The Bride Widow
Chapter 150: Ch 150: One tired soul - Part 4

Chapter 150: Ch 150: One tired soul - Part 4

As the day wore on, Anabella tried to focus on the small, comforting routines of her life. She spent time organizing her books, making herself a simple lunch, and sitting by the window to enjoy the view. But her father’s message lingered in the back of her mind, an unresolved thread that refused to be ignored.

When her phone buzzed again, she hesitated before picking it up. It was another message from Marcus.

"I know I haven’t always been there for you, Anabella. I’ve made mistakes, and I’m sorry for that. But I want to make things right, if you’ll let me."

Anabella stared at the screen, her heart aching with conflicting emotions. She wanted to believe him, but years of neglect weren’t so easily forgotten. She set the phone down, deciding to think about it later.

Clair and Noah returned from their errands, bringing with them a sense of warmth and familiarity that Anabella clung to. The three of them spent the evening talking and laughing, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment. For the first time in weeks, Anabella felt a glimmer of hope—a small but significant step toward healing.

As the night settled in, Anabella found herself reflecting on her life. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Clair, Noah, and now possibly her father by her side, she felt a renewed sense of determination. She was ready to face whatever challenges came her way, one step at a time.

______

Meanwhile, Helena sat in the grand sitting room of her estate, the opulence around her doing little to soothe her simmering anger. Ever since her confrontation with Marcus, she had been stewing in resentment, feeling abandoned and betrayed. Her husband’s words had cut deeper than she wanted to admit, and now, she was left to grapple with the fallout of her own actions.

Her son, Jackson, walked into the room, his sharp features set in a concerned frown. "Mother," he said, his voice calm and steady. "You’ve been pacing for hours. What’s wrong?"

Helena turned to him, her expression fierce. "What’s wrong? Everything is wrong, Jackson! Your father has turned his back on me, and it’s all because of that ungrateful girl. Anabella has poisoned his mind against me, and now I’m the one left out in the cold."

Jackson crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "Father has always been too soft when it comes to Anabella," he said. "But don’t worry, Mother. If you want, I’ll go talk to her. I’ll make her see reason."

Helena’s eyes gleamed with approval, but she kept her voice measured. "And what would you say to her, Jackson? She’s made it clear she doesn’t respect me or this family anymore."

"I’ll remind her of her place," Jackson said firmly. "She needs to understand that her decisions affect all of us. If she keeps this up, she’s going to tear this family apart."

Helena’s lips curved into a small smile, her anger momentarily tempered by her son’s loyalty. "You’ve always been my rock, Jackson," she said. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Jackson placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll handle it."

But deep down, Helena couldn’t shake the gnawing fear that Marcus’s words had awakened in her. For the first time, she felt the foundation of her life cracking beneath her, and it terrified her.

______

Anabella sat back in the comfortable passenger seat of the car, glancing out of the window as the familiar streets of her neighborhood blurred by. She was thankful for all the support Clair and Noah had given her over the past few days.

Their presence had been a much-needed constant in the chaos of her life. They had helped her navigate the overwhelming emotions, legal paperwork, and even the small but significant acts of kindness, like bringing her food when she forgot to eat or listening to her rants without judgment.

"I really appreciate everything you two have done for me," Anabella said softly, her voice thick with gratitude. "I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."

Clair glanced over at her with a gentle smile. "You don’t need to thank us, Anabella. We’re happy to help. Besides, what are friends for?"

Noah, sitting behind the wheel, chuckled. "Yeah, we’re more than happy to take care of you. You’ve had a rough time, and if we can make it a little easier, we will."

Anabella smiled weakly. She felt a warmth in her chest that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She had gotten used to dealing with everything on her own, but these two were reminding her that she didn’t have to carry the weight alone.

"Well," she said after a moment, "if you’re offering, I was thinking of cooking for you when we get back to my place. It’s the least I can do."

Clair raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye. "You cook? We may need to be convinced."

Noah laughed, but there was a soft edge to his voice. "I’m in if it means we get a home-cooked meal. We’ve been eating out way too much lately."

Anabella smiled, feeling a small lift in her spirits. "Alright, it’s a deal. I’ll whip up something nice for you both."

But as the car turned down a street she didn’t recognize, confusion crept into Anabella’s mind. "Wait, this isn’t the way to my place."

Clair and Noah exchanged a look, but didn’t answer immediately. The car came to a stop at a large building, its exterior modern but cozy, with large windows and a well-kept yard.

It wasn’t anything like Anabella’s apartment, and the more she stared at it, the more her confusion deepened.

"Where are we?" Anabella asked, her voice hesitant.

Noah turned to her with a grin, clearly amused by her surprise. "This is where we live...occassionally. We figured we could make dinner at our place instead. You’ve been through a lot, and we want you to be comfortable."

Clair nodded, smiling warmly. "We thought you could use a change of scenery. And we have plenty of room to relax. You don’t have to cook tonight if you’re not feeling up to it."

Anabella blinked, taken aback. She had expected them to simply drop her off at her apartment, but now, she realized that they had gone out of their way to make her feel welcome somewhere else entirely. She felt a rush of conflicting emotions—gratitude, confusion, and a hint of vulnerability.

"I... I wasn’t expecting this," she admitted softly, her heart swelling with warmth and a tinge of discomfort.

Clair and Noah’s kindness was overwhelming, and Anabella couldn’t help but feel a little out of place in their home. But at the same time, she was touched by their thoughtfulness. They hadn’t just offered to help—they had made a conscious effort to create an environment where she could feel safe and supported.

Noah gave her a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, Anabella. It’s all good. Just relax. We’re here for you."