I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 113

Bonnie turned her head, looking at him in confusion. "Dad, Nora is right here. I can just go in with her."

A faint smile rested on Xander's lips as he gestured for her to come closer. He was indeed smiling, but his eyes left absolutely no room for negotiation.

Bonnie knew that whenever her father wore that expression, haggling was entirely off the table.

She pouted, cast one last longing glance at Nora, and reluctantly let go of her hand to walk back to Xander.

Xander took Bonnie's hand and looked up at Nora and Felix. His tone was perfectly polite yet unmistakably distant. "Ms. Newman, Dr. Ford, I will take Bonnie inside now."

With a slight nod, he didn't wait for Nora's response before turning around and leading Bonnie toward the entrance.

Felix stood stunned for a moment before frowning. "What's with him? Wasn't he just asking you to help look after Bonnie not too long ago?"

Nora smiled faintly and looked away, her expression serene. "It's nothing. Let's go in."

She didn't offer any further explanation. The mind of a successful businessman was always impossible for outsiders to decipher, and she had no interest in wasting her energy trying to guess his thoughts.

Felix didn't press the issue. The two of them had their tickets scanned and found their designated seats.

Meanwhile, Bonnie held Xander's hand as they walked down the corridor. The crystal chandeliers overhead reflected brilliantly off the polished marble floors.

She looked up at her father's profile, finally unable to hold back her question. "Dad, why wouldn't you let me stay with Nora? Do you not like her?"

Xander didn't break his stride. He glanced down at her, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.

Instead of answering directly, he asked, "You really like her? Why? Can you tell me?"

Xander's seats were dead center in the front row, offering a perfect view of the stage.

Just as they sat down, Bonnie heard a lively chatter nearby. She instinctively turned her head, and her small brows immediately knitted together.

Not far away, Cassie sat in her rose-red dress, flanked by Seraphina and Finnegan. The three of them sat closely together, looking every bit the picture of a warm, loving family.

Bonnie pressed her lips together. She felt a twinge of envy toward Cassie. Cassie had such a wonderful mother, yet she never seemed to appreciate her, always running around with that awful woman instead.

If only Nora were her mother.

Cassie noticed Bonnie as well. The petty grievances between children were notoriously short-lived, and it seemed Cassie had completely forgotten their previous unpleasant encounter.