After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 113

The house no longer felt like home.

That night, she slept in Alex's room, curled up beside him as he clung to her in his sleep.

The next morning, as Nora prepared to leave, the maid cto collect the laundry.

“Miss Nora, would you like these washed?” The maid asked, pointing to the nightgown she had changed out of

last night.

Nora glanced at them, then shook her head. “No need. Just throw them away.”

The maid hesitated, startled by the request.

Then, as if realizing something, Nora added, “And those bags in the attic, | don’t want them either.”

There was no place for those things in her life anymore.

Just then, Alex crunning down the stairs, his schoolbag bouncing against his back.

“Mom, let's go!” he called, grabbing her hand.

She took him to school, dropping him off at the gate.

Just as she was about to leave, a little boy ran up to her, waving excitedly.

It was Brian, the neighbor's son.

“Nora! Why didn’t you chlast night?” he asked curiously. “My mom made cookies! She wanted to give

you

some!”

Before Nora could respond, Alex scowled.

“What the hell are you talking about?” he huffed. “Mom was at hlast night. She slept with me.”

When he heard the words, Brian gazed at Alex with a sympathy and understanding beyond his years.

Though young, Brian had overheard enough adult conversations and observed enough of his surroundings to

grasp the complexities of Alex's life.

As a neighbor he knew that Alex's father favored another woman more and that his marriage to Aunt Nora had

cto an end, which was why Aunt Nora had moved out.

But Alex doesn’t seem to know this.

Brian swallowed hard, then patted Alex's shoulder in a wordless show of support before hurrying off toward the

school building.

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Chapter 113

Nora watched the interaction and sighed softly. Schildren were more perceptive than adults thought they

were.

It was almost tfor class, and she had no intention of delaying the children any longer.

“Go on now,” she said gently, offering Alex a small smile. Alex nodded and followed Brian into the building, his

steps dragging slightly.

Just as Nora turned to leave, a voice called out. “Miss Nora?”

She turned to see Alex's teacher approaching, her expression hesitant.

“I wanted to ask if you were aware of next week’s parent-child program,” the teacher said carefully.

Nora blinked. Parent-child program? Neither Arnold nor Alex had mentioned it.

That meant they either forgot or, more likely, had already decided Linda would be the one to attend.

A knowing look passed between her and the teacher, who sighed.

The unspoken words weighed heavy in the air.

“Someone else should be here instead when the tcomes,” Nora said lightly, her tone calm but detached. The

teacher's sigh deepened, but she nodded in understanding.

Nora left without another word, though her thoughts were far from settled.

It didn’t sting as much as it once had, but there was still a dull ache in knowing that she wasn’t even considered

for moments like these.

She had no intention of forcing herself into spaces where she wasn’t wanted.

If Amold wanted Linda to be Alex's “mother,” she wouldn't interfere.

Let them see if they could erase her completely.

By the tshe arrived at the office, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

Nora noticed Leo's uncharacteristically quiet demeanor as soon as she stepped inside. His usually animated

coworkers were muttering amongst themselves, their expressions dark with frustration.

“What happened?” she asked, directing her question toward Leo.

He exhaled sharply. “After we turned down Linda's offer to collaborate, Arnold set up another design stuunder

his name. They're launching a fashion brand in direct competition with us. And, of course, Linda and Clark's

company is their exclusive partner.”

A ripple of anger passed through the room.

Their hard work, their passion, was now facing unnecessary competition simply because Linda couldn’t handle

rejection.

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Chapter 113

Nora, however, remained unshaken.

Of course, Arnold would do this. He had always been Linda’s biggest backer, never hesitating to invest in her

dreams-even when they cat someone else’s expense.

But if Linda thought she could undermine her by stepping into the sindustry, she was mistaken.

A slow, almost amused smile curved Nora's lips. “Then let them compete,” she said evenly. “If they want to play

this game, we'll play too.”

Her confidence startled sof her colleagues, but Leo smirked. He had no doubt that Nora would see this

through.

That evening, she sat by her desk, flipping through the paper Colton had assigned her.

She was absorbed in revising when a sudden mindlink interrupted her thoughts.

Alexander.

“Nora,” his deep voice resonated through the link.

“The company’s been swamped lately, and | was planning to take Eliza on a cruise for a little break. But

something cup, and neither my wife nor | can make it. Could you take her for a day?”

Nora didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

Elisa is Alexander's only daughter and she is a smart, sweet girl who has no problem taking care of her for a day.

Not long after ending the mindlink, her phone rang again.

Cole.

She answered and immediately spoke. “If it's about Abby, I'm sorry. | already have plans tomorrow and won't be

able to make time.”

Instead of hanging up, Cole asked, “Is it convenient to say what it was about?”

He paused and then added, “Abby would love to see you tomorrow. She hasn't seen you in a long tand she

misses you.”