After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Nora stretched as she stepped out of the dimly lit movie theater, her body slightly stiff from sitting for nearly two hours.

The film had been entertaining enough, but now that it was over, she found

herself with extra time and no particular plan for the evening.

As she glanced around, her gaze landed on the bright, flashing lights of an arcade

just a few steps away.

The neon sign above the entrance flickered in vibrant blues and reds, inviting passersby inside.

A wave of nostalgia hit her-she hadn't visited an arcade in years.

"Aunt Nora."

Abby gently tugged on Nora's sleeve, her gaze was attracted by the game hall not far away, her eyes flashing with a curiosity she couldn't hide, "Can you take me to play that?"

Cole laughed helplessly, his tone carrying a few hints of teasing in his tone, "I've brought you by here several times before, and every time I asked you weren't interested, why do you suddenly want to play today?"

Abby slightly reddened her face, her voice shy and cautious, "Because...... I want auntie to play with me

"Sure."

Nora agreed with alacrity, the corner of her mouth raising a smile she also somewhat missed the lively atmosphere of the game hall.

Curious, she walked through the entrance, immediately greeted by the familiar cacophony of game sounds: the electronic beeps of racing games, the rapid gunfire from shooting booths, and the excited cheers of players celebrating their victories.

The air smelled faintly of popcorn and the plastic-like scent of well-worn game controllers.

Nora wandered through the rows of machines, taking in the variety of games- claw machines stuffed with plush toys, classic pinball machines, and rows of fighting games where players battled furiously against each other.

"Uncle, I want that one!"

Abby's gaze was firmly attracted by the pink rabbit plush toy on the counter, her eyes instantly lit up, her

After I left, Alpha father and son went crazym

tone dripping with unconcealed excitement.

"Little girl, this is a non-sale item."

The store clerk on the side reminded with a smile. "This is a special prize for our store's racing game, only by breaking the record and placing in the top three can you win this doll."

"So......" Abby's excitement faded a few moments later, a hint of loss appearing on her face.

Cole followed her gaze to the racing game machine, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly- this was his specialty.

Just as he was about to throw in a coin for the challenge, a coin fell into the slot ahead of him.

"Let me try."

The sleek arcade cabinet had a large screen displaying a high-speed track, a steering wheel, and foot pedals. Smirking to herself, Nora slid a token into the slot and took her seat.

Cole looked at her with some surprise, did Nora, who seemed to have a gentle and sensible demeanor, even play racing games?

The countdown began. **3... 2... 1... GO!**

She gripped the steering wheel tightly, maneuvering her digital car through sharp turns and narrow alleyways.

The rush of the game pulled her in, and she leaned forward with determination, her heart pounding as she dodged obstacles and passed rival racers.

With a final burst of speed, she crossed the finish line in first place, the words **"WINNER!"** flashing

across the screen.

The game timer popped up in gold font and the rankings flew up, eventually stopping in second place.

A small grin spread across her face.

A small crowd had gathered around, murmuring in admiration.

It was an old skill, honed in her college years when video games had been her refuge from stress.

Once, she had been offered a place in a professional gaming team. She had turned them down, prioritizing her studies and future career.

But here, in the familiar embrace of the arcade, she felt the same thrill she had back then-a moment of weightless freedom.noveldrama

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After I left, Alpha father and son went crazyt

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Seeing Nora's name parked firmly in second place on the leaderboard, Abby froze for a moment, then squealed with excitement.

She jumped into Nora's arms, her voice full of surprise and adoration, "Aunt Nora, you're amazing!"

The store clerk smiled and handed the stuffed animal to Nora, who bent down again and gently placed it

into Abby's arms.

Abby excitedly hugged the pink bunny tightly with a satisfied smile on her face, like she was holding the most precious treasure in the world.

Cole narrowed his eyes slightly, his slender fingers casually inserted into his pants pockets, and seeing the way the two of them interacted, he didn't hold back a small smile from the corners of his lips.

At that moment, Nora's cell phone buzzed in her pocket.

She barely glanced at the screen before pressing the reject button.

Arnold.

She didn't want to answer him. Not now. Maybe not ever.

On the other side of town, in a grand, lighted estate, Arnold watched as his son wiped the tears from his

eyes.