Wife 51


    Time froze, and Noelle’s heart raced out of control. She Instantly wished she could take back her


    words, wondering why she had ever blurted them out.


    Her cheeks warmed with a blush, and she could not bring herself to look at Charles, feeling totally


    mortified. Girls were not supposed to ask guys questions like that, were they?


    Charles watched her, a yful smile creeping into his eyes as he saw her squirm. His fingers


    drummed lightly on the table, each tap echoing in Noelle’s chest


    Noelle chewed on her lip, her embarrassment growing. She felt like she had lost all control of the


    conversation. “I mean… just forget I asked, okay? Don’t take it seriously!” 1


    “What if I do take it seriously?” Charles’s voice was cool but teasing.


    Noelle was ready to just shrug off the whole awkward moment, but Charles’s response stopped her


    cold. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “What?”


    She had figured Charles was just messing with her, especially after his earlier gesture, and she had


    nearly given up hope. “Can you repeat that?”


    “You heard it,” Charles said, his eyes twinkling. “I always keep my word, and I’m not one for jokes. I


    told you I’d give y


    you time to think, and now that you’ve made your decision, there’s no turning back.”


    He spoke with confidence, holding the reins of the conversation and, it seemed, her heart too.


    Noelle could not shake the sudden chill of fear that creeped up her spine. It disappeared as quickly


    as it hade.


    She tried to force a smile, tugging at the corners of her mouth. Sadly, it just would note. “I… I


    was just thinking…”


    “No need to exin, Ms. Shaw,” Charles had cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Whatever


    sparked this change of heart or sped it up, it is not my concern. I’m only interested in the end result,


    and that’s all that matters.”


    Was she really about to hand over her life story to someone else? Noelle’s heart was a tangled


    mess of


    emotions.


    “Do not worry, Ms. Shaw, Charles reassured her, rhythmically tapping the table with his fingers.


    “Marry me, and I’ll give you the happiness you’re after. And if there’s anything you want, just name


    it.”


    Noelle bit her lip, lost in thought for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?”


    Charles raised an eyebrow, his tappinging to a halt. He gestured with an open hand, inviting


    her question. Noelle’s voice was hesitant. “It’s the same question as before. Why me?”


    The silence stretched on, the air heavy between them.


    Charles’s gaze was sharp, cold, scrutinizing Noelle as if trying to unravel a mystery, then he let it go


    and chuckled softly. “Are you really hung up on getting an answer, Ms. Shaw?”


    After a brief pause, Noelle nodded.


    “Fair enough,” Charles said with a nod. “If we tie the knot, I’ll put my all into our marriage. I’m a


    simple guy.


    I don’t do well withplications, and divorce has never crossed my mind


    15 BONUS


    Noelle knew that if she was seriously considering marrying Charles, she had toy her cards on the


    table and talk to him about it.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Charles quirked an eyebrow. “Great minds think alike, huh? If you’re on board, I’m not the type to


    bail and suggest a divorce. But if you ever want out, just say the word He grinned “Anything else on


    your mind, Ms. Shaw?”


    D