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.”

Nuca couldn’t help but feel a small sense of relief.

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

the phone and answered with

voice a stark contrast to the silence that had blanketed the room moments

hand froze mud reach for her glass of water.

felt a dull ache in her chest as

expression unreadable

intimacy in his tone stung

yet here

let it get to her, that she was above these emotions.

how many times the repeated the mantra, the

call, shipping the phone into his

didn’t meet her

leakly, histone reverting to its usual detached

face neutral even though

said, her voce calm, almost too ralm.

constructed exterior.

Chapter 37

small voice broke the silence. Tad,

stopped in his tracks, glancing back

“Yes,” he admitted

her?” Alex asked, his

hesitated briefly

I need to discuss some things with her.”

room, leaving

mother, his young

I go with Dad

forced a smile. though her heart sank at

sweetheart,” she said gently.