I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 213

Felix replied with a quick yes and was about to step forward, but he noticed Xander was still rooted to the spot.

Xander's gaze lingered heavily on the hand Nora was using to hold Bonnie's, before glancing sideways toward the direction Seraphina and Cassie had disappeared.

He didn't say a word as he finally stepped forward to follow them, though his expression grew even more solemn, his thoughts unreadable.

The craft tent was already packed with parents and children. At the front, an elderly master with a gray beard was demonstrating how to build a lantern frame.

Bonnie pulled Nora over to find a seat, while Xander and Felix found chairs in the adjacent waiting area.

After the demonstration, the instructor let everyone try it themselves. Bonnie eagerly grabbed a piece of bamboo, trying to mimic his movements, but she pulled too hard. The bamboo snapped back, nearly smacking her right in the forehead.

Nora quickly reached out to block it. The bamboo whipped hard against the back of Nora's hand, leaving a bright red welt across her pale skin.

Bonnie immediately panicked. "Nora! Your hand is red! It's all my fault!"

She burst into anxious tears. Nora gently comforted her, "I'm perfectly fine, Bonnie, don't worry. See? It's just a little red. It happens to everyone here, it's unavoidable. So, it's not your fault at all."

Rubbing her red eyes, Bonnie asked, "Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"

Nora affectionately ruffled her hair. "Of course not."

Bonnie sniffled, but still went to ask the old instructor for a bottle of antiseptic. She carefully applied the medicine for Nora. "This might sting a little, Nora, so try to bear it."

Watching her, Nora felt her heart completely melt.

Bonnie was incredibly considerate.

If it had been Cassie, she probably would have blamed her mother for not holding the bamboo properly and ruining her progress.

Nora offered a warm smile. Once the medicine was applied, she patted Bonnie's head, and the two resumed their project.

Sitting in the waiting area, Xander watched the entire interaction unfold. He saw Nora with her head bowed, patiently guiding Bonnie. He saw Bonnie listening intently, looking up at Nora with bright eyes full of unreserved trust and reliance.

Taking it all in, Xander felt an unexpected weight settle over his chest.

The woman in the picture had a radiant smile, though the photo itself was clearly quite old.

He murmured softly to himself, "Someone loves Bonnie now."

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Xander's typically icy features, making him look completely unreadable.

Sitting beside him, Felix turned and caught that look in Xander's eyes, and his stomach plummeted.

He recognized that gaze. It was the look of a man staring at something priceless—desperate to hide his interest from the rest of the world, yet utterly unable to look away.

Felix's palms grew sweaty as he gripped the phone in his jacket pocket so tightly it felt hot against his skin.

Xander was the most calculating man he had ever met. If he truly had his sights set on Nora, it wasn't just a passing whim. He would be an opponent far more formidable than Finnegan or anyone else.

He pressed his lips into a hard line. No matter what, he couldn't allow Nora to spend any more time alone with Xander.