have to. I'm not that three-year-old kid anymore, and frankly, I couldn't care less about what's going on between you and Dad!"

"Okay, let's not talk about me and

your father. What about you and J?" Clarisse inhaled deeply. "J's heart is all in for you, and you know it. I get that Kelly's still on your mind, but she's the one who left you high and dry, Charles. You can't live in the past forever. J's amazing, and she's been waiting for you for years. Are you really going to let her down?"

Charles's eyes narrowed, a flash of defiance sparking within them. "Mom, are you saying I have no choice but to marry her? What if I just don't want to?"