I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 73

Finn stood by the mall entrance, waiting. Seraphina emerged from the revolving doors with Sienna trailing behind.

Both women were laden with shopping bags. The moment Seraphina saw Finn, her face brightened. She dropped Sienna's arm, jogging the last few steps to him with a radiant smile.

"Finn, Sienna just told me she got a reservation at The Stratosphere and is willing to give it to us. Let's go celebrate there tomorrow!"

Finn looked down at her, his lips curving upward. He took the shopping bags from her hands and smoothly wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.

"I was just about to tell you the exact same thing. Great minds think alike. I already booked us a table at The Stratosphere. A premium waterfront spot with that bay view you love so much."

A flicker of delight crossed Seraphina's face. "Really? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you," he murmured softly.

Standing a few feet away, Sienna dramatically clutched her chest. "Seraphina, your man loves you so much. I'm dying of jealousy over here."

She winked at Seraphina. "Since you guys have your own table, I guess I'll save my reservation and take someone else on another day."

Leaning against Finn's side, Seraphina turned back with a shy smile. "Sounds good. Keep it for yourself, or maybe we can all go together next time."

"You got it." Sienna flashed an OK sign and was about to walk away when Seraphina called out.

"Oh, right, Finn," Seraphina tilted her head up to look at him. "Do you have any successful, single friends around your age you could introduce to Sienna? She's young and gorgeous—she deserves the best."

Finn looked down, a fond, indulgent gleam in his eyes. "Alright. I'll keep an eye out for her."

Seraphina beamed with absolute satisfaction. No matter what she asked of him, Finn always agreed. He never once said no.

If a man poured all his patience and devotion into her, wasn't that proof enough of who truly owned his heart?

As for Nora, she was just a lingering habit born of years spent under the same roof. It was like switching out a favorite brand of detergent—there was a brief moment of adjustment, but once it passed, you never thought about it again.

She thoroughly crushed whatever lingering doubts she had left.

Seraphina leaned in, her voice dripping with maternal sweetness. "I bought you a present, Cassie! We'll show you when we get there. It's a massive princess doll with hair you can actually braid."

Cassie's anger vanished in a heartbeat, replaced by a loud cheer over the speaker. "Yay!"

Seraphina smiled, shooting Finn a fleeting glance.

"But you know, your dad and I probably won't be able to hang out with you tomorrow."

There was a beat of silence on the line before Cassie complained, "Huh? Why not?"

"Tomorrow is our anniversary. We're going out to celebrate." She let her voice soften, deliberately dragging out the syllables to sound affectionate.

Cassie scoffed. "You're going on an anniversary date without me?!"

"Be a good girl, and we'll bring you back some amazing takeout," Finn promised, turning the steering wheel as the car merged into the heavy traffic.