I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 51

Early the next morning, Nora arrived at the Vance Institute.

Looking refreshed, she wore a light gray blazer over a white silk blouse, her hair tied in a low ponytail that accentuated her slender neck.

Just as she reached the entrance, a black car pulled up to the curb, and Seraphina stepped out of the passenger side.

Nora didn't break her stride, ignoring them completely as she walked past, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

Finnegan leaned over from the driver's seat, about to say something to Seraphina, when he caught sight of Nora passing by.

He frowned slightly, feeling that something about Nora had fundamentally changed.

Back when she lived with the Fletchers, she would always stop and greet him with a polite, "Hello, Frederick."

But now, she just walked right by without a word, as if he meant absolutely nothing to her.

He couldn't quite pinpoint the feeling, but this unprovoked change made him inexplicably uncomfortable.

"Finn?" Seraphina's voice pulled him back. She was still standing by the open door, leaning in slightly, the smile on her face fading a bit.

"What's wrong?" Finn withdrew his gaze and smiled at her.

Seraphina pursed her lips, her eyes darting toward the institute's entrance where Nora had already disappeared.

"You seem to be paying a lot of attention to Nora lately," she said, her voice laced with tentative grievance. "Are you regretting this? Because if you are..."

She paused, making up her mind. "I'll go talk to her."

Finn reached out and brushed a hand through her hair. "How could I?"

"Since I promised Frederick I'd take care of you, I won't go back on my word. Go on, Seraphina. I'll pick you up after work."

Seraphina took a step back as Finn waved at her through the window. The black Porsche Cayenne made a U-turn and disappeared around the corner.

Watching his car vanish, Seraphina couldn't shake the lingering unease in her chest.

The way Finn looked at Nora—something he probably hadn't even realized himself—was ambiguous and complicated.

She needed to test the waters with Nora.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Seraphina turned and walked into the institute.

In the hallway outside the lab, Zelda was pulling Nora aside for a chat.

"You'll be representing the institute at tonight's banquet," Zelda said, her tone laced with concern. "It's been a while since you've attended this kind of event. Will you be alright?"

Nora smiled. "Don't worry, Zelda. I attended plenty of those banquets during my years with the Fletchers. I won't embarrass you."

Her time with the Fletchers hadn't taught her much, but she had mastered the art of navigating high-society events.

Zelda shook her head. "I'm not worried about you embarrassing me; I'm worried about you feeling uncomfortable. You know how those places are—everyone wears a mask. You're straightforward, and I'm afraid you'll feel suffocated."

A warm feeling spread through Nora's chest. "I won't feel suffocated working for the institute."

Zelda patted her arm, about to reply, when she caught sight of a figure approaching out of the corner of her eye.

Wearing a flawless smile, Seraphina stopped in front of them with elegant poise. "Academician Vance, I heard there's a banquet tonight? May I attend?"

"Nothing," Nora replied, looking away. "You're overthinking it."

Taking a step forward, Seraphina's tone took on a warning edge. "Nora, I know you're grieving Finn's passing, but regardless, I expect you to maintain your dignity and keep your hands off people who don't belong to you."

Silence hung in the hallway for a moment.

Nora turned her head, meeting Seraphina's gaze head-on, fighting the urge to laugh.

Was Seraphina terrified she'd expose their dirty secrets? Terrified she'd try to steal Finn back? Or just paranoid that her scandalous affair would be brought to light?

Nora simply stared at Seraphina, her eyes completely devoid of emotion. "As long as your conscience is clear, Seraphina, you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

She paused, averting her eyes.

"I have zero interest in your messy affairs."

With that, she turned and walked into the lab, disappearing behind the glass doors.

Seraphina was left standing alone in the corridor.

Rooted to the spot, her fingers subconsciously curled into tight fists.

What did Nora mean by that last comment?

Her heart skipped a beat, and she took a deep breath to steady herself.

No, it was impossible. Nora couldn't possibly know. She was just scaring herself.