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

semblance of peace, even if the rest of

picked up the phone and answered with a

contrast to the silence that

mud reach for

dull ache in her chest as she watched him

turned slightly away, his expression unreadable but unmistakably focused

intimacy in his

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

again not to let it get to her,

the hurt was always there,

phone into his

meet her

said leakly, histone reverting to

face neutral even though a knot was tightening

she said, her voce calm, almost

constructed exterior.

Chapter 37

leave, Alex’s small voice broke the silence. Tad,

glancing back

“Yes,” he admitted

asked, his

briefly before nodding

I need to discuss

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

his mother, his young face etched with

can I go with Dad to see Aunt

a smile. though her heart

sweetheart,” she

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