After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 80

Nora’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

She had anticipated resistance, but hearing it still made something twist in her chest.

“Grandma’s birthday only comes once a year, Alex. You can visit Aunt Linda anytime,” she said, keeping her voice even.

A sigh came from the other side. “I guess…” He didn’t sound convinced.

Nora closed her eyes briefly.

She knew pressing him further would only make him more resistant, so instead, she decided on another approach.

Later that evening, she found Arnold at his cottage, sitting in his usual chair, flipping idly through an old book. He barely looked up when she entered.

“Can you talk to Alex?” she asked without preamble.

Arnold turned a page, his face impassive. “About what?”

“Grandma’s birthday. He’s reluctant to come. Maybe if you talk to him, he’ll reconsider,” she said, crossing her arms.

Arnold finally glanced at her, studying her for a moment. “And you’re not going to ask me to come?”

Nora looked away. “That’s not what this is about.”

He exhaled through his nose, closing the book. “Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll talk to him.”

That was all she needed. She left without another word, walking back home with Alex. They barely spoke, and though she tried to brush off the lingering discomfort, it clung to her like a shadow.

Saturday arrived with a quiet kind of joy.

The house was filled with the warm scent of baked pastries and fresh flowers, the soft murmur of family members exchanging laughter and greetings.

Nora watched as her uncle Alexander presented his carefully chosen gift to Grandma, a beautifully embroidered shawl in her favorite shade of deep blue.

her, Alex shifted awkwardly, hands empty.

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Chapter 80

gentle gaze

with a smile, expecting nothing extravagant, only a

with a look of slight embarrassment.

anything,” he admitted. His shoulders tensed, as if bracing

of

still a kid, Alex. What Mom and Dad prepare is what you prepare, too,” she

instantly. “Oh,”

oblivious to the way Nora’s

Linda’s birthday–not only remembering the date but counting down the days, eagerly anticipating it as

had put thought into it, made it a priority.

had money to buy a gift, he could have drawn something–he was more than capable

of it. Not

it was that realization that had made her reluctant to remind him in the

thoughts swirling beneath the surface like an unmoving tide.

Nora took out the herbal wine she had prepared and handed it

the faint yet distinct fragrance of aged herbs

air.

this… full–moon herbal wine?” Grandma murmured, eyes widening with

Grandma. I knew you

lady’s gaze as she looked at her granddaughter. “This

Nora admitted with a small smile, not mentioning Leo’s involvement.

Grandma’s lips as she turned the wine pot in her hands.

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Chapter 80

her tone laced with nostalgia. “Back then, only the most

of admiration rippled through the family.

who knew little about wine recognized its rarity. Some exchanged glances, impressed that Nora had managed

wooden carving of the werewolf howling at the moon. She whispered, “Grandmother, Arnold wasn’t here today, but he asked

depicting an ancient oak tree with twisting branches and