The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

this world. But you know how Janet is. She's convinced she's perfectly healthy, and she's been fine all these years. I hoped..."

Milo let out a heavy sigh. "You think I don't want to heal Janet? Hilary was wrecked by this same sickness until she finally slipped away from us. If I hadn't selfishly left her back then, she wouldn't have fallen so far. Janet's her kid, and I want to give her everything good in "Enough about hoping," Alex cut in, firm and unyielding. "She's got a mental illness that's been passed down through the family. There's a history, Milo. There's no room for 'what ifs.' The odds are just too slim."

"Think about the child. What's this child really trying to tell us? She wouldn't just talk about a child out of the blue unless there's a memory associated with it! Didn't you say she came here looking for Charles? Maybe Charles is the key!"

"It's no use," Milo said, his voice tinged with defeat.

Maybe none of this would have happened if Charles just married Janet. "Charles is practically praying for Janet to screw up!"

"Then give it some more thought," Alex suggested, knowing Milo needed space. "I'll be right next door. Come talk to me when you've got it sorted out. And don't worry about Ms. Baker. I've given her something to calm her down and put her under. She'll sleep like a baby and forget a few things when she wakes up."

"You messed with her memory?" Milo blurted out, his eyes wide with shock. "How could you just go and change her memories?" He had been anxiously waiting for Janet to come, hoping to hear the story of that fateful night straight from her.

Alex, noticing Milo's distress, asked with a hint of confusion, "What's up with you? Isn't this what I always do? You're the one who said that Ms. Baker doesn't need to keep those painful, nasty memories!"

Milo was at a loss for words, managing only a weak smile. "Never mind. Just go get some rest. I need to chill out for a bit."

"Alright!"

Once Alex left, Milo wasted no time in calling Clarisse. She had just had her restrictions lifted and answered with a simple, "Hello, Milo."

"Clarisse, are you okay? That rascal Charles! Can you believe he locked up his own mom?" Milo did not hide his annoyance with Charles, but Clarisse paused before responding, "It wasn't Charles who locked me up.

"It wasn't?" Milo's surprise was evident. "How can that be? I flew out to Brookville the very next day after hearing about the accident, but the hospital was in lockdown. I couldn't get to you."

"Really?" Clarisse sounded puzzled, then added, "But no one locked me up. I was just hurt and healing up in the hospital. Anyway, how's Janet doing?"

Clarisse's head had been still

spinning for the past few days. Between the constant fog clouding her mind and the wound that just wouldn't heal, she had not spared a thought for Janet's safety. It was not until Milo's call snapped

back to

reality that she gasped. "How is she? That day, she..."

"What went down that day, anyway?" Milo cut her off, his voice sharp with impatience. "What exactly happened with you and Janet?"

Pet

"I..." Clarisse was taken aback by Milo's sudden outburst. "It wasn't anything major. Janet just... she lost it, like something set her off. She... she came at me and Mateo with knife. So, yeah, she's probably not welcome at the Hoffmans' anymore. Sir Hoffman was there too, and thank goodness Mateo stepped in. If Janet had hurt him, we'd be in a real mess. I told Mateo to keep it on the down-low. No reporters should be sniffing around, right?"