The Bride Widow
Chapter 179 - 177: He’s changed - Part 2

Chapter 179: 177: He’s changed - Part 2

Anabella awoke feeling more rested than she had in days, the peaceful sleep a rare reprieve from the whirlwind of recent events. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over her modest room.

She stretched, savoring the calm, only to notice James sitting by her bedside, clutching her phone, his face shadowed with worry.

"James?" Her voice was soft, gentle. "What’s wrong?"

James didn’t respond immediately. His small hands gripped the phone tightly, his knuckles whitening under the strain.

He glanced up at her, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions—fear, uncertainty, longing. After a moment, he whispered, "I... I miss my dad. I want to call him, but I don’t know if I should."

Anabella’s heart tightened. The sight of the young boy, burdened by such complex emotions, stirred a deep well of empathy within her. She moved to sit beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "James, it’s okay to miss him. He’s your dad. Why don’t we call him together?"

James hesitated, his lips trembling as he considered her offer. Eventually, he nodded, and Anabella took the phone from his hands, dialing Daniel’s number. The first attempt went to voicemail, heightening the tension in the room.

James fidgeted, his fingers twitching against his legs. On the second try, Daniel answered, his voice a blend of relief and anxiety.

"Anabella? What... why are you calling?" Daniel’s tone was edged with panic.

"Daniel," Anabella said gently, "James came to see me. He’s safe, but he’s with me now."

A heavy sigh echoed through the line. "Thank God... Is he okay? Can I talk to him?"

Anabella handed the phone to James, whose small hands trembled slightly as he brought it to his ear. "Dad?" His voice was quiet, uncertain, like he feared the reaction on the other end.

"James, I was so worried about you!" Daniel’s relief was palpable, his voice softening. "Why did you leave without telling me? Please, come home."

James’s gaze darted to Anabella, seeking silent reassurance. The thought of returning home filled him with dread. He didn’t want to face the cold, impersonal atmosphere his father’s new mate brought into their lives. "I... I don’t know, Dad," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Anabella, sensing his hesitation, leaned in closer. "James, if you need more time, it’s okay to say so. You don’t have to go back if you’re not ready."

James’s eyes shimmered with gratitude, and he found the courage to speak. "Dad, can I stay with Anabella a little longer? I just... I’m not ready to come back yet."

The line went silent, the weight of James’s words sinking in. Daniel’s voice, when it finally came, was subdued, filled with understanding despite the pain. "If that’s what you need, James. Just let me know you’re safe. I love you, son."

"I love you too, Dad," James said, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.

After the call ended, James handed the phone back to Anabella, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had been lifted only to be replaced by another burden.

He curled up on the couch, hugging his knees to his chest, seeking the small comfort his body could offer.

Anabella sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his small frame, offering him the warmth and security he craved. "You can stay here as long as you need, James. We’ll figure things out together."

James nodded, leaning into her, finding solace in her steady presence. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a glimmer of hope. The walls of Anabella’s home, though simple, enveloped him with a sense of safety he hadn’t felt in a long time. It was a sanctuary, away from the chaos, where he could breathe and begin to heal.

Anabella’s heart ached for the boy, seeing the depth of his pain and confusion. She knew the complexities of his situation and the emotional turmoil he must be going through.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly, not wanting to push but offering an ear if he needed it.

James shook his head, his voice muffled against her side. "Not now. Just... can we stay like this for a while?"

"Of course," Anabella replied, smoothing down his hair in gentle, soothing strokes. "As long as you need, James."

They stayed there, the silence between them comfortable and healing, broken only by the soft sounds of the world waking up outside. For James, this moment was a rare reprieve, a chance to feel like a child again, protected and cared for.

As the morning wore on, Anabella’s mind drifted to Daniel, imagining his anguish and the challenges he faced. She wished there were an easy solution, but she knew that the path forward would be complicated for all of them.

Still, for James’s sake, she was willing to do whatever it took to make things a little easier, one small step at a time.

______

The morning light filtered into Anabella’s modest home, signaling the start of a new day. Clair and Noah stirred from their makeshift sleeping arrangements, their expressions softening when they noticed Anabella already awake and tending to James, who still clung to her side like a lifeline.

Clair approached Anabella, her eyes filled with concern. "Would you like us to look after James today? You’ve been through a lot, and we’re happy to help."

Noah nodded in agreement. "It wouldn’t be any trouble at all, Anabella. We can keep him entertained while you go about your day."

Anabella hesitated, her gaze shifting between the two alphas and the boy beside her. It was a generous offer, and she knew they meant well.

But she didn’t want to impose on them, especially after everything they had done for her already. She gave them a grateful smile.

"Thank you, both of you, but I think I’ll take James with me to work today. I don’t want to cause any more trouble."

Clair opened her mouth to protest, but Anabella shook her head gently. "Really, I appreciate it, but I’ll feel better if I keep an eye on him myself. It’s only for a little while."

Reluctantly, Clair and Noah accepted her decision, though they exchanged a glance that spoke volumes about their shared concern. They trusted Anabella’s judgment but still felt protective over both her and James.

Anabella prepared James for the day, helping him dress and ensuring he had a hearty breakfast before they set out for the bakery.

As they walked through the streets, James’s small hand tucked securely in hers, Anabella felt a sense of calm despite the looming uncertainties. At least here, at the bakery, she could provide James with a semblance of normalcy.

When they arrived, the staff greeted James warmly, their smiles and kind words a welcome contrast to the tension that had gripped them in recent days.

James seemed to relax in their presence, his young face lighting up with the innocent joy that children often find in new places.

But not everyone shared the same enthusiasm. Lucy stood off to the side, her expression dark and brooding.

She barely acknowledged James, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Anabella settle him in.

James, observant for his age, didn’t miss Lucy’s reaction. He tugged at Anabella’s sleeve, drawing her attention.

"Anabella," he whispered, his voice low, "that lady doesn’t seem happy to see me. She looks like she wants to cause trouble."

Anabella glanced at Lucy, her heart sinking a little.

She had hoped that bringing James to the bakery would ease the tension, but it seemed Lucy’s resentment ran deeper than she had anticipated. She knelt down to James’s level, offering him a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry about her, James. Just focus on having a good day, okay? Sometimes people have bad days, and it’s not always about us."

James frowned, clearly unconvinced. He didn’t like the way Lucy looked at Anabella, and something about her demeanor set off alarm bells in his young mind.

But he trusted Anabella, and if she said to ignore it, he would try. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucy’s sour attitude was more than just a bad day.

Throughout the morning, Anabella kept a close eye on James while tending to her duties. The staff adored him, chatting with him and offering him little tasks to keep him busy.

James enjoyed the attention, but his eyes frequently wandered back to Lucy, who seemed intent on making Anabella’s day more difficult.

Lucy’s passive-aggressive behavior didn’t escape Anabella’s notice either. She could see the subtle ways Lucy tried to sabotage her work—misplacing ingredients, mixing up orders, and glaring when she thought no one was watching.

It was exhausting, but Anabella held her composure, determined not to let Lucy’s actions disrupt her day or affect James’s experience.

As the morning stretched into the afternoon, James grew more comfortable, his earlier concerns about Lucy pushed to the back of his mind.

Anabella watched him with a soft smile, hoping that this small bit of normalcy could offer him some peace amidst the chaos of his home life. She resolved to protect this bubble of safety for as long as she could, even if it meant dealing with Lucy’s hostility silently.