Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 140

Her heart gave a traitorous lurch.

*How long has he been standing there?*

The streetlights cast a soft glow on his face, accentuating the sharp lines of his jaw. There was something unreadable in his eyes—something that made her uneasy.

She hesitated, gripping her purse strap. "What are you doing here?"

Arnold didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied her, as if trying to read her thoughts.

Finally, he said, "I was waiting for you."

A lump formed in Sarah’s throat.

She didn’t know whether to feel flattered or alarmed.

Sarah didn’t pause, her footsteps steady as she prepared to walk past him. But before she could move any farther, Arnold spoke.

“Grandmother had a fall last night,” his voice was calm yet laced with something deeper, something he rarely let surface. “She’d quite like you to visit her.”

For a second, Sarah wavered.

She wasn’t sure what surprised her more—the news of Grandmother’s fall or the fact that Arnold had sought her out to deliver the message. But she kept her expression neutral, merely giving a short nod before continuing past him.

She didn’t owe him anything.

---

That afternoon, Sarah left work early. The weight of Arnold’s words had lingered in her mind longer than she cared to admit. Though she wasn’t part of their world anymore, Grandmother had always been kind to her in her own way. And despite everything, a fall at her age was serious.

The orthopedic hospital was quiet when she arrived, the scent of antiseptic thick in the air. As she stepped into the hallway, she barely had time to register her surroundings before a familiar figure dashed toward her.

“Mommy”

Alex’s voice was bright with excitement as he rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her waist in a tight embrace.

Caught off guard, Sarah hesitated for a fraction of a second before her arms came around him instinctively. His warmth, his energy—it was still the same.

“You came!” Alex beamed up at her, his eyes filled with unfiltered joy.

Sarah gave him a small smile. “I heard Grandmother wanted to see me.”

Sarah patted his head. “I won’t stay long.”

She spent some time sitting with Grandmother, keeping the conversation light. She let Alex talk the most, watching as he animatedly described his day. It was easier that way—less room for tension, less room for painful reminders.

Then, as evening approached, the nurse came in with Grandmother’s dinner tray. The elderly woman glanced at Arnold, who had been silent for most of the visit, then turned to Sarah.

“You guys haven't eaten yet, have you? Arnold, make arrangements to join Sarah and Alex--” Grandmother instructed lightly, though there was something firm in her tone.

Sarah shook her head immediately. “I’ve already eaten.”

Alex, who had been listening quietly, tugged at her sleeve again. “But I haven’t eaten with you in so long.”

His words were innocent, but they held a weight Sarah wasn’t prepared for.

Memories of last night flashed in her mind—the back she had seen on the street, the unanswered calls. A sharp pang settled in her chest.

She lowered her gaze, masking her emotions with a faint smile. “I'm been working all day. I'm tired, don't want to walk around. You guys go eat.”

His grip on her arm tightened slightly, as if reluctant to let go. But after a moment, he slowly nodded, though his disappointment was clear.