I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 237

After the meal, Nora felt completely uninhibited for the first time in ages.

She didn't want to think about tomorrow, nor did she want to think about the stranger she was set to marry in half a month.

She drank heavily. Empty beer bottles lined the corner of the table, and Felix hadn't been able to stop her despite several attempts.

He didn't drink, knowing he still had to drive her home. He could only sit across from her, watching her down glass after glass, occasionally handing over another freshly grilled skewer to pad her stomach.

Nora was undeniably tipsy. Propping her chin on her hand, she stared at Felix and suddenly blurted out, completely unprompted, "Felix, you're not getting any younger. Why don't you have a girlfriend? Planning to stay single forever?"

Felix, in the middle of pouring water, froze. He looked up at Nora, his gaze softening immensely.

Stripped of his usual easygoing, joking demeanor, he instantly became entirely earnest.

The corners of his lips curved upward, and his voice was far gentler than usual. "Actually, there is someone I like."

Nora instantly perked up at the confession. Setting her glass down, she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with the haze of alcohol.

"Who is it? Do I know her? Tell me so I can celebrate! I've never heard you mention this."

Felix's eyes flickered, his gaze lingering on her face for a brief moment before he looked down, continuing to prepare her food. "She's very close to me."

"Do I know her?" Nora pressed.

Felix replied, "You should."

Nora smiled. "What do you mean, 'I should'?"

Felix smiled back. "It means you do."

Nora asked if he felt comfortable telling her who it was, but Felix dodged the question entirely.

"I'm taking you home."

Once he had helped her into the passenger seat and buckled her in, Nora suddenly shook her head.

She rolled down the window. The night breeze rushed in, cooling the drunken flush on her cheeks, and carrying her voice away in its wake.

"Felix, I want to go for a drive. I don't think I'll ever have such carefree days again."

Felix reached out, gently touching her forehead, his palm radiating warmth.

"How could that be? Whenever you want to go, I'll take you."

Nora didn't reply, offering only a bitter, resigned smile.

The car drove slowly through the nocturnal streets of the Old Quarter. Leaning against the window, she watched the cityscape blur past as tears silently streamed down her cheeks.