The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Wife 50

Wife 50

Chapter 50

+15 BONUS

Charles looked away, a slight smile playing on his lips. Family? I guess I’m still looking for one.”

Noelle’s heart started to dance a wild rhythm, thumping all over the place. She felt totally out of herelement.

Charles flashed a warm smile as he brought out a steaming pot of porridge from the kitchen. “Lastnight, we had to cool you down the old–fashioned way. The doctor warned you might have a fevertoday, but you’re fine. That’s awesome. Let’s keep it light with the food today, okay?”

Noelle stared at Charles, her eyes wide with surprise. He was a different person from the buttoned–up guy she had met before. Dressed down in light gray casual wear instead of his usual sharp suit,he still managed to look drop–dead gorgeous.

Who knew Charles had this homey side to him? He could cook!

“That smells amazing,” Noelle commented, taking in the comforting scent of the porridge.

Charles’s smile grew as he served her a bowl. “Give it a taste. I’ve been at it since the crack ofdawn, but I’m not sure I gave it enough time.”

“It’s perfect, way better than anything I could make,” Noelle said after tasting it. Charles was not justa looker with brains, but a good chef too!

Pleased by her reaction, Charles’s eyes crinkled with delight. “If you like it, make sure you havesome more!”

“Will do!” Noelle agreed, nodding enthusiastically. A second later, however, she hesitated, her gazelifted to meet Charles’s. Memories of last night came rushing back–the things Julian had said abouther being useful, the moment on the balcony when she had held Charles close, and how she hadleaned in….

Noelle bit her lip, stirring the porridge absentmindedly. “Mr. Hoffman, about what you said the otherday.. Does it still stand?”

Noelle had mulled it over countless times–if she had to tie the knot with someone, Charles was asolid pick. He would make her feel less like she was being cornered into marriage. He was hergranddad’s protege, someone her granddad trusted inside and out Plus, her grandpa seemed to bequite fond of him, Charles, well, he was not the type to have ulterior motives, which meant shewould not be forced into a marriage with Simon, right? She would not end up as just another one ofSimon’s trophies:

The mere thought of Samuel made her skin crawl. His so–called ‘heroic feats‘ were the talk ofBrookville, though he was anything but a hero. Her dad was still ready to hand her over to this guy,all for a pile of

cash.

Noelle was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes glued to the floor and her fingers wrapped tightaround her spoon, a bundle of nerves.

Charles squinted at Noelle, breaking the silence. “What did I say?”

Caught off guard, Noelle’s gaze snapped up to meet his, her cheeks tinged with a rosy flush ofawkwardness. She was tongue–tied, unsure of how to broach the subject.

She had played out this conversation in her head, rehearsing Charles’s possible responses–yes,no, maybe–but she had not prepared for a curveball. How was she supposed to respond to that?

+15 BONUS

“Hmm?”

Charles set his spoon aside, his long fingers drumming casually on the tabletop. His piercing eyeslocked onto Noelle, making her feel like she was under a spotlight. With no place to hide, shemustered her courage and blurted out, “You know, that thing you said about marrying me the otherday… Was that for real?”

Although Charles’s eyebrow quirked up, a playful glint in his eyes, he kept silent.

The silence stretched, and Noelle’s nerves wound tighter. She could not stand the suspense. “Well?Was

it?”

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