The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Charles gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. Janet's words had hit him like a punch, and he was seething.

Noelle gently took his clenched hand, her touch soothing. It was like magic. The storm inside him quieted. He was like a raging lion, teetering on the brink of an outburst, but she managed to reel him back in. Charles glanced at Noelle, her worried eyes locked on him. He sighed. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" Noelle's voice was calm, and she gave a small laugh. "You shouldn't be mad either."

"I was afraid you'd be bothered by her!" He was genuinely concerned that Janet's claims would unsettle Noelle.

Noelle quirked an eyebrow. "What do you take me for? Why would I be bothered? You're mine now. She's the one who should be worried."

With a playful grin, Noelle added, "Actually, I should be thanking Janet. Who knew you cared about me so much?"

an eyebrow. "You mean you haven't noticed everything I've

let out a slow breath of relief. As long as Noelle was okay with it, nothing else mattered. He had not worried about that stuff before because she had not been in his life. However, now that she was, he could not just stand by and let things

giving Charles a look that mixed sympathy with concern. Janet was a piece of work. Noelle had not met

head. Her obsession with Charles was off the charts. No matte how obvious

how tough Charles talked,

her own deal with the Shaws. She knew Julian Shaw and Jade played favorites and that Winter had it out for her, but

me, just do what you've got to do. I know this mess has to be cleaned up

with a playful

Noelle looked up, puzzled. "What's