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

an adorable six–year–old with bright red pigtails and a button nose, piped up as she

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 were hungry as well–or at least, the promise

look, but she simply laughed and held up her hands in a placating gesture. “Well,

her off firmly, raising my hand, “if it’s not too much trouble, would you mind if I handled the cooking myself? I like to

The director gaped at me, clearly stunned, while

Chapter 0066

+25 BONUS

his eyes. “What’s so funny, dear?” I asked, plastering

knew so well settling onto his chiseled features. What’s with you and cooking lately?”

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

don’t cook often,” I admitted. “But lately, I’ve been developing more

Noah’s gaze boring into me again. But the director simply nodded and shot

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

director turned and made her way down the hall. I followed, casting one last glance at Noah out of the corner of my eye. He

kitchen was spacious yet cozy at the same time, with clean granite countertops and vintage, but functional, appliances.

and turning to face the children. “How

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

sure to stay right in the doorway, watching

chose to ignore

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’ve been reading a lot

Noah simply shrugged one shoulder, his eyes flickering almost begrudgingly toward the stove