Chapter 52

“Aunt Linda,” Alex replied without looking up. “I just wanted to say hi.”

Sarah’s chest tightened, but she said nothing. She didn’t stop him.

The car ride continued in silence, save for the faint tapping of Alex’s fingers on his phone.

Sarah kept her eyes on the road, though her mind was elsewhere.

She told herself it didn’t matter, that Linda’s presence in Alex’s life didn’t diminish her role as his mother.

But the lingering ache told a different story.

The message from Linda arrived just as Alex was putting his books into his backpack.

He glanced at his phone, his heart pounding in worry.

**Just a minor illness, Alex,** Linda’s text read. *“No need to worry. Rest up, focus on school, and I’ll be fine.“*

Alex frowned, chewing his bottom lip.

He knew Linda hated being fussed over, but her vague assurances didn’t sit well with him.

His fingers flew over his phone screen.

*“I’ll come by right after school, Aunt Linda. Don’t try to talk me out of it.“*

He hit send before she could respond.

slipped his phone into his pocket, he recalled asking his mom,

thought made him

her I’d

she’s

his concerns momentarily appeased,

hurried to school, his steps light with

stood by the window, watching Alex’s retreating figure with a small,

the corner and disappeared, she let out a soft sigh and turned to the calendar hanging

was circled in red… *Work Turnover

her voice tinged with relief and apprehension. “After today, I

her things and

39.2%

author of try insted acid her tear

in faption

with a protly egresion, her chin resting in her

long face, Vegan? tatal asked, setting

righ 7 was really looking forward to

arge to all

Arand was well karma and while most of their colleagues tumored her. Sarah found

reason” Sarah said

supered why Arnold had shown up. “Landa must have gotten worse.*

Sarah felt a dull atthe building in her temples.

before heading to

brewed coffee filled the air, southing her frayed

mug the sound of the front doors opening

Alpha Arnold, striding into the building with his usual

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