I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 67

As Seraphina and Sienna exited another store, Seraphina glanced at her friend and suddenly asked, "Weren't you and Nora really close? Why does it feel like you two have drifted so far apart?"

Sienna tightened her grip on Seraphina's arm, playfully resting her head against her shoulder. Her voice carried its usual sugary sweetness. "Because I found my true soulmate! No amount of Nora could ever compare to my Seraphina."

Seraphina chuckled, playfully swatting her arm. "Stop sucking up and tell me the truth. Did you two have a falling out?"

Sienna's eyes dimmed for a fraction of a second, her smile faltering, but she quickly pasted it back on. "There's no misunderstanding. I just realized she's incredibly boring."

Seraphina didn't say anything, just stared at her intently.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Sienna unlinked her arm and fiddled with her shopping bags.

"Didn't you tell me Nora lent you fifty thousand dollars to start your business?" Seraphina asked with a light smile. "She seems pretty decent."

"Let's just drop it." Sienna looked up, forcing a laugh. "She lent me the money, and it's not like I'm not going to pay her back. Talking about her just kills the mood."

"Let's go check out the stores up ahead, Seraphina. We haven't walked down that strip yet."

Seraphina couldn't read past Sienna's facade, so she let it go. "Help me pick out a gift then. Tomorrow marks exactly five years with Finn."

Sienna stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening in genuine shock. "You two have been together for five years? You hid it from Nora for five whole years? And she never suspected a thing?"

Seraphina smirked. "How could she? With her absolute best friend in the world helping to keep the secret, she'd never figure it out in a lifetime."

Sienna remained quiet for a long moment before letting out a sharp laugh. "Keeping her in the dark was for her own good. Isn't it better this way? The sooner she breaks her attachment, the sooner you two can be happy."

...

Meanwhile.

Nora and Felix walked out of the bistro. Felix was carrying a takeout box with half a leftover pastry. As they rode the escalator down, he checked his phone, and his demeanor shifted drastically the moment the screen lit up.

His brows slammed together in a harsh frown. Turning slightly away, he pressed the phone to his ear and spoke in a rapid, hushed voice. Nora only caught the end: "Understood. I'll be right there."

Hanging up, Felix turned to her apologetically. "Nora, you'll have to head back on your own. Something came up."

Nora nodded, respecting his privacy without asking questions. "No problem, Felix. Go handle it. I'll head to The Vance Institute of Medical Science and update Mrs. Vance on today's progress."