I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 143

Nora hung up the phone and drove straight into the pouring rain. Even on the highest setting, her wipers couldn't clear the water from her windshield fast enough. She sped down the empty streets, her tires slicing through deep puddles and sending massive sprays of water into the air.

Xander had mentioned on the phone that the estate's security system was top-tier. An outsider couldn't just wander in. It had to be an inside job.

That meant the threat Bonnie faced wasn't from a stranger, but from someone she knew. The realization sent chills down Nora's spine.

If someone who lived under the same roof was willing to commit a crime on a night like this, human nature truly was terrifyingly unpredictable.

Arriving outside the estate, Nora parked by the curb. She immediately contacted the police to update them on her location, not daring to charge in recklessly.

Then, she shot a quick text to Bonnie. "Don't be scared, Bonnie. I'm right outside."

Bonnie replied almost instantly. "Nora, I locked my bedroom door. There are footsteps outside. I'm too scared to move or make a sound. I'm so terrified."

Nora's heart hammered against her ribs. For a child so young to stay this composed during a crisis was incredibly brave.

She had originally planned to wait for the cops so as not to alert the intruder, but looking at the pitch-black silhouette of the mansion, she pictured Bonnie curled into a tight ball, too afraid to even breathe. Nora couldn't just sit in the car.

Leaving a child in that kind of terror for even one extra minute risked leaving lifelong trauma. Bonnie was so young, yet because of her father's status, she was repeatedly thrust into these nightmares. It was a miracle the girl hadn't entirely broken down.

Nora threw open the car door and ran toward the house. The moment she slipped through the entrance, she flicked on the lights. The foyer was empty, so quiet that only the echoing rain from outside filled the silence.

She knew turning on the lights would alert the intruder, but she didn't care anymore.

Xander's security was airtight; no one could easily escape. As long as she protected Bonnie until the police arrived, the worst could be avoided.

But just as they reached the landing, a dark figure lunged from the shadows behind them.

Nora felt a massive force slam into her back. She pitched forward, crashing onto the marble floor with a sickening thud as her knees took the brunt of the impact.

Her arms were suddenly empty. Bonnie had been snatched right out of her grasp.

Nora scrambled to her feet and whipped around. A middle-aged woman had Bonnie pinned tightly against her chest, brandishing a sharp paring knife squarely against the child's throat.

Nora recognized her instantly. It was Winona Webb, one of the senior housekeepers.

Nora had seen her a few times during her previous visits. Winona had always seemed like a sweet, gentle woman. She was completely unrecognizable from the crazed, wild-eyed attacker standing before her now.