After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Nora knew Alex too well to be sensitive to the hint of hesitation and reluctance in his words.noveldrama

Hearing the noisy voice on the other end of his phone, Nora asked, "Baby, where are you now?"

There was a slight pause on the other end.

Alex finally answered, "I'm at the airport, Dad asked me to ask if you wanted to come."

He couldn't hide some disappointment in his tone, he had booked a flight out with Aunt Linda, but Aunt Linda had some important work at the moment, so he had to let the maid take him out.

Dad had told him to ask mom if she wanted to come along, but.......

Alex couldn't help but think, what if Auntie Linda came back from her busy day, how embarrassing it

would be to bump into mom.

Nora was silent for a moment and replied, "Mom has to stay at her grandmother's and can't be with you,

next time we have a chance, you enjoy your vacation."

Alex sighed in relief, “In that case, I'll leave you alone! Mom, I'll be back with a present for you!"

Before Nora could say anything else, the phone was hung up impatiently.

Nora was used to Alex's attitude and hung up the phone and went back to her breakfast.

After breakfast, she went out shopping with Alexander and his daughter, Elisa.

The city was alive with festive energy-families moving between stores, couples holding hands as they admired holiday displays, the scent of roasted chestnuts drifting through the cool winter air.

Nora's steps faltered as she caught sight of the small boy skipping down the street, his laughter light and carefree as he clutched a stuffed toy in one hand.

The winter sun cast a golden hue on his dark hair, and the slight bounce in his steps reminded her so much of Alex when he was younger.

A lump formed in her throat as she observed the details-the soft blue sweater he wore, the familiar brand of sneakers, the small patterned backpack slung over his tiny shoulders.

Alex had loved those clothes.

She had spent so much time carefully picking them out, making sure they were comfortable, stylish, and

96.0%

something he'd enjoy.

She used to hold his hand as they walked through stores, watching the way his eyes would light up at a particular jacket or the way he'd insist on trying on different hats just to make her laugh.

She had cherished those moments, believing that she understood his preferences better than anyone.

But then, things had changed.

Nora's grip tightened around the shopping bags in her hands. She had continued buying him the same brand, the same styles he used to adore-sweaters in his favorite colors, jackets she knew would keep him warm, sneakers that were both sturdy and comfortable.

Yet, every time, his reaction had been indifferent at best.

*Thanks, Mom."* he'd say, but the excitement that used to shine in his eyes was gone.

At first, she had brushed it off as a phase, thinking that maybe his taste had simply matured. Children grew up, after all. Their preferences shifted. It was only natural.

So, she had tried again.

She had observed the other kids his age, noted what was trending, and carefully selected new styles that she thought he might like.

But each time, she saw the same reaction-disinterest.

Sometimes, she'd find the clothes still folded neatly in his drawers, unworn.

Other times, she would overhear him excitedly showing off something *Linda* had given him, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

*“Look, Dad! Linda got me this jacket! Isn't it cool?"*

*"Linda picked this out for me-she said it suits me. What do you think?“*

The realization had been slow, creeping in like an unwelcome shadow, until one day, it hit her all at once. It wasn't that she had fallen out of touch with his tastes. It wasn't that she didn't know what he

liked anymore.

It was simply that **he didn't want the things she gave him.**

It didn't matter what it was. If it came from her, he would reject it. If it came from Linda, he would treasure it.

Nora swallowed hard, pushing down the bitter ache that spread through her chest.

Aloha father and son went craz

96.2

She turned her gaze back to the boy ahead of her. He was still bouncing happily, holding a toy that looked exactly like the one she used to play with Alex.

She had spent hours with him, making up stories, creating little adventures where the stuffed animals became heroes of their own worlds.

But Alex didn't care for those toys anymore either.

She had tried picking out new ones, different ones, thinking maybe she had simply misjudged his growing interests. But he had barely glanced at them.

Yet, when Linda gave him something-no matter how small, no matter how insignificant-he held onto it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Nora felt a sharp sting in her heart, a feeling that was neither anger nor sadness, but something deeper, something that left her hollow inside.

She took a slow breath, pulling her coat tighter around her as the winter breeze brushed against her

skin.

No matter how much she tried, no matter how much love she poured into the things she gave him, **he wouldn't want them.**

Because they were from her...

They walked at a leisurely pace, picking out small gifts here and there.

Elisa, ever the enthusiastic child, tugged on Nora's sleeve. "Let's get fireworks!" she suggested excitedly.

Nora smiled, her heart softening at the sight of her bright eyes. "Alright, let's find some good ones."

Just as she was about to step forward, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID.

**Cole.**