After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

AFTER I LEFT, ALPHA 154

Chapter 154

Alex's excitement returned as he searched, but the deeper he dug, the more frustrated he became. His small fingers rifled through every compartment, pulling out stray papers and forgotten trinkets. But the silk scarf he had picked out for his mother was nowhere to be found.

"I...." Alex's voice wavered, his confidence shrinking as he realized his mistake. “I think... I forgot to pack it."

For the first time that night, he looked embarrassed.

Nora, however, remained calm. She reached out and ruffled his hair lightly. "It's okay," she said simply.

It had been a long time since Alex had been close enough to Linda that he forgot to get her a gift. This

time, at least he had remembered.

That, in itself, was enough.

The next morning, as the scent of breakfast filled the house, Nora sipped her coffee and glanced over at

Alex. He was sitting on the couch, phone in hand, his small legs swinging as he chatted animatedly.

She didn't need to ask who he was talking to.

A moment later, Alex glanced up, noticing her presence. His expression brightened, and he quickly got up, walking over with the phone still in his hand.

"Mom, Dad wants to talk to you," he said, extending the device toward her.

Nora took a slow breath before reaching for the phone.

Nora picked up the phone with deliberate slowness, her fingers tightening slightly around the device as

she put it to her ear.

"What is it?" Her voice was cool, detached.

something about being busy. His words were vague, unbothered, like he was

see her. After two or three brief exchanges, she cut the call short, not interested in dragging

necessary.

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Chapter 154

set the phone down and exhaled, feeling neither anger nor disappointment.... only a quiet numbness that had settled long

another call

Leo.

a moment before answering.

undertone. "Guess who I just saw at the

already knew before

Linda," Leo continued, his voice laced with irritation. "Hand

going on

moment, Alex came over and asked, "Mom, who are you talking to on the phone?

play."

Arnold is going

son getting in the way, so he sent him straight to you?" Nora smiled faintly, her voice calm. "It's fine, Leo. It

walking all over you." Nora glanced at Alex, who was now rummaging through his book bag

said, "Leo,

Leo sighed heavily. "Fine. But you

ended the call and turned to Alex. "Alright, let's

few days, their

was always around, yet Nora barely spent time with him. Most of her hours were spent in front of her laptop, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she revised her research papers. Occasionally, Alex would come sit beside her,

could feel his quiet longing, but she didn't know how

wasn't like Arnold.... full of

them, filling the space with work, with

that, the last day of the vacation

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