After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 139

Alex's voice was bright with excitement as he ran toward her, his little arms swinging the hard p the steps.

Surprised, she crouched slightly as he approached, steadying him when he threw his arms avoward hy waist.

"Hey, what are you doing here so late?" she asked gently, smoothing his slightly tousled hair.

The driver, a middle-aged man in a crisp uniform, stepped out of the car and gave her a small and

"Mr. Arnold asked me to bring him," he said simply, before returning to the vehicle without further explanation.

Nora's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched the car reverse out of the courtyard.

Arnold hadn't even bothered to bring Alex himself? Again?

She sighed and looked down at the child.

"Come on," she said, ruffling his hair. "Let's get you cleaned up for bed."

Alex, still cheerful, chattered about his day as she guided him upstairs. He took a quick shower, changed into the soft pajamas she kept for him, and crawled under the blankets.

As she tucked him in, he reached out and held her hand. "Will you stay until I fall asleep?"

Her heart softened. "Of course."

She sat beside him, rubbing slow circles on his back until his breathing evened out. The moment his small fingers relaxed their grip on hers, she stood, carefully tucking the blanket around him before

heading back to her own room.

pulled out her phone

notice. And don't send Alex

if he didn't see it or

didn't message her back for the rest of the

predicted, he didn't reply until the next morning-just as she was dropping Alex off at school. The message

11:31

father and son

Chapter 139

"Yes."

stared at the screen for a moment before locking

week, her paper had passed Colton's review and was officially submitted. A sense of relief settled

dinner's on us,"

surprise, this time

conversation at the

a short distance

sat silently, fingers tapping absently against

alone-Abby, still half-drowsy from her nap, was curled up in the passenger

watching as Nora, Leo, and Colton sat at

Colton leaned in slightly when speaking to her, the casual way Nora responded,

in a position

a better relationship, Leo instead sometimes shaking his head helplessly because he couldn't get

be superior to his own. At the time, Cole hadn't thought much of

watching them interact, a realization settled uncomfortably in his mind.

choices were driven by personal attachment rather

Charles arrived at

and Flora.

lit up instantly when she saw Cole, and she greeted him excitedly, "Cole, long time no