The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 452

Winter crumpled to the ground, her eyes hollow as she watched Simon walk away. Her fists were clenched so tight that they trembled as shock coursed through her. Xavier had just finished with the guests when he spotted Winter, looking lost and forlorn by the front door. He rushed over and lifted her to her feet. "Winter, what's wrong?" She threw her arms around him, her body still quivering. She tried to hold it in, but the tears broke through and streamed down her face.

Xavier could tell Winter was torn up about what happened to Suzy, so he gave her a reassuring pat on the back. "Hey, none of this is your fault. The ones to blame are..." He paused, searching for the right words. "Yevgen and Chandler. They're the real culprits. They went way over the line." "Where are they now?" Winter's thoughts snapped back to Suzy. "I can't just sit here. I need to see how Suzy's doing."

Suzy had already slipped out the back door with Annie by her side. Suzy was a mess of nerves, wanting to hide from the world. Annie, who was holding her close, could not shake off a nagging sense of guilt.

It was Winter's plan, but Annie had been a part of it too. She had been there for Noelle, but she completely forgot to factor Simon in.

"Suzy, talk to me. Are you okay?" Suzy was shaking like a leaf, her face pale as a ghost. Annie kept stealing glances at her while driving until her worry got the best of her, and she pulled over. "If you're feeling sick, just let me know, okay?"

"We need to go to the pharmacy and get medicine!" Suzy clutched Annie's hand desperately. "I need to shower, Annie. I really need to shower!"

"Alright. Take it easy, Suzy. We'll get the medicine, and then I'll take you home, okay?"

"I can't go home. I can't! My parents will lose it if they see me like this. What am I going to do?" Suzy broke down in Annie's embrace, sobbing. "Why is this happening to me?"

"Hey, let's not panic. We'll get the medicine first, then... I'll be with you. We can go to a hotel, and I'll stay right by your side."

"Please don't leave me behind.

You're all I've got." Suzy's voice trembled with fear. She had hit rock

bottom in the lounge and even

considered ending it all. Howeven et

her rage bubbled up when shee

remembered why this was

happening-it was all Winter's fault. If Winter had not been so obsessed with messing with Noelle, none of this would have happened.

Simon was a monster. He had the nerve to swap out a spiked drink and the audacity to bring two guys over.

.n

"I promise I won't leave you, Suzy. Annie assured her, taking her to a hotel. In the bathroom, Suzy scrubbed her skin raw, as if she was trying to erase the memory etched into her flesh.

If Annie had not pulled her out, Suzy would have stayed locked in there forever.

With a distant look in her eyes, Suzy let Annie gently dry her hair. Then, suddenly, she spun around, clutching Annie's arm. "Annie, it's all Winter's fault. I was assaulted, and

you

were scarred, yet she's just fine. Why does she get off scot-free when it's her jealousy of Noelle that

caused all this? Why do we have to bear these scars?"