After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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.

Nora, 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, Nora 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.

Nora took a slow breath before reaching for the phone.

Nora 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.

On the other end, Arnold responded in his usual indifferent tone, something about Alex, something about being busy. His words were vague, unbothered, like he was merely ticking off an obligation.

Nora listened without much reaction, nodding occasionally though he couldn't see her. After two or three brief exchanges, she cut the call short, not interested in dragging the conversation any longer than

necessary.

15-19

After I left. Alpha father and son went craznoveldrama

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She set the phone down and exhaled, feeling neither anger nor disappointment.... only a quiet numbness that had settled long ago.

Then, another call came in.

Leo.

Nora hesitated for a moment before answering. "Leo?"

His voice was casual but carried a sharp undertone. "Guess who I just saw at the airport?"

She already knew before he said it.

"Arnold and Linda," Leo continued, his voice laced with irritation. "Hand in hand, looking very much like

a couple going on a romantic getaway."

At that moment, Alex came over and asked, "Mom, who are you talking to on the phone? Let's go out and

play."

Leo heard Alex's voice and he frowned, "So Arnold is going out on his honeymoon alone with Linda, and

got tired of your son getting in the way, so he sent him straight to you?" Nora smiled faintly, her voice calm. "It's fine, Leo. It doesn't matter anymore."

But Leo was not convinced. "It should matter, Nora. He's walking all over you." Nora glanced at Alex, who was now rummaging through his book bag for something. Lowering her voice,

she said, "Leo, let it go."

A brief silence stretched between them before Leo sighed heavily. "Fine. But you deserve better."

Nora didn't respond to that. Instead, she simply ended the call and turned to Alex. "Alright, let's go."

Over the next few days, their routine remained simple.

Alex was always around, yet Nora barely spent time with him. Most 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, watching her type with mild curiosity before wandering off on his own.

She could feel his quiet longing, but she didn't know how to address it.

She wasn't like Arnold.... full of easy words and hollow promises.

So she let the silence settle between them, filling the space with work, with routine.

And just like that, the last day of the vacation arrived.

15:20

After Heft, Alpha father and son went craz

99.6%

As she closed her laptop, stretching slightly, a thought crossed her mind. This time tomorrow, I'll be back

at STARLINE Studios.

Her gaze drifted to Alex, who was playing quietly with his toy soldiers, lost in his own world.

She sighed, picking up her phone and typing a message to Arnold.

[When are you coming back? I'm going to work tomorrow and won't have time to take care of Alex, so come over and get him.]

She sent it and placed her phone aside.

An hour passed before she finally got a reply.

"Soon."

Nora stared at the one... word response, unimpressed. She didn't bother replying.

After dinner, she put her phone on speaker mode while talking to Leo again.

It was one of those conversations that didn't require much thought.... Leo talking about something mildly annoying at work, Nora listening, responding here and there.

She liked these kinds of talks. They were easy, familiar.

But just as she leaned back into her chair, she heard the front door open.

Alex had returned from his evening walk, his small shoes padding against the floor as he entered. But the moment he heard the deep voice coming from the phone, his steps slowed.

He frowned.

That voice.... it wasn't one he recognized.

A man.

Something unfamiliar twisted inside him. Without thinking, he walked over and

peered at his mother. "Mom, who are you talking to?"