I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 375

Seraphina discreetly raised her phone, snapping a crystal-clear photo. She glanced down at the screen, a viciously satisfied smirk curling her lips, before tilting it for Finnegan to see.

In the frame, Nora's eyes were curved in a radiant, genuine smile as she leaned intimately toward Xander. The effortless, magnetic tension between them was palpable. If anyone tried to claim they were just "friends," they'd be laughed out of the room.

Finnegan's face darkened into a thunderous scowl the moment he processed the image. Seraphina immediately locked her phone and tucked it away.

"Let's just eat," Seraphina said, her tone casually dismissive. "Cassie is starving. Leave the rest of this to me. You don't need to worry about a thing."

Finnegan watched her calm, calculated composure, a sudden, turbulent wave of emotion crashing into his chest.

He remembered how he had nearly lost his mind and caused a massive public scene just moments ago. Seeing Seraphina handle the situation with such ruthless efficiency for his sake softened his tone entirely. "You've worked so hard for us, Sera."

Seraphina looked up at him, her eyes brimming with a soft, manufactured vulnerability. Her voice carried a delicate tremor of grievance. "I don't mind the hard work. I do it because I love you. I just want to see you happy, even... even if I know you don't love me the way you used to."

Finnegan's hands slowly balled into fists, a sour knot tightening in his stomach.

For the first time, a genuine pang of guilt struck him. He swallowed his sharp words. He wanted to reconcile with Nora, yes, but that didn't mean he was going to toss Seraphina onto the streets like garbage.

He silently placed some food onto both her and Cassie's plates, deliberately stepping over the emotional landmine.

Seraphina ducked her head, a venomous smirk slicing across her face.

She had already won.

Meanwhile, across the restaurant, Bonnie had eaten herself into a food coma. She let out a massive yawn, melting into Nora's side. Xander checked his watch, settled the bill, and the three of them headed out.

The second they got into the car, Bonnie's eyelids surrendered to gravity. Xander drove straight to the Harrison estate. "She's out cold," Nora whispered. "Do you need me to help carry her up?"

Nora froze in absolute shock. Did he just say he couldn't bear to leave?

Who would have ever imagined a terrifyingly composed man like Xander Harrison admitting something so vulnerable?

Nora spun around, leaning her back against the railing. A fierce flutter erupted in her chest, and a helpless smile touched her lips. "You need to go home. You're going to catch a cold sitting in the car."

Xander hummed again but didn't start the engine. "How have things been at the institute?"

Nora paused. "Fine. Everything's going smoothly. What about you? Was your business trip a success?"

"Better than expected," Xander replied smoothly. "That's why I came back early."

Nora's mind flashed back to the moment he appeared at the institute steps—still wearing the exhaustion of a long flight but prioritizing seeing her. She hesitated for a fraction of a second before her concern broke through. "Have you actually been taking the time to eat properly?"