I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 204

Xander's eyes narrowed slightly, though the faint smirk never left his lips. "Don't be so defensive, Dr. Ford. I hold no grudges against her."

Just as the unspoken, suffocating tension between the two men reached a breaking point, the kitchen door swung open.

Nora walked out carrying the final dish, with Bonnie trailing right beside her. The little girl was gripping a tiny saucer of beautifully plated peanuts, walking with agonizing care, her eyes locked on the dish as if terrified she might drop a single one.

She placed the peanuts dead center on the dining table with utmost solemnity. Then she spun around, waving frantically at Xander on the couch, her voice bursting with impatient pride. "Dad, come here! You have to try this. I made it!"

Xander stood up, walked over, and gently rested a hand on his daughter's head. His tone carried a rare, undisguised warmth. "Did you? You made this? That's incredible."

Bonnie puffed out her little chest proudly. "Of course! Nora taught me. She's the best."

Setting the last plate down, Nora leaned over and patted Bonnie's head, smiling warmly as she told her she was the best.

She straightened up and motioned for everyone to take a seat, her eyes sweeping over the chairs as she mentally mapped out where to put Xander.

In her head, Xander would sit across from Felix, and Bonnie would sit between Nora and Felix. It was the perfect, rational arrangement where everyone had their space.

But before she could even say a word, Xander pulled out the chair directly beside hers and sat down.

His movement was so fluid and natural, it was as if the seat had been reserved exclusively for him.

Felix's brows immediately pulled into a harsh frown. "Mr. Harrison, why don't you sit on this side? I actually had some matters to discuss with you."

Xander calmly picked up his silverware, his tone casual but his refusal absolute. "I don't discuss business at the dinner table. Besides, Ms. Newman's cooking smells far too good to ruin my appetite with work."

Nora stood by the table and let out an awkward, dry laugh. She didn't know why, but she had a sinking feeling this man was up to no good tonight.

He used to be so deeply suspicious of her that he practically wanted to dissect her intentions with a scalpel. He had even sent a watch she gifted him to a lab for testing, and whenever she was anywhere near Bonnie, he would scrutinize her from head to toe with that cold, predatory gaze.

And now? Not only was his guard completely dropped, but he was actively inviting himself over to eat her food. The whiplash of his shifting attitude was almost too much for her to process.

Wasn't he afraid she'd poison the food? Had he truly let all his walls down just because she saved Bonnie's life once?

Nora didn't dare try to psychoanalyze him. Xander hadn't reached his current status by being easy to read, and his depths were far beyond her understanding.

Across the table, Felix's scowl deepened. How could he just agree to that?

What kind of grown man shamelessly invites himself to another woman's house for free meals?

But since Nora wasn't saying anything, Felix had to bite his tongue.

Bonnie was the only one in the room eating without a care in the world. As she stuffed another meatball into her mouth, a sudden thought struck her, and she turned to Nora. "Nora, are you free tomorrow night? Our school is having the Willow Academy Spring Fair! Ms. Zimmerman said parents have to come and make lanterns with us. Dad says he might have a meeting. Can you come with me?"

Before Nora could even answer, Bonnie spun toward Felix, happily adding, "Felix, you should come too! Everyone in my class is bringing lots of people, and I want to bring lots of people too."

Felix looked up from his plate, glancing briefly at Nora, and then at Xander. He set down his fork and reached over to playfully ruffle Bonnie's hair, his tone entirely indulgent. "Sure thing. As long as Nora doesn't force me to work overtime, I'll be there. And even if she does, I'll just sneak out."

Nora glared at him. "I would never!"

The table erupted into a chorus of light laughter.