After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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.”

grin returned, and Nuca couldn’t help but feel

joy, she found a semblance of peace, even if the rest of the house felt like a storm waiting to break.

and answered with a soft, almost tender

his voice a stark contrast to the silence

froze mud reach for her glass of

felt a dull ache in her chest as she

slightly away, his expression unreadable but unmistakably focused

his tone

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

time and again not to let it get

the mantra, the

into

didn’t meet her

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

neutral even though a knot was tightening

her voce

constructed exterior.

Chapter 37

voice broke the silence. Tad, was that

glancing back

“Yes,” he admitted

to see her?” Alex asked, his bright

briefly before

to discuss some things with her.”

further questions, be exited the room, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the

to his mother, his

Dad to see Aunt

though her heart

sweetheart,” she said gently.