The house no longer felt like home.


    That night, she slept in Alex''s room, curled up beside him as he clung to her in his sleep.


    The next morning, as Nora prepared to leave, the maid came to collect theundry.


    "Miss Nora, would you like these washed?" The maid asked, pointing to the nightgown she had changed out ofst night.


    Nora nced at them, then shook her head. "No need. Just throw them away."


    The maid hesitated, startled by the request.


    Then, as if realizing something, Nora added, "And those bags in the attic, I don''t want them either."


    There was no ce for those things in her life anymore.


    Just then, Alex came running down the stairs, his schoolbag bouncing against his back.


    "Mom, let''s go!" he called, grabbing her hand.


    She took him to school, dropping him off at the gate.


    Just as she was about to leave, a little boy ran up to her, waving excitedly.


    It was Brian, the neighbor''s son.


    "Nora! Why didn''t youe homest night?" he asked curiously. "My mom made cookies! She wanted to give you


    some!"


    Before Nora could respond, Alex scowled.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" he huffed. "Mom was at homest night. She slept with me."


    When he heard the words, Brian gazed at Alex with a sympathy and understanding beyond his years.


    Though young, Brian had overheard enough adult conversations and observed enough of his surroundings to grasp theplexities of Alex''s life.


    As a neighbor he knew that Alex''s father favored another woman more and that his marriage to Aunt Nora hade to an end, which was why Aunt Nora had moved out.


    But Alex doesn''t seem to know this.


    Brian swallowed hard, then patted Alex''s shoulder in a wordless show of support before hurrying off toward the school building.


    97.4%


    Nora watched the interaction and sighed softly. Some children were more perceptive than adults thought they were.


    It was almost time for ss, and she had no intention of dying the children any longer.


    "Go on now," she said gently, offering Alex a small smile. Alex nodded and followed Brian into the building, his steps dragging slightly.


    Just as Nora turned to leave, a voice called out. "Miss Nora?"


    She turned to see Alex''s teacher approaching, her expression hesitant.


    "I wanted to ask if you were aware of next week''s parent-child program," the teacher said carefully.


    Nora blinked. Parent-child program? Neither Arnold nor Alex had mentioned it.


    That meant they either forgot or, more likely, had already decided Linda would be the one to attend.


    A knowing look passed between her and the teacher, who sighed.


    The unspoken words weighed heavy in the air.


    "Someone else should be here instead when the timees," Nora said lightly, her tone calm but detached. The teacher''s sigh deepened, but she nodded in understanding.


    Nora left without another word, though her thoughts were far from settled.


    It didn''t sting as much as it once had, but there was still a dull ache in knowing that she wasn''t even considered for moments like these.


    She had no intention of forcing herself into spaces where she wasn''t wanted.


    If Arnold wanted Linda to be Alex''s "mother," she wouldn''t interfere.


    Let them see if they could erase herpletely.


    By the time she arrived at the office, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.


    Nora noticed Leo''s uncharacteristically quiet demeanor as soon as she stepped inside. His usually animated coworkers were muttering amongst themselves, their expressions dark with frustration.


    "What happened?" she asked, directing her question toward Leo.


    He exhaled sharply. "After we turned down Linda''s offer to coborate, Arnold set up another design studio under his name. They''reunching a fashion brand in directpetition with us. And, of course, Linda and rk''spany is their exclusive partner."


    A ripple of anger passed through the room.


    Their hard work, their passion, was now facing unnecessarypetition simply because Linda couldn''t handle rejection.


    97.7%


    Nora, however, remained unshaken.


    Of course, Arnold would do this. He had always been Linda''s biggest backer, never hesitating to invest in her dreams-even when they came at someone else''s expense.


    But if Linda thought she could undermine her by stepping into the same industry, she was mistaken.


    A slow, almost amused smile curved Nora''s lips. "Then let thempete," she said evenly. "If they want to y this game, we''ll y too."


    Her confidence startled some of her colleagues, but Leo smirked. He had no doubt that Nora would see this through.


    That evening, she sat by her desk, flipping through the paper Colton had assigned her.


    She was absorbed in revising when a sudden mindlink interrupted her thoughts.


    Alexander.


    “Nora,” his deep voice resonated through the link.


    "Thepany''s been swampedtely, and I was nning to take Eliza on a cruise for a little break. But something came up, and neither my wife nor I can make it. Could you take her for a day?"


    Nora didn''t hesitate. "Of course."


    Elisa is Alexander''s only daughter and she is a smart, sweet girl who has no problem taking care of her for a day.


    Not long after ending the mindlink, her phone rang again.


    Cole.


    She answered and immediately spoke. "If it''s about Abby, I''m sorry. I already have


    ns tomorrow and won''t be able to make time."


    Instead of hanging up, Cole asked, "Is it convenient to say what it was about?"


    He paused and then added, "Abby would love to see you tomorrow. She hasn''t seen you in a long time and she misses you."