The Bride Widow
Chapter 124: Ch 124: Let’s Talk - Part 3

Chapter 124: Ch 124: Let’s Talk - Part 3

Helena slammed her bedroom door shut, pressing her back against the cold wood as her chest heaved with shaky breaths. The house was silent, but the echoes of Noah and Clair’s threatening words still pounded in her mind like a relentless drum.

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the memories away—but she couldn’t. The way Noah’s expression had shifted from polite amusement to chilling intensity haunted her. His cold, calculating eyes seemed to see through her, peeling back every carefully built defense she’d constructed over the years. Clair hadn’t even needed to speak much—her presence alone radiated power, control, and quiet malice.

Helena clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. They’re just alphas, she told herself, like any other. But she knew better. They weren’t just powerful—they were dangerous. People like Noah and Clair didn’t make idle threats.

She paced across the room, her mind spinning. She’d faced tough opponents before—conniving omegas, demanding clients, ruthless business partners—but this... this was different. They weren’t playing any games. They wanted Anabella’s freedom, and they were willing to destroy anyone standing in their way.

Her breathing hitched as she thought about what might happen if they followed through on their threats. Would they really... go that far? The unsettling memory of Noah’s icy smile suggested they would—without a second thought.

Helena collapsed into the worn armchair by the window, trembling. For the first time in years, she felt cornered. She had always prided herself on being in control—calculating, manipulative, and always one step ahead. But tonight, that carefully built facade had cracked.

Her eyes darted toward her phone resting on the nightstand. She knew she couldn’t face this alone—not with Noah and Clair looming like shadows in the dark. There was only one person powerful enough to counter them... someone just as ruthless, just as cunning...

Daniel’s mother.

The thought made her stomach churn, but she couldn’t see any other way out. Swallowing her pride, she snatched the phone and scrolled through her contacts, her fingers trembling. She hadn’t spoken to the woman in months—not since things had started falling apart—but if anyone could match Noah and Clair’s dangerous determination, it was her.

Helena stared at the contact name flashing on the screen, hesitation clawing at her. This is a mistake, a small voice whispered, but desperation drowned it out. She couldn’t afford to be cautious—not when everything she’d built was crumbling beneath her feet.

With a deep, shuddering breath, she pressed the call button. The line rang once, twice... and then connected.

"Helena," came the smooth, amused voice on the other end. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

Helena’s stomach twisted with dread. She was stepping into the lion’s den—but she had no other choice.

______

Across town, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tension in Helena’s room. The soft glow of streetlights shimmered across the bustling city as people spilled from cozy restaurants and lively cafes, basking in the crisp evening air. Laughter rang out from passing groups, blending with the hum of cars and the gentle strum of a street musician’s guitar.

Inside a quiet, upscale bistro tucked into a side street, Noah and Clair sat at a corner table by the window. A warm candle flickered between them, casting soft shadows over their faces. The ambiance was intimate, designed for quiet conversations and stolen moments—though tonight, their thoughts were far from peaceful.

Noah stirred his espresso slowly, watching the swirling liquid with a distant expression. Clair rested her chin on her hand, her sharp eyes studying him carefully. His usually relaxed demeanor was gone, replaced by something far more calculating.

"You’re thinking too hard again," Clair murmured, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft but firm, laced with familiarity and concern.

Noah’s lips quirked into a faint, almost bittersweet smile. "Can you blame me?"

Clair leaned back, crossing her arms. "You’re worried about Anabella."

It wasn’t a question—it was a statement of fact.

"She’s... vulnerable," Noah admitted, his voice lower now. "More than she realizes."

Clair nodded slowly. "She’s tougher than she looks, but that doesn’t mean she should have to fight alone."

Noah’s jaw clenched. He hated the helplessness that coiled inside him whenever he thought about Anabella’s situation. Her quiet strength masked the pain she carried, but he saw through it—had seen through it from the moment they’d met.

He tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "If Helena doesn’t file the papers... if she keeps stalling—"

"We’ll handle it," Clair interrupted firmly. "Like we always do."

Her unwavering confidence settled something inside him, though the unease remained. He reached across the table, covering her hand with his.

"I don’t want Anabella dragged any deeper into this mess," he said quietly. "She deserves better."

Clair squeezed his hand, her expression softening. "We’ll make sure she gets it."

The weight of unspoken promises hung between them, their shared determination clear. For all their strength, they both knew that even their power had limits. But for Anabella, they were willing to push every boundary—and cross every line.

The soft clink of plates drew their attention as the waiter arrived with their meals, momentarily breaking the heavy mood. Noah offered a charming, practiced smile as the waiter set their dishes down, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

As the waiter retreated, Clair spoke again, her voice lighter this time. "Let’s eat before you spiral into another dark plan."

Noah chuckled softly, lifting his glass. "To keeping things simple."

Clair smirked, tapping her glass against his. "To pretending we can."

They ate in companionable silence, but the undercurrent of unresolved tension remained. Even in this moment of calm, their thoughts lingered on the one person who mattered most—Anabella—and the uncertain future that awaited them all.

But one thing was for sure - the omega they had their eyes on would become their’s. There was no other choice left for Anabella. She was already in the palm of their hands, she just did not know it yet.