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

adorable six–year–old with bright red pigtails and a button nose, piped

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

look, but she simply laughed and held up her hands in

idea. “Actually,” I cut her off firmly, raising my hand, “if it’s not too

me. The director gaped at me, clearly stunned, while Noah

Chapter 0066

+25 BONUS

gleam in his eyes. “What’s so funny, dear?”

chiseled features. What’s with you and cooking lately?”

tone; he was clearly trying to keep his tone light as though he were merely teasing me, but I knew better. Still,

I admitted. “But lately, I’ve been developing more of an interest in it. And I’d love

into me again. But the director simply nodded and

“And it’ll be an

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

at the same time, with clean granite countertops and vintage, but functional, appliances. I immediately felt at home there, like I had just

then,” I said, clapping my hands together and turning to face the

was wafting through the kitchen, practically making my mouth water, I chopped vegetables on a cutting board, delegating tasks to the workers around

sure to stay right in the doorway, watching with an unreadable expression on his

chose to ignore

stove and the bread proofing on the counter. When her jaw dropped at the sight of

you. I’ve been reading

my surprise, Noah simply shrugged one shoulder, his eyes flickering almost begrudgingly toward the stove where the sauce was simmering.