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

one of the little girls, an adorable six–year–old with bright red pigtails and a button nose, piped up as

in, their pleas swiftly becoming too impassioned to wave off. It seemed as though they were hungry as well–or at least, the promise of food

her hands in a placating gesture. “Well, it

cut her off firmly, raising my hand, “if it’s not too much trouble, would you mind if I handled the

at me, clearly stunned, while Noah let out a loud

Chapter 0066

+25 BONUS

bristling at the mocking gleam in his eyes. “What’s so funny,

so well settling onto his chiseled features. What’s with you and cooking lately?” he teased, then leaned over to

were merely teasing me, but I knew better. Still, I

more of an interest in it. And I’d love

But

think it sounds fun,” she said. “And it’ll be an excellent chance to

followed, casting one last glance at Noah out of the corner of my eye. He had

countertops and vintage, but functional, appliances. I immediately felt at home there, like

then,” I said, clapping my hands together and turning to face the children. “How

practically making my mouth water, I chopped vegetables on a cutting board, delegating tasks to

But he made sure to stay right in the doorway, watching with an unreadable expression

chose to ignore

our progress, I already had the pasta 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 loaves, I couldn’t help but shoot Noah a smug little

told you. I’ve been reading a lot of

his eyes flickering almost begrudgingly toward the stove where the sauce was simmering.