The Cherished Wife

Ronald shook his head quickly. “Nope. I’m all done with my report!”

Charles gave Ronald a look, and Ronald clamped his mouth shut, then blurted out, “Oh, I just remembered. I’ve got something else to do, Mr. Hoffman, Madam. I’ll be on my way!”

“Um…” Noelle, noticing Ronald’s rush, felt a bit puzzled. “I’ve cooked some food, Ronald. You can eat before you leave!”

Ronald stopped for a second, feeling sharp eyes on him. He straightened up and let out a goofy laugh. “Madam, you’re too kind, but I really have to run. I’ve got some urgent things to handle. Enjoy your dinner. I won’t keep you!”

Watching Ronald zoom off, Noelle paused, then turned to Charles and bit her lip. “Why did he rush off like that? Did you give him something urgent to do?”

Charles narrowed his eyes in thought, then stood up and waved Noelle over. “What’s up?” Noelle asked as she came closer. She glanced at the papers on the desk and raised her eyebrows. “Is this

Winter’s contract?”

He nodded and handed her the contract. “Want to take a look?”

Noelle smiled, took the papers, and started reading. She looked up, shocked, thinking she must have misread. However, even after checking again, she was still amazed. Her jaw was practically on the

floor.

She touched her face in disbelief. “I can’t be seeing this wrong!”

“What do you think?” Charles teased, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear with a chuckle.

You’re seeing it right!”

#

“But Winter is smart, and this contract seems so unfair. How could she agree to it?” Noelle bit her lip, struggling to believe it. She had always seen Winter as someone who would not let anything get past

her.

Noelle had been as close as sisters with Winter for so long, so she knew her well. She could not imagine Winter agreeing to such an unfair deal.

Charles smiled slyly. “It might seem unfair to you, but maybe not to her.” He took the contract from Noelle and led her out of the study by the hand. “So, what yummy food did you make today?”

The dishes on the dining table were all pretty plain. “I’ve noticed you coughing a lot lately,” Noelle said, a bit annoyed. “You won’t go to bed early, and you ignore me when I tell you to take your medicine. So, I guess I have to make sure you eat right.” She paused, then added, “And don’t try to change the subject. You said the contract might not be unfair for Winter. What did you mean?”

“Think about her situation right now,” Charles replied, his usually composed eyes revealing a touch of warmth as he led Noelle downstairs. He glanced at the dinner table and raised an eyebrow. “Noelle, this meal really is… incredibly plain!”

“If you’d just take your medicine, I wouldn’t have to do this,” Noelle shot back, her eyebrow raised. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Charles let out a resigned sigh. “Maybe I need to think about what a married man should be careful about…”

“Oh? And what do you think that should be?”

P