The Bride Widow
Chapter 180 - 178: 48 hours alert - Part 1

Chapter 180: 178: 48 hours alert - Part 1

James spent the day at the bakery, quietly observing Lucy from his spot near Anabella. His young mind, sharp and curious, took note of her every move.

He watched as Lucy fumbled with tasks, her hands trembling slightly as if the weight of unseen pressure bore down on her. The tension in her movements was palpable, and it only increased as the day progressed.

Lucy seemed aware of James’s eyes on her, and it unnerved her. The more she noticed him watching, the more mistakes she made. A dropped tray here, a spilled cup of coffee there—small mishaps that gradually piled up, drawing attention from the other staff members.

By midday, Lucy’s anxiety reached its peak. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps as she realized the mounting errors she had made. The last straw came when she knocked over a stack of fresh pastries, sending them tumbling to the floor in a mess of crumbs and icing.

The crash echoed through the bakery, silencing the chatter and bustling activity. Everyone turned to look at Lucy, who stood frozen, her face a mask of horror.

Then, in a sudden burst of emotion, she crumpled to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I’ve messed everything up," she sobbed, her voice thick with despair. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to..."

The staff rushed to her side, their expressions filled with sympathy and concern. They murmured comforting words, reassuring her that everything was fine, that mistakes happened, and it wasn’t the end of the world.

Their kindness seemed to overwhelm Lucy further, her sobs growing louder, her body trembling as she hugged herself tightly.

James, standing on the sidelines, felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest. He tugged at Anabella’s sleeve, his eyes wide and filled with regret. "Anabella," he whispered, his voice heavy with the burden of responsibility, "I think this might be my fault. I’ve been watching her all day, and now she’s... like this."

Anabella crouched down beside him, her expression gentle yet firm. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

"James, this isn’t your fault," she said softly. "Lucy’s going through something that has nothing to do with you. Sometimes, people carry burdens we can’t see, and they react in ways that might seem strange to us."

James nodded slowly, though the guilt didn’t entirely leave his eyes. He watched as the staff helped Lucy to her feet, guiding her to a chair and offering her water. They continued to reassure her, their voices a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Anabella decided it was time to leave. She gathered her things and gently guided James toward the back door, slipping out quietly to avoid drawing more attention to themselves. As they made their way back to the apartment above the bakery, James remained quiet, his thoughts occupied by the day’s events.

Once inside, Anabella set about making a light snack for James, hoping to lift his spirits. She placed a plate of cookies on the table and poured two glasses of milk, then sat across from him. "James," she began, her tone inviting conversation, "how are you feeling?"

James shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "I don’t know. I just... I feel bad for her. And I don’t like feeling like I might have made things worse."

Anabella reached across the table, gently taking his hand in hers. "You didn’t make things worse," she reassured him.

"You were just being observant, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, people’s struggles aren’t visible until they break down, like what happened today. It’s okay to feel sorry for her, but remember, it’s not your responsibility to fix everything."

James considered her words, chewing on his lip thoughtfully. After a moment, he sighed. "I think... I think I want to go back home. I miss my dad, even though things aren’t great there right now."

Anabella nodded, understanding the conflicted emotions swirling within him. "If that’s what you want, I’ll help you get back home. But remember, you’re always welcome here if you need a break."

James managed a small smile, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and lingering sadness. "Thanks, Anabella."

Anabella smiled back, her heart aching for the young boy’s burden. "Anytime, James. Anytime."

As the evening wore on, Anabella decided it was time to call Daniel. She knew James was ready to go home, and despite the tension between her and Daniel, she couldn’t keep his son away from him any longer.

Dialing his number, she listened as the phone rang, half-expecting it to go to voicemail. But Daniel answered almost immediately, his voice tense and filled with worry.

"I’m already on my way," Daniel said, cutting off her greeting. "I’m just a few minutes from your place. I’ll be there soon."

Surprised, Anabella hung up and glanced at James, who was sitting on the couch, his eyes distant and thoughtful. "Your dad’s almost here," she told him softly. "He’ll be here to take you home."

James nodded but didn’t say much, his young face shadowed by an understanding far beyond his years. They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of them.

Before long, a knock at the door announced Daniel’s arrival. Anabella opened the door to find him standing there, his face a mixture of relief and something unspoken.

His eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it seemed as if he wanted to say something—perhaps a plea, an apology, or an explanation.

But whatever it was, he swallowed it down, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"James," he called gently, his gaze shifting to his son. James stood, walking over to his father, his small hand slipping into Daniel’s larger one.

They turned to leave, but Daniel hesitated, glancing back at Anabella. The words were still on the tip of his tongue, but he shook his head, choosing silence instead.

Without another word, he guided James away, leaving Anabella standing at the door, watching them until they disappeared down the street.

Anabella lingered for a moment, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she stood in the doorway. Her heart ached with the unresolved tension between her and Daniel, but she knew there was nothing left to say.

With a heavy sigh, she closed the door and made her way back to her bedroom, the quiet of the apartment pressing down on her as she slipped under the covers.

The day’s events played through her mind, but exhaustion soon claimed her, pulling her into a restless sleep.

The next morning, Anabella woke to the soft light filtering through the curtains. The previous night felt like a distant memory, but as she went through her morning routine, the weight of her unresolved relationship with Daniel lingered in the back of her mind.

Just as she was about to leave for the bakery, she noticed a letter sitting on her kitchen table. The envelope was plain, unassuming, but the sight of it sent a jolt through her.

She knew exactly what it was before she even opened it. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tore it open and unfolded the paper inside.

It was a letter from the court, informing her that her next divorce hearing was scheduled in two days.

The sight of the official language, the cold, impersonal tone, made her heart sink. She had been expecting it, but the reality of it still hit hard.

The finality of the divorce felt closer than ever, and with it came a mix of emotions—relief, sadness, and a lingering sense of what could have been.

Anabella sat down at the table, reading the letter again, as if the words might change. They didn’t.

Two days. She had two days to prepare herself for the next step in ending her marriage to Daniel.

It wasn’t just about severing the legal ties; it was about letting go of the dreams they once shared, the life they had built together, and the future that would never be.

Taking a deep breath, Anabella folded the letter and set it aside. There was no use in dwelling on what was to come. She had to be ready, to face it head-on.

Gathering her resolve, she got up and began to get ready for her day, knowing that the next 48 hours would be crucial.

She would prepare herself for the hearing, for the final Chapter of her marriage. And she would face whatever came with the strength she knew she had within her.

As she dressed for the day, Anabella reminded herself that this was a necessary step toward reclaiming her life.

The memories of her past with Daniel would always be there, but she needed to move forward, for her own sake and for those who cared about her. With each moment that passed, her determination grew stronger.

She would face the hearing with dignity, knowing she had done everything she could.

Anabella took one last glance at the letter before leaving her apartment, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead, and to finally find peace in the new Chapter of her life.