After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Her voice was calm, as always. "I wanted to ask for your advice. Abby's birthday is coming up, and I'm

not sure what to get her."

Cole felt a warmth spread through him at the thought of Nora considering Abby's birthday important enough to call him about it. "Honestly, she likes you a lot," he said, his voice softening. "No matter what you get her, if it's from you, she'll love it."

Nora hummed in thought. "That's sweet, but I still need ideas."

Cole smiled, leaning back in his chair. "How about making a cake? Abby would love something

homemade."

Nora considered it for a moment before agreeing. "That sounds nice. I'll try that." "Let me know if you need help," Cole offered.

"I will," she replied. "I'll keep in touch."

As soon as the call ended, Cole sat there for a moment, staring at his phone. The conversation was brief, but it meant something.

For the first time in a while, he felt like there was still a connection between them. Cole arrived at the hotel where Arnold, Linda, and Charles were already gathered. The moment he stepped inside, Charles glanced at his watch and smirked.

"You're late," Charles remarked. "What kept you?"

Cole gave a small, amused smile. "Just a phone call."

Linda's gaze sharpened slightly, picking up on the subtle shift in Cole's mood. "A phone call?" she echoed, tilting her head. "Must have been important."

Cole didn't respond right away. Instead, he simply took his seat and picked up his drink, swirling it thoughtfully before taking a sip.

"It was," he finally said, a small smile lingering on his lips.

Linda watched Cole closely, noting his unusually light mood. It wasn't hard to guess that something. rather, someone... had put him in such high spirits.

99.5%

She had contacted him several times over the past few days, each time under the pretense of dinner

invitations.

She had kept her tone casual, giving him an easy excuse to accept without making it seem like a formatnoveldrama

request.

But he had turned her down every time, citing vague reasons... something had come up, he was bray, he had prior commitments.

Once or twice, she might have believed it.

But this many times?

Linda tapped her fingers lightly against her wine glass, eyes narrowing slightly as she considered the possibilities.

Was it possible that he was avoiding her because of Flora?

She had tried to set him up with Flora multiple times, believing they would be a good match.

Cole was competent and successful, and Flora was charming and eager to climb the social ladder. A logical pairing.

Had she miscalculated?

Had he assumed that she was contacting him to push another meeting with Flora and was turning her down preemptively?

Linda bit her lip, an unfamiliar irritation curling in her chest.

It wasn't like her to get worked up over such things. She had always prided

herself on her control, on her ability to manipulate situations to her advantage.

But Cole's repeated refusals stung in a way she hadn't anticipated.

And worst of all... he didn't even seem to notice.

Nora walked through the bustling mall, weaving between shoppers as she made her way to the toy store.

She knew Abby wasn't the type to demand expensive gifts, but she still wanted to find something thoughtful.

After some searching, she settled on a plush pink rabbit.

99.6%

It was soft and huggable, with long floppy ears and a tiny embroidered smile. Something about it reminded her of Abby... gentle, warm, and quietly resilient.

She paid for the gif, tucking the small shopping bag under her arm as she headed toward the elevator.

Just as she stepped inside, Linda appeared, preparing to go upstairs.

Their eyes met briefly.

Linda's gaze flicked to the rabbit plush in Nora's hand, and something cold flashed through her expression before she quickly masked it with a knowing smirk.

She assumed, without hesitation, that the gift was for Alex.

How foolish.

Alex had long since outgrown childish stuffed toys.

Ever since he had started spending more time with Linda, his tastes had evolved... refined, as she liked to think. Model race cars, sleek high-tech gadgets, exclusive limited-edition collectibles... these were the kinds of gifts that suited him now, the kind that set him apart from the average child.

Yet here was Nora, still clinging to outdated notions, still bringing him gifts that no longer suited him.

Linda's lips curled slightly, her amusement tinged with something sharper.

Poor Nora. Did she even realize how ridiculous she looked?

Was it stupidity, or simply an inability to let go of the past?

the

Linda turned away and stepped into the elevator, leaving Nora behind without a second glance.

Nora, on the other hand,

the fleeting smirk, recognized "eacted. She wasn't oblivious to Linda's silent judgment... she had caught

But she didn't care.

the dismissiveness in her gaze.

Let Linda think whatever she wanted.

Tonight wasn't about her.

Adjusting the shopping bag in her arms, Nora checked the time. It was almost

time to head to the hotel

Cole had booked for Abby's birthday dinner.

99.8%