I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 31

Before Finnegan and Seraphina left, Nora was heading back to her office when she heard Seraphina's phone ring.

The hallway was quiet. Standing nearby, Nora caught a few stray words.

"Ms. Zimmerman? What's wrong with Cassie?"

Nora paused, her gaze unconsciously drifting toward them before she quickly pulled it away.

Cassie didn't want to see her, so there was no need to volunteer to pick her up. She used to call the preschool three times a day, but now, none of that mattered.

Cassie had Finnegan and Seraphina; she didn't need her. Nora felt only a cold sense of duty toward the girl now—nothing more.

...

At The Willow Academy, it was lunchtime.

Cassie sat on a small chair, her chin resting in her hands as she stared intently at the door.

The other kids were washing up for lunch, but she hadn't moved. Ms. Zimmerman crouched beside her.

"Cassie, aren't you going to wash your hands?"

Cassie blinked up at her. "Ms. Zimmerman, did Seraphina say when she was coming to get me?"

The teacher smiled. "She just called. She said she's picking you up this afternoon. Can you wait just a little longer?"

Cassie nodded, though she looked entirely distracted.

She watched the other children being picked up one by one. Why wasn't Seraphina here yet?

Back in her seat, the minutes ticked by. She swung her little legs, growing impatient.

"What's taking so long?" she mumbled.

Just then, the phone on Ms. Zimmerman's desk rang. She answered it and nodded. "Alright, I'll send her out."

Hanging up, she walked over. "Cassie, Seraphina is here. You can go."

Cassie bounded out of her chair, grabbing her backpack and sprinting toward the door, her braids bouncing behind her.

Outside the academy, a black SUV idled by the curb. Seraphina and Finnegan stood waiting, faint smiles on their faces.

Cassie spotted them instantly. Her face lit up as she launched herself into Seraphina's arms, hugging her waist and looking up with a sweet, childish voice.

His warm, familiar voice came through, laced with a smile. "Nora, do you have time for lunch? Let's grab a bite. It's been a while."

Realizing she had no pressing matters that afternoon, she agreed. "Sure, text me the address."

Hanging up, she stopped by Zelda Vance's office to let her know.

Hearing she was meeting Felix, Zelda waved her off. "Go, go. You two haven't seen each other in ages. He's lost quite a bit of weight recently, so don't be too shocked."

Nora nodded, swapping her lab coat for her regular clothes before leaving the institute.

Felix had sent the address for an upscale steakhouse. Nora took a cab and found the private booth he had reserved.

Pushing the door open, she saw him already waiting.

Her first thought was that Zelda had been right—he really had thinned out.

His cheekbones were sharper, his jawline more pronounced, and his eyes appeared slightly hollow. He looked worn down, yet his smile remained as gentle and comforting as ever.

"Nora, you made it." Felix stood, pulling out the chair opposite him.

Taking a seat, Nora couldn't help but voice her concern. "Felix, what happened? You've lost so much weight."