I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 50

By the time Nora finished changing and stepped out of the tent, she spotted Bonnie and Xander walking back from the distance.

Nora cast a brief glance toward the area they had just left. The craft stalls were packing up for the evening, and the rival campsite was completely deserted. The black Cayenne was gone.

Pulling her gaze back, she walked toward Bonnie. "Back so soon?"

Bonnie ran right up to her, tilting her head back as she proudly held the little paper bag as high as she could. "Nora, I bought this bracelet just for you!"

Nora took it gently. "Thank you, Bonnie. It's beautiful."

"I got it from that stall over there!" Bonnie practically exploded, unable to contain her outrage any longer. "Guess what! I ran into that mean little girl who pushed me at the police station! She wanted this exact same bracelet and tried to steal it from me! There were two left, and she wanted to hoard both of them just to give them to her 'Auntie.' She's the worst!"

Bonnie crossed her arms with a furious huff. "Why would she give them to her auntie, anyway? Does she not even have a mom?"

Nora's fingers involuntarily tightened around the bracelet. The little girl was so young; she had completely forgotten that Nora was the 'mom' in question.

Nora knew exactly who Bonnie was talking about.

Cassie had been willing to buy out the entire stock just to give Seraphina two bracelets. She had completely forgotten that today was also her mother's birthday.

When the realization hit her, Nora genuinely expected it to hurt. But to her utter shock, she felt absolutely nothing. The pain was gone; she simply didn't care anymore.

She crouched down and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. The pale blue beads contrasted flawlessly against her luminous skin.

A genuine smile broke across Nora's face as she reached out and gently patted Bonnie's space buns. "It's a gorgeous bracelet."

Bonnie blushed furiously under the praise. "I'm just glad you like it."

Looking down at the delicate beads wrapping her wrist, Nora realized with absolute certainty that this was the best gift she had received all day.

By the time they headed back, the sky had completely darkened. Bonnie fell fast asleep in the back seat, her tiny head resting comfortably against Nora's arm, her breathing deep and even.

It was well past nine o'clock when they finally arrived at her apartment building. Nora gently woke Bonnie to say goodbye. Still half-asleep, the little girl looped her arms around Nora's neck, planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek, and immediately passed out again. Nora couldn't help but chuckle before turning to say her farewells to Xander.

Xander gave her a profoundly loaded look. "You really do have an incredible temper, Ms. Newman."

Nora stood on the sidewalk, watching the massive Cullinan disappear around the street corner before finally turning to head inside.

It wasn't that Cassie forgot her birthday. Cassie remembered perfectly well. But remembering and actually caring were two entirely different things.

Cassie was perfectly capable of crouching in front of a scorching grill, refusing to give up even when she burned chicken wings, all for Seraphina. She was perfectly capable of fiercely battling Bonnie at a market just to buy Seraphina matching bracelets.

And then, after a long day of worshiping another woman, she could come home, dial a number, and recite 'Happy birthday, Mom,' like it was nothing more than a mandatory chore devoid of any real affection.

Nora closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her voice was a terrifyingly calm, deadpan void.

"Thank you, Cassie."

"Did you have a good day today, Mom?" Cassie asked, oblivious. In the background, Nora could faintly hear Seraphina calling the girl to come take her bath.

"It was fine," Nora replied flatly. "Go take your bath, Cassie. Go to bed early."

"Okay! Goodnight, Mom."

The line went dead. Cassie hadn't picked up on her mother's utter detachment, nor did she care enough to try.