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.

this fast,” Cole murmured, watching the interaction with quiet curiosity.

her

Chapter 63

nodded. “She’s usually very cautious

cautious at all now. She rested her head lightly against Nora’s arm, a soft sign of

trust.

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

still

guest room, Cole’s

the phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen, then let

need to take

down, gently setting Abby down. Tll be

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

hold me,”

before giving in, picking her up and holding her

with the edge of Nora’s soft bathrobe.

together. Abby’s tiny hands played with the fabric absently, her sleepy eyes

she tugged–just a little

knot of Nora’s robe unraveled.

before she could react, she felt the

skin.

second,

his phone–just in time to

in place.

doing, he swiftly turned away, his jaw clenched.

pulling the robe back into place. Her face burned with heat, though whether from embarrassment or something else,

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Chapter 63

settled between them.