I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 276

Her gaze drifted away from Nora's face, her voice dropping a notch softer, heavy with nostalgia. She let out a sigh. "Ms. Newman, you have no idea. That little girl had a truly tragic childhood..."

She was just about to elaborate when Xander's voice smoothly cut through the air, laden with a heavy warning. "Mom."

Genevieve shot her son a look. Xander's expression hadn't changed; he maintained his usual cool, unreadable facade.

But Genevieve knew him too well. The more expressionless he was, the more fiercely he wanted to keep a secret buried.

Swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue, she sighed and waved a hand. "Fine, if you won't let me speak, I won't. Look at how fiercely you protect her."

Her tone was laced with resignation. "You're going to have to tell the girl the truth sooner or later."

Nora picked up on the distinct, heavy undercurrent of that exchange.

Was there some hidden secret behind Bonnie's birth?

She suddenly recalled what Bonnie had told her once: "Nora, out of all the women around my dad, you're the only one who's nice to me just because I'm Bonnie, and not just because I'm his daughter."

At the time, she had brushed it off as a child's clumsy attempt at gratitude. Looking back, there might have been a deeper reason behind those words.

Nora didn't pry. Everyone had their own secrets.

Flashing a polite smile, she stood up and gracefully pivoted the conversation. "I'll go get started in the kitchen, then."

Genevieve nodded, a lingering trace of guilt still on her face. She took Nora's hand for one last word of advice. "I really feel terrible about this, Nora, but let this be the only time. You can't spoil the child too much. Women aren't born just to cook. Unless you have a genuine passion for the culinary arts, it's best to stay out of the kitchen. Grease and smoke will only ruin your natural radiance."

Realizing she might have sounded a bit too dramatic, she chuckled and patted Nora's hand. "Listen to me rambling."

The two of them fell into an easy rhythm, working side by side.

Just then, Bonnie came bounding down the stairs. Holding a pale yellow chiffon dress in her hands, she rushed to the center of the living room. "Where's Nora? Where is she?"

Genevieve pointed toward the kitchen. "Cooking your favorites."

Bonnie carefully set the dress down on the couch and sprinted toward the kitchen. "Nora! Come out quick! I have a surprise for you!"

She threw her arms tightly around Nora's waist. "Nora, hurry! I didn't actually want you to cook! It was just an excuse to get you over here! I have a surprise for you!"

Nora laughed. "What kind of surprise?"