After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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.

don’t want to cook for you, but I can’t make the trip today. You

would have dropped everything to fulfill Alex’s

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

days, too,

unaccustomed to this version of his mother. “I don’t care if you’re busy,” he said stubbornly. “You’re my mom, and you’re supposed to take care of me. If

slammed his phone onto the t

his frustration simmered into

his favorite

Mommy doing this?” he muttered to himself. He expected Nora

it always went.

the silence stretched, and no familiar ringtone interrupted his sulking.

her workspace, Nora felt a dull ache forming at her

growing headache, but the sharp ding of

stole her attention.

message

can we expect

here without

through

she was already pushing herself

31.14

and sat went ind

Chapter 34

quickly typed back

next few days. Let me confirm

response was Instant.

ויו

counting on you. Things are chantic here,

development plans, diving deep into design specifics

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