Chapter 34

Cody rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. “What is going on here? She’s not even

n pretending to care anymore.”

But Nora paid no attention to Cody’s disbelief.

Once Megan understood the process. Nora excused herself, leaving the office without so much as a backward glance.

At home. Nora immersed herself in her work, sketching designs at her drafting table.

The lines of her pencil flowed across the paper, creating intricate patterns and shapes.

Her mind was focused and clear, a rare and precious state she cherished.

Then her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away.

She picked it up and saw Alex’s name flashing on the screen.

With a sigh, she answered.

Helor

“Mom” Alex said, his tone direct, “can you come home and cook dinner for me?”

Nora’s pencil paused mid stroke. “Alex,” she said carefully, Tm in the middle of something important. I can’t drop everything and come over right now. Maybe another time.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, followed by Alex’s indignant reply.

“What? You’re too busy to cook for me? Mom, come on. I’m hungry, and I want your coolding.”

Nora exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose.

not that I don’t want to cook for you, but I can’t make the

dropped everything

him with something trivial, she had always put him and Arnold at

days, too, were behind her.

unaccustomed to this version of his mother. “I don’t care if you’re busy,” he said stubbornly. “You’re

his phone

simmered into anger.

make his

himself. He expected

how it always went.

silence stretched, and no

her workspace, Nora felt a dull

soothe the growing headache, but the sharp ding of a notification

stole her attention.

a message from Lea.

we

here without your

through her calend

tight, and she was already pushing herself

31.14

and sat went ind

Chapter 34

quickly typed back

everything ready in the next few days. Let

was Instant.

ויו

counting on you. Things are chantic here, and your designs are

company’s development

the conversation, and the tension of deadlines overshadowed Alex’s earlier tantrum.

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