After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Cody rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. "What is going on here? She's not even

n pretending to care anymore."

But Nora paid no attention to Cody's disbelief.

Once Megan understood the process. Nora excused herself, leaving the office without so much as a backward glance.

At home. Nora immersed herself in her work, sketching designs at her drafting table.

The lines of her pencil flowed across the paper, creating intricate patterns and shapes.

Her mind was focused and clear, a rare and precious state she cherished.

Then her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away.

She picked it up and saw Alex's name flashing on the screen.

With a sigh, she answered.

Helor

"Mom" Alex said, his tone direct, "can you come home and cook dinner for me?"

Nora's pencil paused mid stroke. "Alex," she said carefully, Tm in the middle of something important. I

can't drop everything and come over right now. Maybe another time."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, followed by Alex's indignant reply.

"What? You're too busy to cook for me? Mom, come on. I'm hungry, and I want your coolding."

Nora exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Alex, I'm on a tight deadline. I've been working nonstop. It's not that I don't want to cook for you, but I can't make the trip today. You can tell the Nanny to prepare something for you, just this once." In the past, Nora would have dropped everything to fulfill Alex's request.

Whether it was making his favorite meal or helping him with something trivial, she had always put him and Arnold at the center of her priorities.

But those days, too, were behind her.

Alex, however, was unaccustomed to this version of his mother. "I don't care if you're busy," he said stubbornly. "You're my mom, and you're supposed to take care of me. If you don't cook, I won't eat anything tonight!"

As Alex slammed his phone onto the t

table, his frustration simmered into anger.

o make his favorite meal.

"Why is Mommy doing this?" he muttered to himself. He expected Nora to call back, apologize, and rush home to

That was how it always went.

But this time, the silence stretched, and no familiar ringtone interrupted his sulking.

Meanwhile, back at her workspace, Nora felt a dull ache forming at her temples.

She rubbed her forehead, trying to soothe the growing headache, but the sharp ding of a notification

on her Laptop stole her attention.

It was a message from Lea.

fora, when can we expect the original

al drafts? I'm drowning here without your input.

Nora sighed, scrolling through her calend

The handover schedule was tight, and she was already pushing herself to meet the deadlines. 31.14

After Lief. Alpha father and sat went ind

She quickly typed back

***I should have everything ready in the next few days. Let me confirm the timeline for you." The response was Instant.

000

**Leo ***Thanks, Nora. We're counting on you. Things are chantic here, and your designs are crucial.* The two launched into a discussion about the company's development plans, diving deep into design specifics and upcoming projects.noveldrama

Nora's mind became engrossed in the conversation, and the tension of deadlines overshadowed Alex's earlier tantrum.

Back at home, Alex paced the living room, his stomach growling.

"She'll come," he muttered, half to himself and half to the empty room. "She has to come. She always does."

But minutes turned into hours, and the sun began to dip below the horizon.

Hunger gnawed at him, and his patience ran out.

He stomped into the dining room, where the maid had set a hot meal on the table.

The aroma of roasted chicken and herbs filled the air, but it wasn't what Alex wanted.

"This isn't what I asked for he snapped, shoving the plate off the table.

It crashed onto the floor, food scattering everywhere.

The maid gasped, her face pale with shock.

"Master Alex" she said gently, trying to keep her composure, "please calm down. I can prepare something else for you.

"I don't want it!" Alex shouted. "I want Mom's cooking!"

The maid, at her wit's end, decided to call Arnold

Arnold arrived not long after, his presence commanding as always.

His piercing gaze took in the mess on the flour and the tear-streaked face of his son

"Alex" he said, his voice firm but not unkind, "what is the meaning of this?"

Alex pointed at the maid

She made food I didn't want! Mom didn't come home, and now no one cares about me" 11:58