The Bride Widow
Chapter 147: Ch 147: One tired soul - Part 1

Chapter 147: Ch 147: One tired soul - Part 1

The betrayal stung. Not just Anabella’s decision to leave him, but the cold indifference from those he had thought were loyal. Whenever he sought advice or tried to understand the situation, the answers were vague and unhelpful. No one dared to tell him what he had done wrong.

"You did everything right," James had said earlier that evening, trying to cheer him up. But even his son’s blind faith wasn’t enough to soothe the storm inside. Daniel felt lost, adrift in a sea of consequences he couldn’t comprehend.

______

The day of the court hearing arrived, bringing with it a grim sense of finality. Daniel straightened his tie in the mirror, his reflection pale and haggard. He had no one to accompany him, no one to offer a comforting word or a reassuring presence. He was walking into the courtroom alone.

When he arrived, he froze. Across the room, Anabella stood with two familiar figures—Clair and Noah. The pair flanked her protectively, their presence commanding and unyielding. Daniel’s stomach twisted as he recognized them.

The sight of them with Anabella enraged him. He wanted to march up to her, to warn her about the dangers of associating with people like them. "They’re bad news," he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching.

But before he could act on his impulse, Clair placed a hand on Anabella’s back, gently guiding her toward the courtroom. Noah followed closely, casting Daniel a brief, unreadable glance as they passed. Anabella didn’t even look in Daniel’s direction.

Daniel took a step forward, his chest tightening, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to find Helena, Anabella’s mother, standing behind him with a calm yet calculating expression.

"You don’t need to worry about them," Helena said, her voice low and soothing.

"Anabella has no idea what she’s getting into," Daniel said, his frustration spilling out. "Clair and Noah are dangerous people. I need to stop her before she makes a mistake."

Helena’s lips curled into a faint smile, her grip on his shoulder tightening slightly. "You’re overthinking this, Daniel. Let me handle it."

"What are you talking about?" Daniel asked, his brows furrowing.

Helena stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You’re not alone in this. I know things seem dire right now, but I’ll be in your corner, no matter what happens. You have my word."

Daniel hesitated, unsure of her intentions. He had never been particularly close to Helena, and her sudden alliance felt unexpected. Still, the idea of having someone on his side, especially someone as influential as her, was a tempting offer.

"Why?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Helena’s smile widened. "Because I care about Anabella’s future. And like it or not, you’re part of that equation. Together, we can ensure things turn out the way they should."

Daniel nodded slowly, his mind whirling. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope.

______

Inside the courtroom, the tension was palpable. Daniel sat at his table, the emptiness of the seat beside him a stark reminder of his isolation. Across the room, Anabella sat with Clair and Noah, their unwavering presence a stark contrast to Daniel’s solitude.

Daniel’s gaze kept drifting to them, his resentment growing with each passing moment. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were manipulating Anabella, turning her against him.

When the judge entered and the proceedings began, Daniel tried to focus on the matter at hand, but his mind kept wandering. He thought about Helena’s promise, about the glances exchanged between Anabella and her companions, about the life that seemed to be slipping through his fingers.

The arguments presented were formal and detached, the legal jargon washing over Daniel without leaving an impact. He could feel the eyes of the room on him, judging him, condemning him.

But the worst part was Anabella’s demeanor. She was calm, composed, and resolute. She wasn’t the same woman who used to look at him with warmth and affection. This Anabella was a stranger, one who didn’t hesitate to fight for her freedom.

As the day wore on, Daniel’s frustration turned inward. He couldn’t escape the nagging question: Was this all his fault?

When the court adjourned for the day, Helena approached him again. "We’ll talk later," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Daniel nodded numbly, his thoughts a tangled mess as he left the courtroom. For now, he would cling to the hope that Helena’s words offered, even as the world around him continued to crumble.

______

The courthouse halls buzzed with faint murmurs of conversations, the low hum of activity filling the sterile air. Anabella sat in the waiting area outside the courtroom, her hands clenched into fists on her lap. Her disappointment was a palpable weight in her chest, heavy and suffocating.

The court session had dragged on, accomplishing little. Worse, due to Daniel’s distracted and disorganized responses, the judge had pushed the next hearing back weeks. Anabella could still feel the eyes of the courtroom on her, the whispers of sympathy or judgment.

"It’s ridiculous," she muttered under her breath, though not loud enough for anyone to hear.

Noah, sitting beside her, leaned back casually in his chair. His presence was solid, grounding. "Hey, if you’re tired of all this back and forth," he said, his tone light and teasing, "I can handle it for you. Just say the word. It won’t take long."

Anabella blinked at him, her head snapping to the side. His grin was crooked and playful, but the glint in his eyes suggested he wasn’t entirely joking.

"Noah," she said, her voice a little sharp, "don’t joke like that."

"Relax," he replied, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn’t actually do it. Unless, you know...you asked."

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t shake the small thread of unease weaving its way into her thoughts. Noah’s protectiveness was reassuring, but sometimes his determination to defend her felt like a double-edged sword.

"I’m fine," Anabella said firmly.

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