Chapter 74

Guilt settled in Nora’s chest. “I know, sweetheart. I’ve just been busy.”

Abby brightened. “That’s okay! Guess what? I started painting! Uncle Cole got me a big sketchbook, and I drew a picture of you!”

Nora blinked in surprise. “You did?”

Abby nodded enthusiastically. “Wait! Let me show you!”

She disappeared off–screen, rustling through papers.

Nora glanced at Cole. His face was unreadable, but there was a quiet softness in his eyes.

A moment later, Abby returned, holding up a simple drawing–her and Nora standing together, both smiling.

Nora’s throat tightened. “That’s beautiful, Abby,” she said warmly. “You’re very talented.”

Abby beamed. “Come see me soon, okay?”

Before Nora could respond, a voice called Abby’s name from the background. The little girl pouted. “I have to go! Bye, Auntie! Bye, Uncle Cole!”

The call ended. Silence lingered between Nora and Cole.

The two strolled through Spa Hills at night, the sound of rustling leaves and distant murmurs of other guests filling the silence between them.

The moonlight cast long shadows along the pathway, and the cool night breeze carried the faint scent of pine and mineral water from the hot springs.

Cole’s phone call with Abby had ended minutes ago, yet the words still lingered in Nora’s mind.

When he had turned to her and said, “Abby likes you a lot,” there had been something strange in his tone–something softer than she had ever heard from him before.

from the corner of her

powerful and cold werewolf, a man of few words

emotions.

through arrogance but

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Clupter 24

on his face that could be called gentle, yet tonight, there was something almost warm in his expression.

side after all,” she

didn’t last much longer. On the side of the road, a figure stood watching them, her delicate features barely concealed by the flickering light from the nearby

Linda.

slightly as she took in the sight of

it made her uncomfortable, though she masked it well with a

her voice

Nora, she tilted her head

her position in the

to. With practiced ease, she stepped back.

meeting tonight,” she murmured. “You two enjoy the party.”

response, her footsteps quiet against

party

begin. Laughter and music spilled from the event hall, filling the air with

high spirits, leaned toward Alex with an amused glint in his eyes. “Go ask your mom if she wants to

she wanted

the party made him uneasy, as if her presence

had been going smoothly–chatter, soft laughter, the occasional clinking of glases.. Chit and

chat..

before he could respond, Arnold stood

go,” he stated simply.

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