Chapter 35

The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the room as Sarah bustled around, preparing breakfast.

The smell of freshly toasted bread and scrambled eggs filled the air.

Alex slouched at the table, idly poking at his cereal with a spoon, his eyes half open, his mood as sour as the occasional grumble he let out.

He tossed the spoon in the bowl, his brow furrowed in some annoyance.

The training his father had set for him weighed heavily on his mind.

Alex wasn’t one to defy orders from his father; he wouldn’t dare. His mother, Sarah, was another matter altogether.

He had mastered the art of evading her gentle scolding and pretending not to hear her commands, but his father’s words were

law.

“Well, I don’t feel like eating breakfast, I’m going to go to the restroom and wash up.” Alex mumbled under his breath, lazily walking towards the restroom.

His actions mirrored his reluctance.

He wandered the corridors idly, like he was dragging something invisible with him, while leaving everything that needed to be dealt with to others.

“Mom!” he called out from the bathroom. “The water’s too cold. Can you adjust the temperature?”

Her voice floated back to him from the kitchen. “You’re old enough to do that yourself, Alex.”

“I’m already in here!” he retorted.

Moments later, she appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed.

“Alex, you’re not a little boy anymore. It’s time you started doing these small things on your own.”

Her firm tone caught him off guard. He froze mid–grumble, staring at her as though she’d suddenly transformed into someone

else.

“But you always..”

voice softening as she glanced at her son. “But you’re grown now. You’ve got to

it. His lips pressed into a thin line, his

begged, his tone tinged with childlike

wasn’t immune to her son’s pleading eyes, no matter how much she tried to stand firm.

Just this once,” she relented,

the shower and Sarah inquired, “Did

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A Life

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and hopeful, an attempt to draw him out of

not bothering to lift

the urge to sigh and advised. “Eat a little something before school….. You

before and it was great.” Alex muttered, his tone clipped.

swirled his spoon in the cereal bowl, watching as

me much.” Sarah pressed gently. “Anything exciting coming

tightened. “I said it’s fine. Can we

pushed forward,

wanted to know how things were

know what I’m gonna do, Mom.” Alex snapped, finally looking

with irritation, and Sarah’s heart

a deep breath, willing herself

to annoy you, Alex. I just care about what’s happening in your

“You always ask a bunch of questions like it’s some kind of interrogation.

but quickly masked her

show I care, Alex. It’s not about prying;

well, Aunt Linda doesn’t do that, and I like talking to her way more,” Alex said, crossing

Sarah’s throat tightened.

Linda stung, but she managed to

mom. And it’s my job to make sure

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