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.

his voice a stark contrast to the silence

mid–reach for

her chest as

expression unreadable but unmistakably focused.

in his

spent years loving this man, defending their bond, and yet here she was, feeling like a spectator in her own

told herself time and again not to let it get to her, that she was above these emotions.

many times she repeated the mantra, the hurt

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Half A

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Chapter 51

exterior.

finished the call, slipping the phone into his pocket without a word to her.

meet her gaze as he stood.

briskly, his tone reverting to its usual

even though a knot was tightening in

voice

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

glancing back at

“Yes,” he admitted.

see her?” Alex asked, his bright

briefly before

discuss some

he exited the room, leaving an awkward tension

mother, his

go with Dad to see Aunt Linda?”

a smile, though her heart sank at

can ask him, sweetheart,” she said gently.

looking at the door his father had

want you to be mad at me if I go.”