Chapter 38

sking up. “I just wanted to say hi.“

Aunt Linda,” Alex replied without looking up.

Nora’s chest tightened, but she said nothing. She didn’t stop him.

The car ride continued in silence, save for the fam tapping of Mex’s hugers on his phone,

Nora kept her eyes on the road, though her mind was elsewhere.

She told herself it didn’t matter, that Linda’s presence in Alex’s life didn’t diminish her role as his mother.

But the lingering ache told a different story.

The message from Linda arrived just as Alex was putting his books into his backpack

He glanced at his phone, his heart pounding in worry.

**Just a minor illness, AlexTM Linda’s text read. “No need to worry. Rest up, focus on school, and I’ll be fine.“”

Alex frowned, chewing his bottom lip.

He knew Linda hated being fussed over, but her vague assurances didn’t sit well with him.

His fingers flew over his phone screEIL

**Til come by right after school, Aunt Linda. Don’t try to talk me out of it.”

before

phone into his pocket, he recalled asking his mom, Nora, to make

made

even react when I told her Id visit

that mean she’s okay with it?

appeased. Alex’s mood

to school, his steps light with

window, watching Alex’s retreating figure with a small,

soft sigh and turned to

circled in

to herself, her voice tinged with relief and apprehension “After today. I can finally focus entirely on my

collected her

the office, the usual hum of activity buzzed around her, but something felt off

The as if

at id anticipation had

her deck with a pouty expression, her clan resting

Megan? Nora asked,

was really looking forward to seeing him today. You know, his presence just makes the day so much better.”

Chapter 38

urge to roll

most of their colleagues humored

a good reason, Nora

down, though, she suspected why Arnold hadn’t shown up.

afternoon rolled around, Nora felt a dull ache building

stretched before heading to the pantry for

of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, soothing her

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