The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

"Thank you, Charlie!"

"One meal was all it took to win you over?" Charles raised an eyebrow.

He sipped his soup leisurely, his innate aristocratic air making even a simple, everyday meal appear elegant and refined.

By contrast, Noelle seemed a bit more disheveled. She was genuinely starving-she had not eaten much before they went out the previous night, and she had a drink. After such an energy-draining night, Noelle was famished.

If she had not been too tired to get up in the morning, there was no way she would have waited this long to eat breakfast.

"By the way, Charlie, are you heading out today?"

"Probably not." Charles set down his soup platter. "Do you want to go out?"

Noelle shook her head. "No, I don't. I'm too tired!" She didn't feel like taking a single step or moving at all.

Charles chuckled. "Are you full?"

Noelle nodded. "I'm full." She had already eaten three slices of toast and two bowls of soup; if she did not feel full after that, she was definitely on her way to becoming a glutton.

Charles got up to clear the dishes and gestured toward the backyard. "We just finished eating. Go for a walk in the garden to help you digest."

"I'll help you clean up!" Noelle offered while reaching out, but Charles stopped her. "Don't want you to hurt your hands. Go take a walk; I'll join you in a bit."

"Alright then!" Noelle snuggled against Charles' arm. "Charlie, you're so good to me!"

Charles squinted and flicked her on the forehead lightly. "Off you go!"

Noelle eagerly headed to the backyard garden for a stroll. Truth be told, she really had eaten a bit too much, and her stomach felt a little uncomfortable.

She initially thought about taking

some digestive medicine but remembered how Charles had advised her to cut back on such things. So, she earnestly took a walk in the garden instead.

Charles washed the dishes, and as he stood by the window, he looked outside.

Though it was winter and everything seemed barren, a ray of sunshine broke through. It was shining on Noelle's face and body, making her appear vibrant and full of life

QUMS

Noelle turned around. She saw Charles at the window and waved. "Charlie, it's sunny and warm out here. Come join me!"

"Alright!" Charles was just about to head out when his phone rang. "Hold on, I need to take this call."

He glanced at the screen and saw Steven's name, frowning slightly. "Hello, Mr. Fischer."

"Are you free?" Steven's deep voice came from the other end.

With one hand in his pocket, Charles watched Noelle wander around the yard. She picked up a stick and started scribbling in the air, seemingly lost in her own world.

Charles' gaze deepened. "Yeah, what's up?"

"I brought someone over; I want to visit your aunt." The aunt Steven referred to was Henry's wife and Charles' aunt, Nancy.

Charles furrowed his brows. "Aunt Nancy hasn't been feeling well lately. Uncle Henry hasn't let her go out in a long time."

He spoke calmly. "If it's not absolutely necessary, I doubt Uncle Henry would let her meet anyone."

"It is necessary," Steven replied. "If it wasn't, I wouldn't be asking you, Charles."

Charles paused for a moment. "I'll ask Aunt Nancy."

He then glanced at Noelle, who was looking at him and making funny faces, causing him to chuckle softly and shake his head. "Who's the person you're bringing?" "Don't worry, it won't affect Nancy's health," Steven assured him. "I'm sure Nancy would very much like to see her."