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

Chapter 169

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Sarah glanced at him and said lightly, "A friend."

But Alex's frown deepened.

A strange feeling bubbled in his chest.... an odd, uncomfortable kind of panic. He didn't know why, but he didn't like it.

Didn't like that his mom was talking to another man.

Didn't like that she was smiling.... not the polite, distant smile she always had for him, but something else.

He stepped closer, tugging at her sleeve. "Mom, stop talking on the phone," he said, his voice small but firm. "Play with me."

Sarah blinked, surprised by his sudden demand.

Alex's small hands clenched slightly when his mother dismissed him. His eager expression faltered, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Go play by yourself for a while," Sarah said, her tone light but firm. She didn't even look up from her laptop, fingers continuing to tap against the keys.

Alex stood there for a moment, his heart sinking.

He had been excited to spend time with her, thinking she would finally give him her attention. But instead, she was busy. Again.

"But, Mom...."

"I'm on the phone, Alex." Her voice was calm, final.

Alex felt something twist in his chest.... something that made his throat feel tight and his eyes burn. He turned on his heel and stomped away, going back to his room without another word.

Meanwhile, Sarah and Leo continued their conversation late into the night. It wasn't anything particularly important.... just small talk, light complaints about work, and the occasional teasing. But to Sarah, it was a welcome distraction.

By the time she hung up, the clock read past ten.

She rubbed her temples, exhaling softly.

The next morning, Sarah stepped into STARLINE Studios, greeted by the hum of activity.

a staff expansion, and she had been swamped with additional responsibilities. Meetings, interviews,

between sorting through files and finalizing reports, she checked her phone. Arnold had responded

"Soon."

been

"soon" stretched

Three. Then four.

tension between Sarah and

spoke less, barely responding when she tried to ask about his day. He ate quietly, finished

Sarah noticed it.

much work pressing on

afternoon, when

the caller

his voice came through, hesitant but with a forced cheerfulness. "Dad

slightly in her

"Yeah... They're waiting outside."

desk. She had deadlines

She could refuse.

She wanted to refuse.

a pang of guilt

him when he asked for attention. She had

chance to make up for it, even

she said after a pause. "Mom

surprised

she assured him. "Wait for

as she gathered her things to leave, her

from the

car has already picked up

stared at the

slowly around the device before she

hadn't waited after

car, Alex sat quietly,

Arnold and

"Daddy! Aunt Linda!"