I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 202

Nora had to admit, the man was undeniably striking.

Standing there, he didn't need to say or do a single thing to command a room's attention.

She dragged her gaze away from him and bent down to scoop Bonnie into her arms. Flashing Xander a polite smile, she said, "Mr. Harrison, I'll take good care of Bonnie. You can come pick her up after she's eaten, if that works for you?"

Xander arched an eyebrow, his tone agonizingly slow. "It seems Ms. Newman doesn't welcome my presence."

Nora blinked, an undisguised gasp of surprise slipping out. "Wait, you're staying too?"

The atmosphere instantly took a bizarre turn.

Nora looked down at Bonnie in her arms. The little girl was grinning up at her like a blooming flower, though the smile was undeniably guilty. Bonnie blinked her big, bright eyes and gave a sheepish giggle.

"I forgot to tell you, Nora. My dad said he wanted to try your cooking again. He didn't get to eat much last time."

Nora tightened her grip, her fingertips inadvertently pressing into Bonnie's shoulder. This was entirely unexpected.

Xander Harrison—the ruthless billionaire who refused to eat hospitality meals and only drank plain water during business meetings—was voluntarily asking to eat at her house?

And to use his own daughter as a messenger? It was the most out-of-character thing she had ever seen him do.

Hearing the commotion, Felix walked out of the kitchen, still wearing his apron. Seeing Xander at the door didn't break his stride, nor did he offer any overwhelming warmth or chilly distance.

Xander's deep, piercing gaze rested heavily on her face for two agonizing seconds. When he finally spoke, his rich, magnetic voice practically vibrated against her eardrums. "If I gave you advance notice, would you actually welcome me, Ms. Newman?"

Nora let out an awkward chuckle, silently cursing his razor-sharp ability to pick apart her words.

Yet her smile never wavered, looking even more genuine than before. "I would never turn you away, Mr. Harrison."

Taking a step back, she cleared the doorway and gestured for him to enter. "Come in, Mr. Harrison. It's freezing out there."

Xander looked down at her, a faint, deeply unreadable smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Without another word, he stepped inside, the hem of his long coat brushing against her welcome mat, carrying with it a rush of crisp, cold night air.