The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Chapter 661

"Don't sell yourself short, Aunt. You raised me like a mother would. Hey, Uncle's not back yet, and I don't want anyone giving you a hard time. Stay in your room for a bit if you can, okay?"

"Alright, dear. I'm tired, so I'll have a rest," Nancy replied, understanding Charles's concern. She had raised him, after all, so she knew his warm heart well. "Don't worry about Noelle. She's fine in the car, but don't keep her waiting too long." With a tender smile and a glint of affection in his eyes, Charles said, "I'll head back, then. Drop by when you can, Aunt. Noelle and I always enjoy your company."

Stepping out of Nancy's room, Charles ran straight into Clarisse and Janet. Clarisse's earlier irritation with Charles had simmered down. She had bigger fish to fry with Nancy later. Right now, she needed to make sure Charles stuck around.

Clarisse fidgeted, her hands twisting together as she looked at Charles with hopeful eyes. "Hey, Charles. Now that you're back, how about sticking around for dinner or even spending the night? We've got rooms to spare, and your old room's been kept spotless just for you!"

Charles shot her a withering look, his voice sharp and distant. "I can't. I've got stuff to do. Bye."

past her, heading for the stairs. Clarisse stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing, until she finally snapped out of it and dashed after him. "Charles, what's so important that you can't even stay for dinner? It's late, and I checked with Janet your office is closed for the next couple of days. You're not fooling me. Are you really

smirk and kept walking. Clarisse's temper

there, mister! How

mom

I've done for you? I'm practically begging, yet you can't even sit

of that with

you up to this? How could she be so heartless? Her own kids can't stand her, so she's trying to sink her claws into you. She's already snatched a man from someone else, and now she's after my

around, his eyes a frosty glare that could freeze anyone in their tracks. "Mom, you're supposed to be

Qu

do with Aunt. I'm

stand the sight of I you or your darling niece if you had any sense, you'd pack up and leave the Hoffmans and Brookville altogether. If you did, maybe I'd actually want to come