The Cherished Wife



With a gentle sweep, Charles gathered Noelle up in his arms.

Noelle looked up as she felt the warmth of his embrace. Her eyes, which were so full of sorrow, now sparkled with a mix of helplessness and happiness. "Charles!" she exclaimed.

Noelle wrapped her arms around Charles's neck, pulling herself close to him and nuzzling against his neck like a little kitten searching for comfort. "Charles, you're here!" she said with relief.

"Yeah, I'm here," he replied. Their few words spoke volumes, conveying more than a lengthy conversation ever could.

Gently, Charles lifted Noelle and laid her on the bed, making sure she was snug under the covers. He noticed her feet were chilly to the touch. His brow furrowed with concern. "Why are you walking around barefoot? Don't you realize it's freezing out?"

With a slight pout, Noelle looked up at him. Charles could not help but shake his head with a smile. "Hey, I'm not upset with you, alright?"

She nodded. "Charles, please don't go."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be right here," he assured her, holding her close and softly stroking her back and cheek. "Don't worry, okay?" Noelle clung to him, her arms still wrapped around him even as she settled back on the bed. They stayed like that for more than half an hour, and she did not want to let go even when her hands began to tingle with numbness.

With a gentle sigh, Charles said, "Noelle, I'm not leaving, but you need to loosen your grip a little."

"I don't want to," she protested, her voice tinged with a childlike whine.

Left with no other option, Charles leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere. Just relax, and I'll lie down right next to you."

Noelle blinked a couple of times,

taking in his words before she finally

let go of him. She peeled back a

corner of the blanket and tapped the mattress. "Lie down here!"

Charles did not hesitate and

stretched out beside Noelle. She quickly grabbed his hand and snuggled closer, her other arm circling his waist as she nestled into his chest. "Charles."

"Yeah, I'm here!" Charles reassured her, gently patting her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm always here for you."

Time ticked by, and Noelle's tense anxiety slowly melted away, but sleep still eluded her. Her eyes remained wide open, fixed on him.

Charles turned to meet her gaze. "Aren't you going to tell me what went down today?"

Noelle bit her lip, the day's events at the Shaw Residence flashing through her mind. She bowed her head, avoiding his eyes. Charles let out another sigh. "Noelle, I'm your husband, right?"

"Charles, what if I wasn't part of the Shaw family? What if I didn't even know who was? Would you think was a nobody and turn me away?" Noelle asked tentatively, her eyes searching Charles's face for his reaction.

Snovelbin

Charles's brow creased almost reflexively, his suspicions confirmed.

He gazed deeply into her pale, cautious face and felt a tightness in his chest.

Charles's silence was making Noelle anxious, and she hugged herself tighter. "I mean, what if, Charles. I..."

"Noelle, you're you, and that's all that matters. It doesn't matter if you're part of the Shaw family or not. You got that?"