The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"Charles, don't you think you're a bit on edge?" It was not just Sean. Even Noelle thought Charles might be taking things too far.

Before long, Charles's phone buzzed to life. He glanced at the caller ID, a smirk playing on his lips, and shook the phone in front of Sean and Noelle. "Talk about perfect timing." Charles swiped to answer the call. "Hello!"

"Charles, it's me, your uncle!"

"I know," Charles said with a half-smile. "What's up, Uncle? What's got you calling me out of the blue today?"

"Have you got some time tomorrow? Let's catch up! It's been ages since we last hung out, right?" Milo's voice was firm and commanding, even over the phone.

playing with hers absentmindedly. "You're in Brookville, Uncle?" Charles asked, his voice giving nothing away. On the other end, Milo tensed up before replying, "Yeah, Janet's been gone for months. She stubbornly refuses to come back to Capiton. I miss her too much, so I had to come by myself." "That's perfect. Janet's been with my mom at the Hoffmans' for a while now. Since you're here, why not stick

aback, not expecting Charles's usual calm to break into such

but Charles just laughed softly. "I'll make time to see you tomorrow. It's been what, three years since that whole ordeal?

words were

did not put much stock in his uncle Milo's feelings. Poor Milo could not even muster a comeback. Even though

so I'll pick the spot. I'll let you know

his lips, his eyes dancing with a mocking glee. Sean could not help but make a tsk-tsk sound. "Man, Charles, you're really stepping up your

up with Janet?" Charles flicked his finger dismissively. "Show's over, buddy. Time for you to hit the road." "Charles, you're pretty good at ditching people once they've served their purpose!" Sean grumbled, but he knew when to