Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0066

Hannah

The director was a kind, rosy–cheeked woman in her mid–fifties who introduced herself as Margaret. She beamed at Noah and me as she led the way inside the orphanage, chattering about the facility’s history and her dedication to providing the children with a warm, loving home.

I only half–listened, to be honest, too busy sneaking sidelong glances at Noah out of the corner of my eye. As promised, the slightly mangled paper crown was still perched on top of his head, although he kept reaching up to adjust it self–consciously every few minutes.

Unable to help myself, I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle a grin. He looked utterly mortified beneath that silly hat, his shoulders hunched and his gaze fixed firmly on the floor in front of him.

It was… well, kind of cute, in an odd way. Like a surly teenager accompanying his parents on a dreaded family outing.

Only instead of his mother, I was his wife. I wondered, as we wandered the orphanage, if I had ever even seen him be silly during our years of marriage. I certainly couldn’t remember a time.

What was marriage if we couldn’t be silly together?

After a few minutes of touring the common areas and playrooms, the director paused to turn and face us with a bright smile. “And this next area is–oh!”

My stomach chose that precise moment to let out a long, pitiful grumble, the noisy rumble echoing loudly in the tiled hallway. 1 flushed a deep shade of red, quickly moving my hand to cover my stomach. Unfortunately, after my bout of morning sickness, I hadn’t had the time or the stomach to eat the breakfast my handmaid had brought me.

The director, however, seemed utterly unbothered; perhaps spending the better part of your day with kids does that to you.

“It sounds like someone is in need of a meal,” the director said with a warm smile. “It’s about lunchtime: would you like me to have the kitchen prepare you something, Luna Hannah?”

“Oh no, there’s no need-” I started, keenly aware of Noah’s suddenly sharp gaze boring into the side of my head.

“But

you

Hannah!” one of the little girls, an adorable six–year–old with bright red pigtails and a button

chorus of childish agreement rose up all around me as the rest of the kids chimed in, their pleas swiftly becoming too impassioned to wave off. It seemed as though they

director a helpless look, but she simply laughed and held up her hands in a placating gesture. “Well, it seems you’ve been overruled.

I had an idea. “Actually,” I cut her off firmly, raising my hand, “if it’s not too much trouble, would you

me, clearly stunned,

Chapter 0066

+25 BONUS

whirled on him, bristling at the mocking gleam in his eyes. “What’s so funny, dear?” I asked, plastering a fake smile

I knew so well settling onto his chiseled features. What’s with you and cooking lately?” he teased, then leaned over to address the director. “Hannah

trying to keep his tone light as though he were merely teasing me, but I knew better. Still, I kept my smile

cook often,” I admitted. “But lately, I’ve been developing more of an interest in it. And I’d love to prepare something

again. But the director simply nodded and shot

“And it’ll be an excellent chance to show you our

way down the hall. I followed, casting one last glance at Noah out of the corner

but functional, appliances. I immediately felt at

clapping my hands together and turning to face the children. “How does everyone

scent of aromatic pasta sauce and freshly baked bread was wafting through the kitchen, practically making my mouth water, I chopped vegetables on a cutting board, delegating tasks to the workers

he made sure to stay right in the doorway, watching

chose to ignore

sauce simmering on the stove and the bread proofing on the counter. When her jaw dropped at the sight of the neat rows of unbaked

told you. I’ve been reading

shoulder, his eyes flickering almost begrudgingly toward the stove where the sauce was simmering. “I guess