After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 25

His gaze flickered, and he let go of her, stepping back. “It’s fine,” he said quickly. “I’ll see you later.”

“You’re sure?” Nora pressed, concerned.

Alex thought to himself. “I have to go to Linda’s game tonight anyway. If she comes home early, you’ll just nag me not to play with her,”

Nora raised an eyebrow but decided not to push further. “Alright then. Go on in, and don’t keep your teacher waiting.”

“Okay.” Alex gave her a quick grin before running inside.

Just before he disappeared, he called out, “You should visit school more often–I’ve been doing really well!”

Nora waved after him, her smile lingering even as he disappeared into the classroom.

She stood for a moment, watching through the window as Alex joined his classmates and began his training exercises with the same determination he always had.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of her phone.

BETA Cody had requested a meeting, reminding her that today was the handover for her current responsibilities.

With a final glance at the schoolyard, she turned and headed toward the office.

As Nora walked out of the school gates, she couldn’t help but glance back one last time at the colorful chaos of children playing and chatting.

Alex had already disappeared into his classroom, but the image of his proud grin lingered in her mind.

pavement as she made her way

the rearview

cabin as she navigated out of the parking lot, merging into the steady flow of morning

earlier words, the way he had clung to her and then so quickly let go, brushing off his emotions with a cheerful front.

a red light, she glanced at her phone on the passenger seat,

their exchanges had seemed playful on the surface, but Nora couldn’t

was growing, and though it wasn’t necessarily

competitive, qualities

wonder if his eagerness to impress Linda was overshadowing other important lessons–kindness, humility, patience.

harmless for now, but

traffic, the weight

head slightly, trying to push away the

child, figuring out his emotions

her job to guide him,

office building came into view, she took a deep breath.

to let

and Megan to familiarize with the ins and outs of

into the parking lot and turned off the engine, Alex’s face lingered in her

08:40

Alpha father

22.6%

Chapter 25

boy had a way of making

see Arnold… Instead, Cody approached her