I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 354

Right in the middle of her break, the phone in her pocket began ringing shrilly. She pulled it out, and the moment her eyes locked onto the screen flashing 'Mr. Fletcher,' her finger stalled and her brows pinched tightly together.

Speak of the devil. She let out a long, slow breath, hesitating for a solid ten seconds before finally hitting the accept button.

Finnegan's deep, resonant voice drifted through the speaker, dripping with an overly manufactured gentleness. "Nora, are you free for lunch? I've booked a table at that private restaurant you love. I'd like to meet with you privately so we can properly discuss the engagement."

Nora's tone was icy and completely detached, practically radiating absolute hostility. "There is absolutely nothing to discuss. I made my stance perfectly clear yesterday. If you all continue to push this, I will call the police."

Finnegan maintained his practiced patience, desperately trying to coax her. "Don't be so quick to reject the idea. I know you still harbor feelings for Finnegan, but this engagement offers you nothing but benefits. It officially grants you the title of the legitimate lady of the Fletcher family. Right now, your ties to the Fletchers are hanging by a thread. Don't you see? By accepting this, you can legally and rightfully remain within the family, and I can protect you openly. No one will ever dare gossip about your status again. Nora, think carefully about the advantages."

Nora frowned deeply, finding the entire speech wildly absurd. "I don't need a forced, manipulative engagement just to secure a title. I have my own ways of providing for Cassie, so don't burden yourself, Frederick."

She was mere days away from severing her connection to the Fletcher family entirely. What Finnegan was doing wasn't an act of protection—it was pure, unadulterated revenge.

Hearing the rock-solid rejection through the receiver, Finnegan fell silent for a few seconds. He convinced himself that her aggressive resistance simply meant she was still deeply devoted to him and couldn't stomach moving on.

He had already mapped out his next move. The best course of action was to confess his true identity during their lunch. Once she knew the truth, she would agree to the arrangement instantly, likely overwhelmed with tears of joy.

After all, he had spent all these years quietly watching over her from the shadows, never truly abandoning her.

Bolstered by his own delusions, Finnegan's tone softened even more as he prepared to lay his cards on the table. "Nora, there's actually a massive secret I've been keeping from you. I haven't dared to say a word, terrified that it would be too much for you to handle all at once—"

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