The Bride Widow
Chapter 159: Stifling Life - Part 2

Chapter 159: 159: Stifling Life - Part 2

Clair and Noah walked in, their faces a mix of weariness and determination. "Hey," Clair greeted, offering a warm smile. "How are you holding up?"

"I’m fine," Anabella lied quickly, forcing a smile. "Just trying to get on with things."

Noah’s sharp gaze lingered on her, and Anabella felt exposed, as if he could see straight through her facade. "You don’t look fine," he said bluntly, crossing his arms.

"I am," she insisted, trying to sound more convincing. "Really. You two don’t have to worry about me so much."

Clair stepped closer, placing a hand on Anabella’s shoulder. "It’s okay not to be okay," she said softly. "After everything that’s happened, no one would blame you for needing time."

But Anabella shook her head, stepping back. "I can’t fall apart now. I need to stay strong."

Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You’re stubborn," he muttered, though there was no malice in his tone. "But fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, we won’t push."

The tension eased slightly, and Clair changed the subject, asking about the tea Anabella had made.

The three of them sat together, the conversation turning to lighter topics. For a moment, Anabella felt normal again, the warmth of their presence pushing the fear to the back of her mind.

As the evening wore on, Anabella felt more at ease with Clair and Noah there. They cooked dinner together, the simple act of sharing a meal bringing a sense of normalcy. But as she lay in bed that night, the memories of the previous day crept back, making her chest tighten.

She clutched her pillow, telling herself she was safe, that Noah and Clair wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But deep down, she knew the fear wouldn’t disappear overnight.

And across town, Daniel sat in his office, staring at the signed loan papers, wondering if he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

______

Meanwhile, across town, Daniel sat in his office, the weight of his decisions bearing down on him. The company’s financial situation was worse than he had anticipated, and he was running out of options. The board was pressing him for answers, and the investors were growing restless. His once-solid reputation as a reliable alpha was crumbling.

His assistant knocked on the door, entering with a stack of papers. "Sir, these are the loan documents you requested," she said hesitantly, placing them on his desk.

Daniel stared at the papers, his jaw tightening. Taking out a loan was risky, especially in his current situation, but he saw no other way out. Signing them would mean placing his future—and James’s—in jeopardy, but what choice did he have?

As he picked up the pen, the door burst open, and his mother strode in, her expression a mix of anger and concern. "Daniel, stop this nonsense!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp.

He glared at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Saving you from yourself," she replied, snatching the papers from his desk. "Taking out a loan won’t solve anything. It’ll only dig you deeper into this hole."

Daniel stood, his frustration boiling over. "You don’t understand! I have to do this. If I don’t, the company—everything I’ve worked for—will be gone."

His mother softened, her voice lowering. "Let your father and me help you. We have the means—"

"I don’t want your help!" Daniel snapped, slamming his fist on the desk. "I don’t need you or anyone else meddling in my life."

She flinched at his outburst, but her resolve didn’t waver. "You’re making a mistake, Daniel. And you’re too proud to see it."

"Then let me make my mistakes," he retorted, grabbing the papers and signing them with a flourish. "This is my life, not yours."

His mother’s eyes filled with disappointment. "You’re letting your anger blind you," she said quietly. "I hope, for James’s sake, you realize that before it’s too late."

Without another word, she turned and left, leaving Daniel alone with his decision. He sank into his chair, the weight of her words pressing on him even as he tried to brush them off.

Daniel parked his car in front of a nondescript building tucked away in the seediest part of the city. The neon lights from a nearby bar flickered erratically, casting ominous shadows across the narrow street.

As he stepped out of his car, he straightened his tie, trying to suppress the unease building in his chest. This is necessary, he told himself, ignoring the tight knot forming in his stomach. For the company. For James.

The door creaked as he pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit office that smelled faintly of tobacco and damp. A burly man seated behind a cluttered desk glanced up, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Daniel from head to toe. He didn’t bother to stand, gesturing instead to the worn chair opposite him. "Have a seat."

Daniel hesitated only briefly before crossing the room. As he sat, the man leaned back, his chair groaning under his weight. He tapped a stack of papers on the desk with a thick, calloused finger. "So, Mr. Whitlock, you’ve come to me for a loan. Not something people in your position usually do."

"I’m prepared to follow through," Daniel replied, his voice steady despite the cold sweat forming on his brow.

The loan shark smirked. "That’s good to hear, but let me be perfectly clear: this isn’t your typical bank loan. My terms are non-negotiable, and if you fail to deliver, there will be... consequences." His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and Daniel shivered at the implied threat.

"I understand," Daniel said firmly, though his hands gripped the chair tightly.

"Do you?" The man leaned forward, his tone dropping to a near whisper. "This isn’t just about money, Whitlock. You’re putting yourself—and everyone connected to you—on the line. Are you ready for that?"

Daniel’s jaw tightened, and he forced himself to nod. "I am."

The loan shark chuckled, sliding the papers across the desk. "Sign here, and we’ll see just how ready you are."

Daniel picked up the pen, his hand steady despite the turmoil inside him. He scrawled his name across the dotted line, sealing his fate. As he handed the papers back, the loan shark grinned. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Daniel rose to leave, his steps heavy as the weight of his decision pressed down on him.