hapter 91


    Nora gave Cole a somewhat nervous look. She didn''t want onlookers to get the wrong idea about their rtionship. After all, Cole had suspected her before.


    But surprisingly, Cole just smiled and said nothing.


    Nora''s protests were drowned out byughter.


    The crowd had already epted their own version of reality. Nora exhaled, shaking her head as she resigned herself to the misunderstanding.


    She looked down at her grilled meat, not noticing the slightly thoughtful look Cole was giving her. Abby, ever the free spirit, soon found herself engrossed in ying with other children around the campsite.


    That left Cole and Nora alone once again, the crackling of the fire filling the space between them. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.


    It wasn''t ufortable, but there was an underlying tension-one neither of them addressed.


    Finally, Cole broke the silence. "How''s work going?"


    Nora turned her gaze toward him. "Fine."


    Cole studied her expression. "Leo''s known to be strict. You think you''ll be alright?"


    There was a flicker of something in her eyes-surprise, maybe? Amusement? It was brief. "You sound like


    you think I''m just some assistant fetching coffee," she remarked, a small smirk ying on her lips.


    Cole frowned slightly. "Aren''t you?"


    Nora let out a softugh, "No, Cole. I''m not."


    He could sense she wasn''t going to borate, so he didn''t push. Still, the realization that she held a significant role at Stardust Studios gnawed at him.


    He thought about Leo-how ruthless and demanding he was in the industry.


    The thought of Nora being under that kind of pressure made something in him tighten.


    He wanted to ask more, but she had already turned her attention back to the fire, signaling the end of Chapter 91


    that conversation.


    Later that evening, Abby began sniffling, her little face flushed, her energy from earlier noticeably dimmed.


    Cole crouched beside her, cing a hand on her forehead. "She''s running a fever."


    Nora frowned, immediately kneeling down to check on her. "We should get her to a hospital."


    Cole nodded. "I''ll drive. Youing?"


    "Of course," she answered without hesitation.


    They quickly packed up, leaving the campsite behind as they drove through the quiet roads toward the hospital.


    Inside the car, the warmth from the heater made the exhaustion of the long day creep up on them. Abby, bundled up in the backseat, had already dozed off.


    The rhythmic hum of the car engine and the lull of the darkened roads made it easy for Nora''s body to rx, her eyelids growing heavier.


    Cole nced at her from the corner of his eye. She was visibly worn out, her posture slightly slumped, her breathing slowing. Soon, she was asleep.


    A small, unreadable expression flickered across Cole''s face. He reached for his coat and gently draped it over her.


    His fingers hovered just above her cheek.


    There was a strand of hair that had fallen over her face, and for a second, he considered brushing it away.


    But he stopped himself.


    Instead, he pulled his hand back, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.


    Upon arriving at the hospital, they got Abby checked in.


    The doctor reassured them that it was just a mild cold-nothing serious-but she needed rest.


    12:16


    While Cole stayed with Abby, Nora stepped outside to take a breath of fresh air.


    It was then that her phone vibrated in her pocket.


    She nced at the screen. Arnold.


    She hesitated before answering.


    "Nora," his voice came through the line, steady andposed. "I have something going on for the next few days. I need you to take care of Alex for a bit."


    Nora exhaled softly. "Alright."


    No arguments. No questions. She knew her responsibilities as a mother, even if her time with Alex was often disrupted.


    The next morning, she arrived at the vi, her body still sore from the ufortable sleep she had in the


    car.


    Her head felt heavy, her movements slower than usual.


    Alex was waiting for her in the living room, arms crossed, a deep frown on his face.


    "You didn''t take me skiing," he said, his tone sharp.


    Nora sighed. "Alex, I-"


    "I don''t care about excuses!" He snapped. His small hands curled into fists. "You promised." She felt a headacheing on.


    She was too drained to argue, too exhausted to even think about how to smooth things over.


    Arnold, who had been observing, finally spoke. "You look like you haven''t slept well," he remarked. Nora rubbed her temples. "Camping... I''m not used to it."


    The housekeeper, who had been tidying up nearby, offered, "Would you like some sleep soothing incense? It helps rx the mind."


    Nora shook her head. "I usually sleep fine. Just... different environment."


    Arnold watched her carefully, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Winter camping, huh?" Chapter 91


    Nora nodded absentmindedly. "It was nice. Peaceful, in


    1 a way


    way."


    Before Arnold couldment, Alex''s voice cut through the room.


    "Wait," he said, eyes widening. "You went "camping*?"


    Nora turned to him, confused. "Yes?"


    Alex''s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again in disbelief. "You went camping "without me?*"