The Cherished Wife



Sean was mid-sentence when he heard the purr of a car pulling up outside. His ears never missed a beat. "Charles is back," he announced.

Then came a knock at the door. Sean sauntered over and swung it open. "Charles, man, you should know how to-Mr. Fischer?" His eyes popped in shock at the sight of Steven and the fiery woman at his side. "Little Firecracker?"

Steven shot Sean a look. "What's the matter? Shocked to see me?"

Feeling the sting of Steven's icy stare, Sean stiffened and quickly shook his head. "No way! Shocked? Ha! Come on in, Mr. Fischer. And, uh... Little Firecracker, you too?"

Eloise ignored Sean, stepping past him with Steven.

Sean smirked innocently and trailed after Eloise. "Come on, Little Firecracker, give me a little smile. We go way back! Aren't you even a little bit happy to see me?"

"You're so loud!" Eloise shot back, visibly annoyed. "Only a chatterbox like you could still be single!"

Sean's mouth hung open, ready to retort, but her jab left him speechless. He stared at her, wide-eyed. "For your information, I choose to be single. Here in Brookville, if I so much as snap my fingers, the ladies come running. I guess you must have a crush on me!"noveldrama

The moment the words left his mouth, the room turned frosty.

Sean's heart lurched, and he shot a surprised glance at Steven, who was standing a short distance away. Steven's piercing gaze locked onto him, sending a shiver down Sean's spine as if he were teetering on the edge of a fiery abyss. Sean could not shake the feeling that Steven was about to pounce on him like prey.

Eloise rolled her eyes at Sean, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Grow up!" She then strutted over to Steven's side.

Steven gave Eloise a brief look. "Take a seat."

Eloise sat down without a fuss while

et

Sean's eyes popped in indignation. He felt slighted. "Hey, Little Firecracker, you tease me for being single, but what about Mr. Fischer? He's single too, and he's even older than me!"

S

Steven raised an eyebrow. "Got an issue with that?"

"No way!" Sean was not about to challenge him. "I'll go help out my sister-in-law in the kitchen!"

With the two titans, Peter and Steven, in the room, Sean knew better than to stick around when he could make a swift exit.

Once Sean had scampered off, Steven's gaze shifted back to Eloise, his tone calm and detached. "You're fond of that guy?"

Eloise was taken aback for a second before shaking her head. No way she liked him!

"Right." Steven nodded, his fingers laced together thoughtfully. He cast a sidelong glance at Peter. "Tania's back in town. What are you going to do?"

Peter paused, a contemplative look crossing his face. "Time to pull the plug. It's been three years, and some things need to end." He turned to Steven. "I thought you were back in Cascade City?"

Steven's brow furrowed. "There's trouble with my aunt. I can't just leave things be."

Peter was well aware that when

Steven mentioned 'aunt,' he was talking about Nancy. She was practically family, having raised both Steven and Charles. It was no

wonder Steven felt so stropalel?

her.

about

"Tania's back, so mom should be okay too!" Peter insisted, refusing to entertain any other outcome. "You mentioned a paternity test last time. Did you get it done?"

Steven's brow creased ever so slightly, and Reter immediately caught on that he had not. "You're not one to beat around the bush, so what's up this time?" Peter asked, his gaze shifting to Eloise, a

mysterious twinkle in his eye.