I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 97

Cassie's little brows suddenly knitted together. Leaning back slightly while still clinging to Nora's neck, she studied her face intensely for two seconds.

"Mom, did you come here by yourself? Why are you even here?"

Nora hitched the slipping child higher on her hip, keeping her tone neutral. "I was just passing by."

She didn't mention bringing Bonnie along. There was no need to add fuel to the fire on such a chaotic day.

Cassie felt a surge of comfort at those words. She knew it—she was her mother's one and only priority. There was no room for anyone else.

She buried her face back into Nora's shoulder, her voice muffled. "Mom, I don't want to play anymore. I want to go home. Take me home, please."

Nora went quiet for a moment. She set Cassie down, crouching to meet her eye-to-eye. "Cassie, how about I take you and Seraphina to the hospital first so a doctor can make sure you're both okay? Look, Seraphina got hurt trying to protect you."

Cassie glanced back at Seraphina.

The hem of Seraphina's dress was caked in mud, and her messy hair obscured half her face. She looked battered and completely exhausted.

Remembering how Seraphina had thrown herself in front of her, calling out her name, Cassie felt a surge of guilt mixed with a deep need for comfort. She turned back to Nora and nodded.

"Okay, but you have to come with us."

"I'll make sure you get safely on the ambulance." Nora hesitated. "But I have some other business to take care of."

Cassie's lip trembled, but she didn't throw a tantrum. The traumatic encounter had drained every ounce of her energy; she simply didn't have the strength left to bargain or act spoiled.

Instead, she just hugged Nora tightly one more time before reluctantly letting go.

"Spit it out, Bonnie. What's wrong?"

When Bonnie looked up, tears were already welling in her eyes. "Nora, the assistant called me. Dad is super sick, but he refuses to go to the hospital. He won't take his medicine or get an IV, and his fever is getting worse. Can we please go back to see him? Will you come with me?"

Nora didn't even have to think about it. She nodded instantly. "Of course. Today was all about spending time with you anyway. Whatever you want to do, I'm right there with you."

Bonnie threw her arms around Nora's neck, planting a massive, grateful kiss on her cheek.

After swiftly packing up the tent and blanket, they informed the teacher and left the campsite early.

In the back of the cab, Bonnie huddled against Nora, her tiny hands clutching her sleeve, her lips pressed into a thin, anxious line.

Looking down, Nora noticed the little girl's eyelashes fluttering nervously. She pulled Bonnie closer, and Bonnie instantly melted into her embrace.