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 small sense of

semblance of peace, even if the rest

picked up the phone and answered with a soft, almost tender tone,

he said, his voice a stark contrast to the silence that had blanketed the room moments ago.

reach for her

a dull ache in her chest as she watched him speak

his expression

intimacy in his tone

yet here she was feeling like

time and again not to let it get to her, that

no matter how many times the repeated the mantra, the hurt

call, shipping the phone into his

meet her

he said leakly, histone reverting to its

even though a knot was

course,” she said, her voce calm, almost too

constructed exterior.

Chapter 37

Alex’s small voice broke the silence. Tad, was that Aunt Linda

tracks, glancing back

“Yes,” he admitted

asked, his bright eyes flickering with

briefly

need to discuss

waiting for further questions, be exited the room, leaving an awkward

to his mother, his young face etched

go with Dad to see Aunt Linda?”

a smile. though her heart sank at

sweetheart,” she said gently.

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