I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 27

Nora watched coldly as Cassie sprinted through the kindergarten gates, her face completely devoid of expression.

If Cassie didn't want to see her, then she wouldn't see her. Nora's feelings for Cassie had been whittled down to mere obligation; she simply didn't have any excess maternal love left to give.

She would fulfill her duties, but the kind of selfless, unreciprocated devotion she used to offer was gone forever.

Upon arriving at the Institute, Nora pushed open the office door to find Zelda already there, organizing files on Xavier's desk. Seeing Nora, Zelda waved her over.

"Perfect timing, Nora. Let me tell you what's going on."

Nora walked over and took a seat. "What is it, Zelda?"

"The Institute is getting a parachuted researcher today," Zelda said, her brow furrowing slightly. "Management gave the green light. They're bypassing protocol and heading straight into the project group."

Nora froze, suddenly recalling the chatter she'd overheard in the hallway yesterday. She hadn't thought much of it at the time, assuming that whoever came in would face fair competition and rely on their own merits. She never expected the arrival to be so immediate.

"Who is it?" Nora asked.

Zelda shook her head. "I don't have the details, but I know they have a background in pharmaceuticals and some serious connections. Parachuting into the Institute at a time like this means they're either gunning for that lecture spot next month, or they're aiming to ride Professor Vance's coattails."

Nora remained silent, but the pieces were clicking into place. Now that the Institute had secured Harrison Group's funding, the projects were resurrected. As an industry heavyweight, Xavier Vance had naturally become a prime target for opportunists.

It wasn't surprising that someone wanted to swoop in to pad their resume or build a connection.

She took a sip of her water. "Let them come. We'll let our skills do the talking."

Zelda cast a glance at her and sighed. "You're way too naive."

As they spoke, a sudden commotion erupted from the hallway outside.

Nora and Zelda exchanged a look, stood up simultaneously, and pushed the door open.

Several researchers had already gathered in the corridor, all craning their necks toward the main entrance.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is Nora, my sister-in-law."

Her voice was sickeningly gentle. "Finnegan, Nora, and I are family. Ever since her husband passed away, we've always looked out for her. We didn't want her to have to work."

She turned back to Nora, her eyes brimming with fake sympathy. "Nora, if you need money, you can just tell us. You don't need to be out here doing this kind of work. Cassie is at home waiting for you."

The hallway fell dead silent, the atmosphere instantly shifting to something incredibly awkward.

Nora scoffed internally.

What a brilliant, self-serving performance. Didn't want her to work? Felt sorry for her? It all sounded so virtuous, but the reality was she simply didn't want Nora at the Institute. She didn't want Nora having a shot at that lecture podium and stealing her thunder.

Seraphina was a doctor of pharmacy, but so was she. If Seraphina could walk into the Institute, why couldn't she?

Talking about needing money was just a thinly veiled attempt to force her back into her domestic cage, keeping her trapped as a jobless, obedient housewife.