The Cherished Wife

Charles shook his head. "It's yours, but it's not a trade for shares with you."

Noelle bit her lip, a little lost. "What is it, then?"

"Remember that at dinner, I mentioned I had something for you?" Charles held the contract gently. "It turns out we were on the same page without even knowing it."Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Noelle felt a rush of feelings she could not name. She tried to speak, but the words just would not come out.

Charles saw Noelle looking troubled and pulled her into a hug, gently ruffling her hair. "Silly girl. We've been married for quite a while, and I've never given you a proper wedding gift. These shares, twenty percent of them, are for you."

"But this... it's too much," she said, shaking her head. "You really don't have to give me anything. I won't even use it!"

"Nothing is too much when it comes to you!" Charles replied, shaking his head. "Your grandpa was right. Money might be something we have outside of ourselves, but we still need it. I can't let you be unhappy because you married me."

"But my grandpa already gave me..."

Charles gently placed his hand over Noelle's lips. "Tomorrow, I'll ask Ronald to put together another contract for you to look at. What your grandpa gave you was his way of showing you that he cares, and this is mine!"

Noelle could not help but giggle. "Okay then! I can't turn down such kindness." She felt so happy.

She did not really care about the shares, but if Charles thought it would protect her, she was okay with accepting them. "Charles, why are you so nice to me?"

With a playful look and a smile, Charles said, "Because you deserve it!"

Noelle went over to give him a big hug. This was the first time she had initiated a hug with him. Charles tensed up for a second, then hugged her back, full of joy.

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As Noelle's fuzzy head snuggled against Charles's chest, it tickled his heart. Charles, if you're going to be nice to me, you have to keep it up forever. No changing your mind!"

She looked into his eyes and said softly, "My heart is fragile. It's been hurt before, and it can't take

breaking again. If you ever

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down, I won't be able to forgive you."

"I won't let you down, ever!" he promised, holding Noelle's hand to his lips. "I'll never betray you in my life!"

Noelle's eyes crinkled with a smile. She gently touched Charles's chin and stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips.

Her kiss was clumsy, but it made Charles's heart race. The look in his eyes grew deeper, but he stood still, letting Noelle lead.

It was the first time she had been this bold, and Charles was thrilled. He wanted their first time to be something she wanted too.

Noelle kissed him until her lips felt numb, but Charles did not kiss back, which made her feel a bit sad. She.

looked up into his deep, starry eyes, stood on her tiptoes again, wrapped her arms around his neck, and bit his lip gently. "I'm trying so hard. Can't you show me you feel the same way?"