I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 64

Nora used to smile and take the bags without complaint, simply following behind as Sienna strolled into the next store empty-handed.

She had always thought it was a sign of Sienna's reliance on her, a level of comfort reserved only for the closest of friends.

Now she realized Sienna had merely viewed her as a convenient pack mule. She was perfectly capable of carrying shopping bags; she just hadn't wanted to carry them for Nora.

The two women walked arm in arm, heading straight in her direction.

Nora quickly took a step back, ducking behind a large pillar.

Felix walked over from the opposite side and frowned when he saw her hiding. "What's wrong? Did you see someone?"

Nora lowered her eyes, burying her emotions. "No one. Just someone who doesn't matter."

Felix glanced in the direction she had been looking, but the crowd was too dense to pick anyone out. He didn't press the issue.

After securing Xander's watch, they headed to the toy section to pick out a gift for Bonnie.

Nora stood in front of the Lego display for a long time before choosing a sprawling castle set. The box featured towering pink spires and stained-glass windows.

Bonnie had once mentioned wanting a castle with princesses and knights, and Nora had kept that in mind.

As they finished up and prepared to leave, Nora looked up and spotted Adelaide Fletcher walking toward them. She suppressed a groan.

What was with all these unwanted reunions today?

Mrs. Fletcher was dressed sharply in a forest-green silk blouse, her hair perfectly styled, carrying a designer handbag.

She spotted Nora instantly and marched over.

In the past, Nora had tolerated Mrs. Fletcher's cruel remarks, assuming the older woman was just lashing out from the grief of losing her son. Nora had always kept her head down, offering polite smiles and tiptoeing around her temper.

She hadn't understood the pain of a mother burying her child, but she had tried to be sympathetic, so she endured it.

After a beat of stunned silence, Mrs. Fletcher's furious gasp echoed behind them, but Nora didn't look back.

Standing in the middle of the mall, Mrs. Fletcher clenched her jaw, her fury boiling over.

How dare Nora speak to her like that? What had gotten into her today?

And the man standing next to her—their body language was far too close for mere colleagues.

She ripped her phone from her purse and opened her chat with Finnegan. "You will never guess who I just saw in the mall. Nora. And she was with that guy, Felix Ford!"

Before he could reply, she fired off another text.

"She was carrying a bag with a men's luxury watch inside. The newest model."

"She always buys you something for your anniversary, but you'd better start wondering who that watch is actually for!"