After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

"Mom," Alex chirped, breaking Arnold's train of thought. "Can you cook dinner for me tonight? Like you used 107"

Nora 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.

Nora'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.

Nora 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 rugged on her sleeve.

"You'll still cook, at night, right?"

Nora smiled down at him, pushing her own thoughts aside.

"Of course. We'll make something delicious together."

His grin returned, and Nuca couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief.

În 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,

"Linda," he said, his voice a stark contrast to the silence that had blanketed the room moments ago. Nora's hand froze mud reach for her glass of water.

She felt a dull ache in her chest as she watched him speak

He turned slightly away, his expression unreadable but unmistakably focused

The intimacy in his tone stung

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

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

But no matter how many times the repeated the mantra, the hurt was always there, lurking beneath her carefully constru

Arnold firushed the call, shipping the phone into his pocket without a word to her

He didn't meet her gaze

I have to go," he said leakly, histone reverting to its usual detached coolnes

Nora nodded, keeping her face neutral even though a knot was tightening in her stomach

"Of course," she said, her voce calm, almost too ralm.

constructed exterior.

As Arnold turned to leave, Alex's small voice broke the silence. Tad, was that Aunt Linda on the phone? Arnold stopped in his tracks, glancing back at his son

"Yes," he admitted

"Are you going to see her?" Alex asked, his bright eyes flickering with curiosity.

Arnold hesitated briefly before nodding

"Yes, I need to discuss some things with her."

Without waiting for further questions, be exited the room, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air.

Alex turned to his mother, his young face etched with confusion.

"Mom, can I go with Dad to see Aunt Linda?"

Nora forced a smile. though her heart sank at the question.

"You can ask him, sweetheart," she said gently.

Alex hesitated, looking at the door his father had just walked through

"But I don't want you to be mad at me if I go."

Nora's heart ached as she knelt beside him, taking his small hands in hers.

"Alex, I'm not mad at you," she reassured him. "You can talk to whoever you want."noveldrama

Alex nodded slowly, but has brow remained furrowed.

"I don't get why doesn't mom like Aunt Linda," he muttered to himself "She's so nice and pretty. And Dad says she's really smart too."

Nora smiled faintly, masking the sharp pain his innocent words brought.

n-ups just don't get along, Alex. It's nothing you need to worry about."

Sometimes grown-u

He seemed to accept her answer, though the curiosity didn't completely leave his eyes.

He picked at his food absentmindedly, his appetite suddenly diminished

"Can we go to school now?" he asked after a few minutes.

"Of course," Nora replied

As soon as Alex settled into the back seat of the car, he pulled out his cell phone

Nora glanced at him in the rearview mirror, watching as his small fingers tapped away on the screen with determination.

"Who are you texting?" she asked lightly, though she already had a sinking suspicion