After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 63

The moment Cole spotted the little girl in Nora’s arms, his face tensed with worry. He strode forward with urgency, his sharp eyes scanning Abby’s damp clothes and trembling hands.

“Abby,” he breathed, kneeling down to her level. “Are you okay?”

The little girl sniffled but nodded. Her wet eyelashes clumped together, and she clung to Nora’s sleeve, hesitant to let go.

“She fell into the hot spring,” Nora explained calmly. “I pulled her out right away. She was scared, but

she’s fine now.”

Cole exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. His jaw, which had been tight with anxiety, loosened as relief swept over him. He turned to Nora, his gaze filled with something unspoken–gratitude, perhaps, or maybe something else.

“Thank you,” he said simply, but the sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. “She’s not usually this careless.”

Nora gave a small smile. “Curiosity gets the best of children.”

Cole nodded, then turned his attention back to Abby. “Let’s get you changed, okay?”

Abby nodded again, this time more eagerly, but even as Cole scooped her up, she cast a longing glance back at Nora.

Later, after changing Abby into dry clothes, Cole brought her to the dining area where Nora sat sipping warm tea. The scent of fresh bread and herbal steam filled the air.

As soon as Abby saw Nora, she hesitated for a brief second, then tugged at Cole’s sleeve. “Uncle… I want to

sit with Auntie.”

Cole raised a brow. “Auntie?” he repeated, glancing at Nora with mild amusement.

Nora chuckled. “I guess I’ve been promoted.”

Abby, small and shy, climbed onto the chair beside Nora, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

usually warm up to people this fast,”

tilted her head. “Really?”

Chapter 63

very

at all now. She rested her head lightly

trust.

little girl’s slightly damp curls. “Maybe she just

still observing.

guest room, Cole’s

as they returned to the phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen, then let out a quiet sigh.

need to take

down, gently setting Abby down. Tll be back in a few minutes.”

stepped away, Abby’s big brown eyes darted

hold me,” she

brief moment before giving in, picking

with the edge of Nora’s soft bathrobe.

passed peacefully as they sat together. Abby’s tiny hands played with the fabric absently,

tugged–just a

knot of Nora’s robe

fabric slipped from her shoulders, and before she could react, she felt the cool air against her

skin.

second,

into the room. His gaze lifted from his phone–just in

flawless, snow–white skin made him freeze in place. His eyes darkened, his

realizing what he was doing, he

back into place. Her face burned with heat, though whether from embarrassment

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Chapter 63

heavy silence settled between them.