Chapter 37

“Mom,” Alex chirped, breaking Arnold’s train of thought. “Can you cook dinner for me tonight? Like you used 107”

Nora opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the shrill ring of Arnold’s phone cut through the moment,

All eyes turned to him as he pulled the device from his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his face tightening ever so slightly.

The name “Linda” flashed on the caller ID.

Nora’s expression didn’t change, but the silence that followed was telling.

Alex’s excitement dimmed as he noticed the shift in the atmosphere.

Arnold hesitated before answering.

“Excuse me,” he muttered, pushing his chair back and stepping out of the room.

Arnold’s voice, though muffled, carried from the hallway.

Nora couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable–soft, attentive.

It didn’t bother her the way it might have before. Instead, it was as if a wall separated her from the emotions she used to feel about Arnold

Alex rugged on her sleeve.

“You’ll still cook, at night, right?”

Nora smiled down at him, pushing her own thoughts aside.

“Of course. We’ll make something delicious together.”

but feel a

of peace, even if the rest of

phone and answered with a soft, almost

to the silence that had blanketed the room moments ago.

reach for her glass

felt a dull ache in her chest as she watched him speak

away, his expression unreadable

intimacy in his tone stung

years loving this man, defending their bond, and yet here she was feeling like a spectator in her own

let it get to her, that she was

times the repeated the mantra, the

the call, shipping the phone into his

didn’t meet her gaze

go,” he said leakly, histone reverting to its usual

neutral even though a

said, her voce calm, almost too

constructed exterior.

Chapter 37

the silence. Tad,

glancing

“Yes,” he admitted

see her?” Alex asked, his

hesitated briefly

I need to discuss some things

the room, leaving an awkward

turned to his mother, his young face

I go with Dad to

her heart sank at the question.

can ask him, sweetheart,” she

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