The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 686

Noelle yawned and drifted back to sleep. By the time she woke up again, it was already around 7:00 pm. The sky outside had turned dark.

She rolled over in bed, and her slender hand reached out only to replace the coolness of the sheets-Charles' warmth was long gone.

Fully awake now, Noelle blinked a few times, her sleepy eyes squinting. After rubbing them for a moment, she finally threw back the covers and got out of bed.

The curtains had been drawn, so she could not see outside. Curious, she walked over to the window and pulled them open, revealing a pitch-black night outside. Occasionally, she heard the wind rustling through the leaves. After stretching, Noelle turned around and saw Charles standing at the bedroom door, holding a cup. She could not tell what was inside.

It seemed Charles had timed it perfectly; he arrived just as she woke up. Noticing her standing by the window in her thin clothes, he frowned slightly.

When he saw that she was barefoot, his expression darkened further.

Sensing his displeasure, Noelle quickly realized the problem. She hurriedly ran to put on her shoes and then approached Charles with a playful smile.

"Charlie, how did you know I'd be awake?" She glanced at the cup in his hands and asked, "What's that? The color looks strange." Leaning in to sniff it, she wrinkled her nose. "Charlie, what did you bring this up here for?" The scent of herbs was overwhelming.

Charles raised an eyebrow. "It's all because of someone," he replied.

"Me?" Noelle pointed to herself. "What did I do? I'm not sick. Did you make this for yourself? Go ahead, drink it. I'll watch," she teased.

A flicker of amusement crossed

Charles's eyes. Seeing Noelle's

resistant expression made him feel

both exasperated and amused. "

noticed your voice sounded a bit off

this afternoon," he explained

AQUAS

"It's easy to catch a cold this season. So, drink this herbal tea. I've already checked-it's not too hot."

"Do I really have to?" Noelle whined, her face instantly dropping. "I'm not sick at all. You must've misheard me earlier. She had no intention of drinking something so unpleasant.

Charles was not swayed. He coaxed her while holding her hand, "Be good, or you'll regret it when you catch a cold. Just be obedient, okay?"

"No way! If you're so worried, you drink it. And even if I do get sick, I'd rather just take medicine."

"Medicine is harmful if taken too often, soit's better to avoid it. This tea is a preventive measure. Come on, just down it in one go. You won't even taste it," Charles urged, taking a sip himself.

He then swallowed without a hint of discomfort. "See? It's not that bad."

"No, absolutely not!" Noelle refused, shaking her head firmly. She did not mind herbs when they were in food, but herbal tea was too much for her.

"If you want to drink it, go ahead," she retorted.

"Oh?" Charles arched an eyebrow. "You really won't drink it?"

"I won't!" Noelle insisted, shaking her head like a little rattle, her refusal unwavering.

Charles sighed. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to drink it myself."