Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 168

Alex's excitement returned as he searched, but the deeper he dug, the more frustrated he became. His small fingers rifled through every compartment, pulling out stray papers and forgotten trinkets. But the silk scarf he had picked out for his mother was nowhere to be found.

“I…” Alex’s voice wavered, his confidence shrinking as he realized his mistake. “I think… I forgot to pack it.”

For the first time that night, he looked embarrassed.

Sarah, however, remained calm. She reached out and ruffled his hair lightly. “It’s okay,” she said simply.

It had been a long time since Alex had been close enough to Linda that he forgot to get her a gift. This time, at least he had remembered.

That, in itself, was enough.

... ... ...

The next morning, as the scent of breakfast filled the house, Sarah sipped her coffee and glanced over at Alex. He was sitting on the couch, phone in hand, his small legs swinging as he chatted animatedly.

She didn’t need to ask who he was talking to.

A moment later, Alex glanced up, noticing her presence. His expression brightened, and he quickly got up, walking over with the phone still in his hand.

“Mom, Dad wants to talk to you,” he said, extending the device toward her.

Sarah took a slow breath before reaching for the phone.

Sarah picked up the phone with deliberate slowness, her fingers tightening slightly around the device as she put it to her ear.

“What is it?” Her voice was cool, detached.

On the other end, Arnold responded in his usual indifferent tone, something about Alex, something about being busy. His words were vague, unbothered, like he was merely ticking off an obligation.

Sarah listened without much reaction, nodding occasionally though he couldn’t see her. After two or three brief exchanges, she cut the call short, not interested in dragging the conversation any longer than necessary.

She set the phone down and exhaled, feeling neither anger nor disappointment.... only a quiet numbness that had settled long ago.

Then, another call came in.

Leo.

Sarah hesitated for a moment before answering. “Leo?”

His voice was casual but carried a sharp undertone. “Guess who I just saw at the airport?”

She already knew before he said it.

“Arnold and Linda,” Leo continued, his voice laced with irritation. “Hand in hand, looking very much like a couple going on a romantic getaway.”

At that moment, Alex came over and asked, “Mom, who are you talking to on the phone? Let's go out and play.”

Leo heard Alex's voice and he frowned, “So Arnold is going out on his honeymoon alone with Linda, and got tired of your son getting in the way, so he sent him straight to you?”

Sarah smiled faintly, her voice calm. “It’s fine, Leo. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

She sent it and placed her phone aside.

An hour passed before she finally got a reply.

“Soon.”

Sarah stared at the one... word response, unimpressed. She didn’t bother replying.

After dinner, she put her phone on speaker mode while talking to Leo again.

It was one of those conversations that didn’t require much thought.... Leo talking about something mildly annoying at work, Sarah listening, responding here and there.

She liked these kinds of talks. They were easy, familiar.

But just as she leaned back into her chair, she heard the front door open.

Alex had returned from his evening walk, his small shoes padding against the floor as he entered. But the moment he heard the deep voice coming from the phone, his steps slowed.

He frowned.

That voice.... it wasn’t one he recognized.

A man.

Something unfamiliar twisted inside him. Without thinking, he walked over and peered at his mother. “Mom, who are you talking to?”