After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 73

Arnold calmly replied, “No, I can afford to pay that back.”

His tone was flat, unbothered, as if the conversation held no weight.

He loosened his bow tie, placed it carefully on the dresser beside his wristwatch, and disappeared into the bathroom. The soft sound of running water filled the silence.

Nora stood frozen, gripping the equity transfer document. Her eyes lingered on the paper for a moment before she exhaled and slid it into a drawer.

A strange feeling stirred in her chest.

This was the first thing Arnold had ever willingly given her since their marriage. It wasn’t affection, wasn’t trust–it was just paperwork.

Yet, it still meant something. She just wasn’t sure what.

That weekend, at Arnold’s grandmother’s insistence, the three of them–Arnold, Nora, and their daughter Alex–traveled to the Hot Springs Lodge.

Nora never refused Grandmother’s arrangements.

It wasn’t about respect so much as habit. She simply complied, setting aside her work

It was easier that way.

I protest.

The lodge was nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by towering pines and a crisp, cool breeze that carried the scent of fresh snow.

The natural hot springs let off wisps of steam, making the place feel almost dreamlike in the late afternoon glow.

Arnold stepped away to take a phone call.

before she noticed familiar faces–Charles and Cole. She had barely

coming in a few minutes,” he announced

“Really?” he asked eagerly. But then, as if remembering something, his

12:12

Chapter 73

Im sure your mom has things to do.

She wasn’t wanted here.

nodded with a polite smile.

smug. Alex looked

later to find Nora gone. He glanced

the room,” Alex

didn’t change. He simply nodded, as if it

large window, laptop open, trying to focus on her work. The rhythmic clicking of keys echoed

had always been her escape–a world where emotions didn’t dictate outcomes, where logic and skill determined

how hard she tried, her mind

had looked at her earlier, the excitement on his face when Linda’s name was mentioned… The way Arnold

temples. *Why am I even

a knock on the

opened it to find a staff member

here’s your meal.”

frowned. “I didn’t

by Alpha,” the staff

react. Then the meaning

Arnold.

her chest. Arnold had ordered food for her? That was