The Cherished Wife



The Hoffman family's old house came alive as J sprinted toward Charles, only to be stopped in her tracks by his warning glare. "Didn't you notice I'm helping Aunt?"

J's lips tightened as she shot a glance at Nancy. Seeing Nancy's weary expression, J's eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance. However, with Charles there, she held back her frustration and forced a smile. "Aunt Nancy, it's been ages! How are you holding up?"

"Weren't we just together yesterday?" Nancy could see right through J's fake concern. She knew J was not her biggest fan.

"Oh, Aunt Nancy, silly me and my forgetful brain! I must miss you so much that it feels like forever when you're not around," J said, her face not even blushing with the lie. "Let me give you a hand, Aunt Nancy!"

"No need. Charles is all the help I need," Nancy declined gently. "Charles, I can walk on my own. Maybe you should head back. Weren't you saying you had things to do?"

"Sure. So, you'll go inside on your own?"

"You're not coming in? What's so important that you have time for your aunt but none for your own mother?" Clarisse had burst out, thrilled, only to overhear Nancy suggesting her son leave. Clarisse's joy turned to indignation. "He's not your son, so you don't feel the pain. After going through the trouble of bringing you here, can't you let Charles catch his breath and get a drink?"

"This..." Nancy's face flushed with embarrassment at Clarisse's words. She had not meant for it to come across that way, and she understood Clarisse's reasons for being upset. Still, it was hard not to feel ashamed when confronted like that.

She was focused on Noelle being stuck in the car, and she knew that Charles probably would not have come by if he had not been dropping her off today.

"What's with you? You seem so lost in thought. Your own daughter takes off and doesn't look back for three whole years. And now what? You're going to try and keep me from seeing my son?" Clarisse's words grew harsher, her tone cutting like a Knife.

"Enough!" Charles's brow creased in disapproval at his mother's harsh words. "Mother, do you think I'm invisible?"

"I..." Clarisse was taken aback, anger bubbling up as Charles confronted her. "Charles, I am your mother. How can you speak to me this way? You know what this woman is..."

"What woman? This is my Aunt

Nancy, the woman who raised me. She's my mom in every way that counts!" Charles cut her off, his patience wearing thin. "Aunt Nancy was the one who looked after me every day for all those years you weren't around. She's always had my back. Mother, you have no right to talk about her that way." He gave Nancy's hand a reassuring pat. "Aunt Nancy, you've been on your feet too long. Let me help you inside."

With that, Charles turned his back on Clarisse and J, gently guiding Nancy with one hand and carrying the luggage with the other as they made their way into the Hoffman family's old house. NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

James's eyes sparkled with excitement as Charles walked through the door. "Mr. Charles, you've returned? I'll handle everything for you!" "Thanks, James!" Charles passed his bags over. "These go in Uncle's room, please."

"Got it." With a nod, James dashed upstairs with the luggage. Charles, meanwhile, offered his arm to Nancy, guiding her up the steps. "Don't worry about what happened earlier, Aunt."

"You know I don't hold grudges." Nancy chuckled, but her smile faded a touch. "Your mom's right, though. She's your real mom. I'm just..."