The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

Peter looked at Charles seriously. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Charles pressed his lips together. "If you really want Tania to come back, Aunt Nancy might be your best bet." He tapped the table lightly, pointing Peter in the right direction.

Peter, being sharp, understood quickly. Although Tania did not grow up with the Hoffmans and did not have a very close relationship with her biological parents, she was a dutiful and kind-hearted person. When she was first brought back by the Hoffmans, while she did not seem overly enthusiastic, it was clear to anyone paying attention that Tania acted that way to ease the feelings of her adoptive father. After a brief pause, Peter said, "I understand."

"But getting through to Uncle Henry won't be easy," Charles pointed out. "He's always held a grudge about what happened between you and Tania. Even though he hasn't caused you any trouble over the years, he certainly won't forgive you so easily." Charles hit the nail on the head. After all, Tania was Henry and Nancy's daughter. Henry had always felt guilty about Tania and wanted to make it up to her.

Unfortunately, when he was trying to reconcile with his daughter, the relationship between Tania and Peter hit a rough patch, leading to Tania's long departure. Henry's attitude toward Peter had been icy ever since.

"But Uncle Henry has always listened to Aunt Nancy. So, you're better off approaching her first." Charles had said all he could.

Peter knew this was as far as Charles could go in helping him. "Thanks."

"There's no need to thank me just yet. Wait until Tania returns." Charles raised his hand. "It's getting late."

Sean raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you're just eager to see your wife? We've only been out a short while. I doubt your wife has finished shopping yet."

...

Noelle was out with Rowena and Teresa.

It had been a while since they had last seen each other since everyone was busy with work. Teresa was not too swamped with managing the garden house, but Rowena's situation was quite different. As a journalist, she was constantly traveling across the country.

Rowena was the restless type and had traveled extensively in the past few months. In fact, she only returned to Brookville the day before New Year's Eve, much to the chagrin of her parents, who had their own opinions about her lifestyle.

Rowena left the house today despite her mother's complaints, something she could not help but laugh about. "Do you guys think my mom's going through menopause or something? I mean, I'm working! I've got a proper job.

"Do you know what she said to me?

She said there's hardly any money in what I do, and I'm working myself to death. She even said this kind of work should be left to men. Can you believe it? Like, what? Just because I'ma woman, I can't be a journalist?"

Rowena had always been proud of her profession and never saw anything wrong with it, but her mother was constantly worried

about her. To her, Rowena was net

already getting older, but she spent all her time traveling with no sign of settling down or finding a romantic relationship.

In fact, both Noelle and Teresa had received phone calls from Rowena's mother, asking them for updates on Rowena's love life.

When Rowena graduated and went to Afron as a journalist, her mother was frantic with worry, especially since Rowena had left after a breakup.

Her mother had never been happy with Rowena's impulsive nature. Now that Rowena was back, it seemed like she was never home, always rushing off to her next assignment. It was no surprise that her mother was still worried.

Noelle and Teresa exchanged knowing looks and sighed. Noticing the silence, Rowena turned to look at both of them. "Hey, what's with you two?"