Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The sound of a door opening startled him, and he shot up, hope lighting lus face. “Mon?”

But the figure stepping through wasn’t Nora

Arnold entered, his broad shoulders casting a shadow against the hallway light.

Alex’s face fell slightly, disappointment etched in his expression

“““It’s just you,” he murmured, his tone soft but unmistakably let down.

Arnold crouched to meet his son’s eyes, his voice firm yet comforting.

Your mother is busy tonight, Alex. But she’ll pick you up from school tomorrow.”

Alex’s frown eased a little at the reassurance, though his pout lingered “She’s coming for sure?”

“For sure.” Arnold said, ruffling his son’s hair. “Now, off to bed, young man. No more waiting up.”

With a heavy sigh, Alex trudged to his room, his small footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Once the door to his room clicked shut, Arnold straightened, his calm demeanor slipping just slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

He walked to his study, the quiet house enveloping him.

Settling into the chair behind his desk, he flipped open a file of work papers but found himself unable to focus.

Nora had been gone too long.

The next morning, Alex was up earlier than usual, excitement buzzing through him,

favorite shirt, and packed his school bag neatly.

neck toward the front

the maid said kindly, “you’ll need your strength for the day. Have a few more

was too distracted

from the previous night replaced by a

of anticipation.

time he needed to leave, and Alex planted himself by the

be here soon,” he murmured to himself, his small

having her attention again, made his heart

was content to

stood at the edge of the driveway, staring at the villa she had

hadn’t faded, the walls were

felt foreign

that owe filled this place

realized in wasn’t the villa that had changed–it

woman who had once been trapped in those walls had walked out, leaving

Chapter 36

open the heavy door and stepped

Taking a deep

the living room, standing near the large windows

cast a soft glow on his sharp features.

he heard her

neither of them

between them was heavy, a mixture of familiarity and a distance that

could, the sound of

Alex’s voice rang out as he

fhing his arms around her, burying his face in

much,” he mumbled,

to his level holding him close and running her fingers through his soft

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