I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 22

Martha sounded conflicted. "Ma'am, I scrubbed too hard and left marks on Miss Cassie's skin. She's crying hysterically and refuses to let me touch her. Could you please just come back for a little while?"

Nora remained silent for a full two seconds.

If this had been the past, she would have turned the car around without a second thought.

She had raised Cassie single-handedly since birth; from bathing and feeding to coaxing her to sleep, Nora had handled every single detail herself.

Cassie's skin was sensitive, so every bath required extreme care. She wasn't used to Nora being absent, and no one else could quite get it right.

But things were different now. Her feelings for Cassie were rooted more in obligation; she would never act like she used to.

Nora closed her eyes, her voice completely flat. "I don't have time. I have things to do. If Cassie keeps throwing a tantrum, just call Finnegan."

Martha hesitated. "Is... is it appropriate for me to call Mr. Finnegan, Ma'am?"

Nora lowered her gaze, her lips twitching in a hidden smile of self-mockery. "It's fine."

Her tone was decisive, and she hung up the phone immediately.

Martha gripped the receiver, staring blankly as the busy signal echoed in her ear.

Something felt incredibly wrong. Nora had never acted like this before.

In the past, no matter what happened to Cassie—even if it was just a midnight fever—Nora would rush back instantly, holding the girl tight and refusing to let go.

Watching Nora's intense devotion back then, Martha had genuinely believed there was no better mother in the world.

But now, Nora's voice was frighteningly calm, as if she simply didn't care anymore, as if Cassie's problems had nothing to do with her.

Martha couldn't figure it out, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.

Cassie's crying was still echoing from upstairs. She set the phone down, hesitated for a brief second, and dialed Finnegan's number.

Finnegan Fletcher was reviewing documents in the study when his phone rang.

Martha explained the situation over the line, her voice tentative and fearful of a reprimand.

Finnegan frowned. "I understand. I'll be right there."

When Nora bathed her, she had never thought twice about it, but instinctively, she felt uncomfortable with the idea of her father doing it.

Finnegan realized the issue immediately. He was just about to speak when Seraphina's voice drifted in from behind him.

"Why don't you both step out? I'll bathe Cassie."

Seraphina stepped around Finnegan with a gentle smile, crouching down by the tub to test the water. "The water is getting cold. Martha, please bring some more hot water."

Looking as though she'd just been granted a pardon, Martha practically sprinted to grab the hot water pitcher.

Finnegan looked at Seraphina, his expression softening entirely. "Thank you for doing this, Seraphina."

Seraphina smiled warmly. "I treat Cassie like she's my own. It's no trouble at all. Since Cassie doesn't have her mother here to bathe her, I'll step in."

For some reason, hearing those words made a sour feeling twist in Cassie's chest.

*Bad mom, she won't even come bathe me! I hate her!*