The Bride Widow
Chapter 178 - 176: He’s changed - Part 1

Chapter 178: 176: He’s changed - Part 1

Once they were seated alone at the small table, James fidgeted, his hands wringing nervously.

The weight of his father’s struggles pressed heavily on his small shoulders, and now, sitting across from Anabella, he felt the urgency to express everything he had been bottling up.

"Anabella," James began, his voice barely above a whisper, "Dad... he’s changed. He’s not the same anymore. He’s in a terrible mood most of the time. He yells at everyone, and it’s like he’s angry at the whole world." He paused, his eyes welling up with tears.

"I just want things to go back to how they were. Can you come back? Please?"

Anabella’s heart ached at James’s plea. She reached across the table, gently holding his hand.

"James, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I know it’s hard. But me going back wouldn’t make things better. In fact, it would probably make them worse. Your father has made his choices, and now he needs to live with them... and with his omega."

James’s face twisted with frustration. "But I don’t like her! I don’t want her anywhere near our house! She’s not you, and she doesn’t care about us the way you did!"

Anabella sighed softly, understanding his frustration but knowing there was little she could do. "I know it’s tough to accept, but sometimes we have to deal with things we don’t like. This is one of those times. Your father has chosen his mate, and she’s a part of his life now. There’s nothing you or I can do to change that."

James’s hands clenched into fists, a spark of defiance flaring in his eyes. For a moment, he wanted to lash out, to curse at Anabella for not fixing things.

But then he remembered something that calmed his fury: Anabella’s own experience. Her mother wasn’t her birth mother. Her father had remarried after marking someone else who wasn’t her biological mother.

Anabella had lived through a similar pain and loss, and yet, she had come out of it with grace and understanding.

That realization hit James hard. He wasn’t alone in feeling displaced and abandoned. The only person who could truly understand what he was going through was sitting right in front of him. His anger gave way to sadness, and his small shoulders slumped.

"I guess... you’re the only one who understands," James murmured, his voice laden with sorrow. He looked up at Anabella with pleading eyes. "Can I stay here tonight? Just for one night? I don’t want to go back... not tonight."

Anabella’s heart softened further, seeing the vulnerability in James. The thought of sending him back out into the gloomy evening, where he’d return to a house filled with tension and unhappiness, was unbearable. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Of course, you can stay, James," she said gently. "Just for one night. We’ll make sure you’re comfortable, and we’ll figure things out from there."

James’s expression brightened, a flicker of relief washing over his face. "Thank you, Anabella. I knew I could count on you."

Anabella stood, guiding James toward the small living area in the back of the bakery. "Let’s get you settled in. You’ve had a long day."

______

As the soft murmurs of James and Anabella’s conversation drifted through the bakery, Noah, who had been quietly sipping coffee at a corner table, perked up.

He had overheard enough to understand the situation: James, vulnerable and distressed, was staying the night with Anabella.

While Noah respected Anabella’s kindness, the idea of her being alone with a young boy, especially during such emotionally charged times, made him uneasy.

Setting his mug down, Noah approached them with a friendly smile. "Hey, I couldn’t help but overhear about the sleepover," he began casually, leaning slightly on the counter. "It sounds like a good idea, but how about I join in too? It could be fun, and it’s always better to have more company during these times."

James’s face scrunched up in immediate protest, his youthful protectiveness flaring. "We don’t need you," he declared, crossing his arms. "It’s fine with just Anabella and me."

Anabella placed a calming hand on James’s shoulder, sensing his need for control in a situation that had left him feeling powerless. "James," she said softly, "Noah’s just trying to help. And it might actually be nice to have more people around."

James opened his mouth to argue further but saw the gentle firmness in Anabella’s eyes. He sighed, reluctant but understanding her point. "Fine," he muttered, though his tone clearly conveyed he wasn’t thrilled about it.

"Great," Noah said with an easy grin, ignoring James’s grumbling. "Why don’t we make it a proper gathering? I can call Clair and have her join us. The more, the merrier, right?"

Anabella tilted her head, considering the idea. Her place wasn’t large, but she knew Clair’s presence would bring a sense of warmth and stability. "If Clair is up for it, why not?" she agreed. "It might actually help James feel more at ease."

Noah nodded, already pulling out his phone. "She’ll love it, trust me." He dialed Clair’s number, stepping away slightly as he filled her in on the impromptu sleepover.

As expected, Clair was more than happy to join, understanding the delicate situation with James and eager to support Anabella.

"Clair’s on her way," Noah announced as he returned. "She’ll bring some snacks and blankets too. It’ll be a proper sleepover party."

James, though still sulking slightly, perked up at the mention of snacks. Despite his reluctance to share Anabella’s attention, the promise of treats and the distraction of more company started to chip away at his annoyance.

Anabella smiled, relieved to see the tension beginning to ease. "Alright, let’s get everything ready then. We’ll set up the living room with more blankets and pillows."

Together, the three of them worked to transform the cozy living area above the bakery into a welcoming space. Anabella pulled out her collection of mismatched blankets and cushions, creating a soft nest on the floor. James, despite himself, began to get into the spirit, helping to arrange everything just so.

It wasn’t long before Clair arrived, her arms laden with bags of snacks and additional bedding. She immediately brought an air of comfort and lightness, her presence filling the space with a soothing energy.

"Look at this," she said cheerfully, surveying the setup. "You’ve done a great job, but let’s add a little more flair, shall we?" She produced a string of fairy lights from one of her bags, draping them along the walls to give the room a soft, warm glow.

James, watching Clair work, felt his earlier apprehension begin to melt away. The environment shifted from one of somber necessity to a gathering of support and companionship.

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere lightened further. They ate the snacks Clair had brought, played a few card games, and even managed to share a few laughs.

James, though still occasionally glancing at Anabella with a possessive air, gradually relaxed, joining in the games and conversations.

Anabella felt a deep sense of gratitude as she observed the scene. This wasn’t the evening she had anticipated, but it was exactly what was needed.

The presence of her friends, their willingness to rally around her and James, turned what could have been a difficult night into one of unexpected joy and support.

By the time they were all settled into their makeshift beds, the earlier tension had dissipated.

James, sandwiched between Anabella and Noah, finally allowed himself to drift into a peaceful sleep, his small form rising and falling steadily.

Anabella lay awake for a while longer, her mind whirling with the events of the day and the unexpected turns it had taken. She knew that James’s visit was only a temporary balm for his troubles and that they would have to face more challenges in the days to come. But for now, in this moment, surrounded by friends who cared deeply, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Noah, sensing her wakefulness, whispered softly, "We’ve got your back, Anabella. You’re not alone in this."

She turned her head, meeting his kind eyes in the dim light. "Thank you, Noah. I really appreciate everything."

"Anytime," he replied, a soft smile playing on his lips. "We’re all in this together."

As sleep finally claimed Anabella, she felt the weight of the world lift slightly off her shoulders, knowing she had a support system she could rely on.

While James was enjoying the impromptu sleepover with Anabella, Noah, and Clair, Daniel back home started to notice his son’s absence.

It took him a moment to realize that James was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through him as he called out for his son, frantically searching the house. The unsettling silence that followed only deepened his fear.

Daniel’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios, and his heart pounded as he grabbed his phone to call anyone who might have seen James, desperate to find him before anything terrible happened.