Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 51

“Mom,” Alex chirped, breaking Arnold’s train of thought. “Can you cook dinner for me tonight? Like you used to?”

Sarah opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the shrill ring of Arnold’s phone cut through the moment,

All eyes turned to him as he pulled the device from his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his face tightening ever so slightly.

The name **Linda** flashed on the caller ID.

Sarah’s expression didn’t change, but the silence that followed was telling,

Alex’s excitement dimmed as he noticed the shift in the atmosphere.

Arnold hesitated before answering,

“Excuse me,” he muttered, pushing his chair back and stepping out of the room.

Arnold’s voice, though muffled, carried from the hallway.

Sarah couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable–soft, attentive.

It didn’t bother her the way it might have before. Instead, it was as if a wall separated her from the emotions she used to feel about Arnold.

Alex tugged on her sleeve.

“You’ll still cook, at night, right?”

Sarah smiled down at him, pushing her own thoughts aside.

“Of course. We’ll make something delicious together.”

His grin returned, and Sarah couldn’t help but feel a small sense of relief.

In Alex’s innocent joy, she found a semblance of peace, even if the rest of the house felt like a storm waiting to break.

Arnold picked up the phone and answered with a soft, almost tender tone.

he said, his voice a stark contrast to the silence that had

froze mid–reach for her glass

in her

his expression

intimacy in his tone stung.

this man, defending their bond, and yet here she was, feeling

had told herself time and again not to let it get to

the mantra, the hurt was always there, lurking beneath her carefully

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Chapter 51

exterior.

the phone into his pocket without a

her gaze as

to go,” he said briskly, his tone reverting to its

nodded, keeping her face neutral even though a knot was tightening in her

her voice calm, almost too calm.

leave, Alex’s small voice broke the silence. “Dad, was that Aunt Linda on the phone?”

in his tracks, glancing back at his

“Yes,” he admitted.

Alex asked, his

briefly before

I need to discuss some things with

exited the room, leaving an awkward tension

his young face etched with

can I go with Dad to see

her heart sank

can ask him, sweetheart,” she said gently.

hesitated, looking at the door his father had

I don’t want you to be mad at me if