I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 32

Felix chuckled softly. "Family stuff, plus it's been crazy at the hospital. I just haven't had time for proper meals. I'll bounce back soon enough."

Nora knew all about his family situation.

He came from a well-off family of doctors with sky-high expectations.

He used to be Professor Vance's star pupil, thriving at the institute. But his family had insisted he join the hospital system, claiming research wasn't as secure as a clinical career.

Unable to win the battle against his parents, Felix left the institute two years ago for a position at St. Jude’s Medical Center. While still in the medical field, he was no longer doing pure research.

"I never thought I'd see the day you came back," Felix said, a complex emotion swimming in his eyes.

Nora smiled gently. "Neither did I. When I returned, I actually found myself wishing you were still here."

Felix let out a sigh. "Things change. But you being back is what matters. The Professor might act tough, but he's always worried about you. While you were gone, he'd secretly look at your photos and call me, asking if I knew how you were doing."

A lump formed in Nora's throat. She had always known how stubborn her mentor could be.

"I just don't know when he'll finally forgive me."

Felix smiled, pouring her a glass of water. "You know how he is. He'd take it to his grave before admitting it to your face."

Nora lowered her gaze, silent for a few moments. "It's all my fault. I lost my mind back then. If I hadn't quit the lab, the project wouldn't have stalled the way it did."

Felix looked at her with aching sympathy, though he offered no empty platitudes. He knew Nora didn't need pity; she needed a safe space to vent.

Taking a deep breath, Nora forced her surging emotions back down. "When you, me, the Professor, and Mrs. Vance first started this project, who could have guessed it would end up like this?"

A hint of regret colored Felix's voice. "Yeah. If you hadn't left, our results would be double what they are now. We could have been sitting on the judging panel for next month's symposium instead of just attending as participants."

Nora shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Just being able to return to the work I love is a blessing."

She looked at him earnestly. "You've worked so hard these past few years, Felix. Carrying all that weight on your own."

Felix waved it off, clearly wanting to steer away from the heavy topic.

Walking together like that, they looked exactly like a picture-perfect family.

The warmth faded from Nora's eyes, her gaze lingering on Cassie's radiant smile.

It was a genuine, unfiltered smile. Kids were pure—they only acted like that around people they truly adored.

Cassie genuinely loved them.

But reality quickly set in. They were at a steakhouse. Cassie's sensitive stomach couldn't handle this kind of heavy food.

She had always been prone to digestive issues; even a little grease would give her terrible stomachaches. Nothing on this menu was safe for her.

Nora had strictly forbidden junk food. Whenever Cassie threw a tantrum for it, Nora would spend ages coaxing her and offering healthier alternatives.

And now, Finnegan had just casually brought her here. It was completely irresponsible. Nora's first instinct was to march over and stop them.

But then she paused. Remembering her new reality, she slowly sank back into her chair, a flicker of profound disappointment crossing her eyes.