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

Chapter 168

Alex's excitement returned as he searched, but the deeper he dug, the more frustrated he became. His small fingers rifled through every compartment, pulling out stray papers and forgotten trinkets. But the silk scarf he had picked out for his mother was nowhere to be found.

"I..." Alex's voice wavered, his confidence shrinking as he realized his mistake. "I think... I forgot to pack it."

For the first time that night, he looked embarrassed.

Sarah, however, remained calm. She reached out and ruffled his hair lightly. "It's okay," she said simply.

It had been a long time since Alex had been close enough to Linda that he forgot to get her a gift. This time, at least he had remembered.

That, in itself, was enough.

The next morning, as the scent of breakfast filled the house, Sarah sipped her coffee and glanced over at Alex. He was sitting on the couch, phone in hand, his small legs swinging as he chatted animatedly.

She didn't need to ask who he was talking to.

A moment later, Alex glanced up, noticing her presence. His expression brightened, and he quickly got up, walking over with the phone still in his hand.

"Mom, Dad wants to talk to you," he said, extending the device toward her.

Sarah took a slow breath before reaching for the phone.

Sarah picked up the phone with deliberate slowness, her fingers tightening slightly around the device as she put it to her ear.

"What is it?" Her voice was cool, detached.

Arnold responded in his usual indifferent tone, something about Alex, something about being busy. His

occasionally though he couldn't see her. After two or three brief exchanges, she

nor disappointment.... only a quiet

call

Leo.

hesitated for a moment

a sharp undertone. "Guess who

before he said

continued, his voice laced with irritation. "Hand in hand, looking

Alex came over and asked, "Mom, who are

he frowned, "So Arnold is going out on his honeymoon alone with Linda, and got tired of your son

But Leo was not convinced. “It

his book bag for something. Lowering her voice, she said, "Leo, let it

between them before Leo sighed heavily. "Fine. But you deserve

to that. Instead, she simply ended the call and turned to Alex.

next few days, their routine remained

of her hours were spent in front of her laptop, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she revised her research papers. Occasionally, Alex would come sit beside her,

feel his quiet longing, but she

full of easy

silence settle between them,

like that, the last

thought crossed her mind. This time tomorrow, I'll be

quietly with his toy soldiers, lost