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,” Cole murmured, watching the interaction

her

Chapter 63

usually very cautious around

now. She rested her head

trust.

little girl’s slightly damp curls. “Maybe she

still

guest room, Cole’s

frowned at the screen, then let

to take this,” he muttered.

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

eyes darted to Nora,

me,” she whispered.

before giving in, picking her up

playing with the edge of Nora’s

as they sat together. Abby’s tiny hands played with the

she tugged–just

knot of Nora’s robe

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

skin.

second,

the room. His gaze lifted from his phone–just in time to see Nora’s white lace

made him freeze in

he was doing, he swiftly

softly, hurriedly pulling the robe back into place. Her face burned with heat, though whether from embarrassment or something else, she couldn’t

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Chapter 63

settled between