I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 155

Felix wore a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. The wariness in his gaze and the cold distance in his voice were entirely unconcealed.

He smoothly positioned himself between Xander and the hospital bed, extending a hand. "Thank you, Mr. Harrison, for bringing Nora to the hospital. I'll be sure to stop by and thank you properly another day."

As a man, there was no way Xander missed the underlying hostility. He raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smirk playing on his lips as he shook Felix's hand slowly.

"No need. Nora was injured defending Bonnie. I was only doing what was required of me."

Releasing the handshake, he turned sideways, his gaze bypassing Felix's shoulder to land on Nora. His tone snapped back to its usual icy detachment. "I'll be taking my leave then. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Nora."

With that, Xander pushed the door open and left. Glancing back through the glass window, he saw a picture-perfect scene of cozy concern unfolding inside. For some inexplicable reason, the sight stung.

He shook his head and quickly walked away.

Inside, the moment the door clicked shut, Felix finally relaxed his guard.

Zelda walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, frowning. "Nora, tell me the truth. Why was Xander Harrison here? What does your injury have to do with him?"

Nora smiled nonchalantly and gave a brief summary, downplaying the whole ordeal. "It's really nothing. His housekeeper had a momentary lapse in judgment, and I just happened to be there to block a hit meant for Bonnie. Just a few stitches, that's all."

Felix whirled around, his brows knitted tightly together. "Just a few stitches? You call this a minor injury? You got hurt and didn't tell us right away. We had to find out from Xander. Nora, do you even consider us your family? Or are you always keeping your guard up around us?"

His outburst startled Nora. Felix was usually easygoing and full of jokes; he had never spoken to her with such a heavy tone.

Zelda stood quietly on the side, taking it all in without a word.

She had lived long enough to read between the lines. It was impossible not to see what was going on in Felix's heart.

Ever since college, this student of hers had cared about Nora's affairs more than anyone else. When Nora got married, he fell into a six-month depression. When Nora lost her husband, he was the first to be by her side. All these years, he had quietly watched over her—never confessing, never crossing the line, just hovering in her orbit.

His feelings were buried deep. So deep that, besides Zelda herself, probably no one else had noticed.

She patted Felix on the back, offering him an out. "Felix, go check with the doctor on Nora's condition. See when she can be discharged and how the wound is healing. I'll stay here with her."