I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 40

Finnegan looked down at her anxious, hopeful little face. Chuckling, he gently patted her head. Then, straightening his posture, he walked into the house.

Nora had already descended the stairs. As Finnegan stepped into the foyer, the overhead light cast long, dramatic shadows across the floor.

Finnegan looked at Nora, seamlessly slipping into his role as the respectable brother-in-law. His eyes held absolutely zero affection. "Nora, I'm taking Cassie out for a few days. You don't need to worry about her."

Nora met his gaze with deadpan indifference. "Alright."

No nagging. No extra instructions.

Finnegan frowned slightly, studying her with a touch of suspicion. She had been absurdly compliant lately. In the past, if he tried to take Cassie away, Nora would bombard him with a dozen questions. Now, she was agreeing without a fight. It was incredibly out of character.

A flicker of unease crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Maybe Nora had finally realized she was suffocating the kid and backed off. Whatever the reason, it saved him a lengthy argument.

He nodded, scooped Cassie up, and carried her out. She gleefully wrapped her arms around his neck.

Finnegan opened the car door, setting Cassie into her booster seat in the back and buckling her in.

Once settled, Cassie peeked into the front. Seraphina was sitting in the passenger seat, offering a warm smile. "I'm right here, sweetie."

Cassie beamed. "Seraphina!"

Finnegan shut the back door, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine.

Nora watched the SUV disappear around the corner. The image of the three of them chatting and laughing together played on a loop in her head. A picture-perfect family.

The visual was like a needle plunging directly into her eye, making her tear up from the sheer sting of it.

Long after the car was gone, Nora remained rooted to the spot.

Only when her eyes began to burn did she finally look away.

"Daddy is driving, so I'm holding it for him!"

Bonnie's voice practically sparkled with excitement. "I wanted to tell you something! The day after tomorrow is your birthday, so we're going camping at the beach! We're throwing a party just for you!"

Nora froze, entirely speechless.

Her birthday was the day after tomorrow. She had been so overwhelmed lately that the date had completely slipped her mind. Had Bonnie not called, she wouldn't have realized it until she flipped the calendar page.

But how did Bonnie know? She was certain she had never mentioned it to the little girl.

"Does your dad know about this?" Nora asked.

"Daddy is the one who told me!" Bonnie cheered.

Nora frowned slightly in confusion. How did Xander Harrison know it was her birthday?