After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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,

choosing his favorite shirt,

has food, craning his neck toward the front door every time he heard the

need your strength for the day.

Alex was too

a smile, his disappointment from the previous night replaced

of anticipation.

leave, and Alex planted himself by the window, his face pressed against the glass.

soon,” he murmured to himself, his small

his mother, of having her attention again,

now, he was

edge of the driveway, staring at the villa she had called house for

hadn’t faded, the walls were still pristine, the garden immaculately trimmed

felt foreign

vibrant memories of laughter, warmth, and love that owe filled this place seemed like distant echoes

the villa that had changed–it was her

in those walls had walked out, leaving behind an old version of herself.

Chapter 36

the heavy door and stepped inside.

Taking a deep

was already in the living room, standing near the large windows with his

streaming through cast a soft glow

he heard her enter, his expression unreadable.

a moment, neither of them

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

as if to speak, but before he could, the sound of

as he bounded down the staircase,

time to brace herself before Alex fhing his arms around her, burying

much,” he mumbled, his voice muffled

level holding him close and running her fingers through his soft