I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 481

Now that the dust had settled, Nora Newman prepared to return home and share the news with her father. Sitting in the passenger seat, she watched the streetscape blur past the window, her fingers unconsciously tightening into fists.

As the car turned onto the familiar street, her tension visibly spiked.

Xander Harrison reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. "I'm right here."

Nora glanced at him, swallowing hard against the lump forming in her throat. His steady presence grounded her, offering a flicker of comfort.

The car soon pulled up to the Newman Estate. The staff who hurried out to greet them looked surprised, clearly not expecting her sudden return.

Nora walked inside and found Benedict Newman sitting on the balcony. A cashmere blanket was draped over his knees, and he was slowly turning the pages of an old photo album.

He had lost a significant amount of weight since the last time she saw him, his cheeks appearing hollow. Hearing her footsteps, he looked up. His raspy voice broke the silence. "You're back?"

Seeing her father like this, Nora felt a suffocating tightness in her chest. Xander gave her a gentle, reassuring nudge on the lower back, instantly snapping her out of her daze.

She walked over and crouched beside his chair. Looking down, she realized he was looking at a picture from her childhood. In the photo, a younger Nora with pigtails was riding on her father's shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.

Her eyes welled with tears. "Dad," she whispered, her voice trembling violently.

Benedict slowly raised a hand, eventually resting it on the crown of her head. He ruffled her hair gently, just like he used to when she was little.

"It's good that you're home. I know you've done more than enough."

The thick layers of ice that had stood between father and daughter for years seemed to vanish in an instant, melting away completely.

Xander took a seat on a nearby sofa, giving the two of them space while remaining close enough to ensure Nora felt safe.

Benedict nodded. "Okay."

They talked for a long time that afternoon. It wasn't until Benedict grew tired and quiet that she finally prepared to leave.

Just as they reached the door, Benedict suddenly called out. "Xander."

Xander turned back around. Benedict didn't say another word, but Xander understood the unspoken plea perfectly.

"Don't worry," Xander said. "I'll take good care of Nora."

The drive back was infinitely lighter. Nora cracked the window open, letting the early spring breeze wash over her, carrying the fresh scent of damp earth.