I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 29

Finnegan stared at her, his brow locked into a severe frown. Nora stood before him, her eyes reflecting a coldness he had never seen before.

Since when did she learn to speak to him with that tone?

He took a deep breath, burying his irritation, and mentally rephrased his approach.

He couldn't clash with her head-on. He knew Nora all too well—she responded to a soft touch, not aggressive demands.

He softened his voice, adopting a tone of earnest, brotherly concern.

"Seraphina has a clear career trajectory. She knows exactly what she wants for her future. But what about you?"

He sighed heavily. "You've suddenly decided to jump back into the workforce, but do you have any idea how ruthless the real world is? It's not something you can just walk into on a whim. If you fail and get crushed out there, who are you going to cry to?"

He paused, letting his voice drop to an even graver register. "Nora, have you even considered these issues? I'm warning you out of the goodness of my heart as your brother. Don't fall into a trap. You still have Cassie to think about, and please... don't make Finnegan worry about you from above."

He finished his speech and waited for her reaction. In his mind, the script was already written: Nora would lower her head, stay silent for a few seconds, and then whisper, *"You're right, Frederick. I understand."* Then, she would obediently go back to her kitchen and her child, resuming her life as a submissive housewife.

For the past five years, deploying the "Finnegan is watching from heaven" card had guaranteed her absolute surrender.

But this time, Nora didn't bow her head. She simply stared at him, her eyes as calm and still as a dead lake, looking at him as if he were a complete stranger.

She listened to his entire patronizing lecture, a fleeting smile of mockery tugging at the corner of her mouth before she replied flatly, "I understand. Thank you for your concern, Frederick."

Finnegan felt a rush of relief.

Just as he suspected, she was still the same old Nora. He opened his mouth to deliver a few more comforting words to seal the deal, but Nora suddenly pivoted.

In his mind, Nora was just a fragile little woman who needed his protection and couldn't survive without him.

But now she had officially entered the Institute. That meant she would be attending the international symposium next month.

If she attended as a formal researcher for the Institute, it could create unnecessary friction for Seraphina's bid for the lecture spot. He simply couldn't let that happen.

Nora owed Seraphina this. She needed to step aside and let Seraphina have the best of everything, and that lecture spot was meant for Seraphina anyway.

Even if Nora eventually found out the truth, she wouldn't dare say a word.

Finnegan crushed his cigarette, flicked it into the trash, adjusted his suit cuffs, and strode back into the Institute.