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.

fast,”

tilted her head. “Really?”

Chapter 63

nodded. “She’s usually very cautious around strangers.”

didn’t seem cautious at all now. She rested her head lightly against Nora’s

trust.

through the little girl’s slightly damp curls. “Maybe

hummed, still observing.

guest room, Cole’s

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

take this,”

Abby down. Tll

away, Abby’s big brown eyes darted to Nora, and she reached out her hands.

hold me,” she

giving in, picking her up and holding her close. Abby snuggled

the edge of Nora’s soft

hands played with the fabric

without warning, she tugged–just a little too hard.

of

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

skin.

second, time

phone–just in time to

freeze in place. His eyes darkened,

what he was doing, he

burned with heat, though whether from embarrassment or something else, she

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Chapter 63

heavy silence settled between