I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 43

She recognized the bracelet. Zelda had worn it for decades without ever taking it off. She had always said it was left to her by her mother, a family heirloom passed down for generations.

Zelda smiled warmly. "I never had children of my own, so I've always treated you and Frederick like my own flesh and blood. Professor Vance feels the same way."

Her voice choked up slightly. "Your birthday is the day after tomorrow, and since you're still being stubborn with us, I wanted to give this to you. Don't refuse it. Just consider it a small token of our love."

Nora shook her head frantically. "Mrs. Vance, I can't accept something this precious. Your mother gave this to you..."

Zelda purposefully put on a stern face and glared at her. "My mother gave it to me, but now I want to give it to you. Are you rejecting me? Do you not want to be my daughter?"

"No, that's not it at all," Nora rushed to explain. "I just feel like I'm not worthy of it."

Zelda's expression immediately softened into a deeply serious look. She stepped forward, grasping Nora's hands firmly, her voice resolute.

"You are more than worthy. In my heart, you're the sweetest, most brilliant girl I know. No matter what happens, you will always be our child."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her own eyes, though a smile lingered on her lips. "You've been through so much unfairness over the years. Now that you're back with us, whatever happens next, you won't have to carry the burden alone."

Unable to hold back any longer, Nora wrapped her arms tightly around Zelda, burying her face in her shoulder. She let out a soft, tearful sniffle, her voice breaking.

"Mrs. Vance, I think I need to take the day off the day after tomorrow."

Zelda didn't ask a single question. She simply patted her back. "Approved."

Nora pulled back from Zelda's embrace. Having mentors like them was the greatest stroke of luck she had ever experienced in her life.

The next two days flew by.

Looking down at her, Nora felt her heart melt completely. Bonnie was wearing a pristine white dress today, her hair tied into two little space buns pinned with sparkly clips. She looked like a little princess straight out of a fairy tale.

Bonnie pulled back slightly, turning to grab a wrapped gift box from the seat next to her. She held it up with both hands, offering it to Nora with an incredibly solemn expression.

"Nora, I made this present just for you! Open it and see!"

Nora took it and carefully tore away the wrapping paper. Inside was a handmade photo frame. It had been meticulously crafted by gluing layers of colored cardstock together, the edges bedazzled with sequins and tiny stickers. Tucked in the center was a child's drawing.

Nora's chest tightened with overwhelming tenderness. She pressed her lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.

Bonnie tilted her chin up proudly, practically begging for a compliment. "It took me half a month to finish that!"