I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 298

Cassie shook her head. "I am happy, but I miss my mom. Since our fight, she hasn't called me once. She must be really mad at me."

Her mother had never gone this long without reaching out. Seraphina quickly plastered on a comforting smile. "Then I'll call your mommy for you and tell her to come, okay?"

Cassie nodded eagerly. "Okay."

Nora had already returned home. The image of the hospital room still gnawed at her, but she felt a lingering sense of relief. At least Cassie was safe; otherwise, Nora would have never forgiven herself as a mother.

Even though the bond was fractured, blood tied them together. She still felt an inescapable responsibility.

But this also gave her the perfect excuse. She dialed Benedict's number.

The dial tone rang in her ear, and her heart skipped a beat with every second. She wasn't sure if her father would even answer.

Just as she was losing hope, the line clicked open. A man's cold, detached voice drifted through the speaker.

"What is it?"

Nora tightened her grip on her phone. "I... I don't think I can bring Cassie tomorrow. She's sick."

Benedict fell silent. After a long, suffocating pause, he spoke, his tone as flat as ever.

"Is it serious?"

Nora shook her head, even though he couldn't see. "Not very. But she needs to rest for a while."

"Then come alone," Benedict replied.

Finnegan walked into the room at that exact moment. "Alastair, you asked for me?"

Alastair waved him over. "Listen closely. Tomorrow, Nora is returning to the Newman Estate for her family's memorial. The Fletchers and the Newmans are tied by marriage. It would be entirely inappropriate if we didn't show face. Right now, you are the only one who can accompany her."

Finnegan froze. "Nora is going back to the Newmans tomorrow?"

Why was this so sudden? Had Benedict actually opened the door for her?

If Nora had the Newman family backing her again, would she still be as utterly dependent on him? A sharp spike of panic hit Finnegan's chest.

Alastair didn't bother hiding his greed. "The Newmans are a top-tier wealthy family in Capital City. That was exactly why I didn't oppose Finnegan marrying her in the first place. Who knew this day would actually come? If Benedict Newman is bringing her back into the fold, it solidifies our alliance. Eventually, the Newman wealth will belong to Nora. Which means, inevitably, it will belong to the Fletchers."