Nora hesitated as she read Cole''s message. Fireworks sounded nice, especially since Abby would be there, but the thought of standing together under the night sky, watching the bursts of color explode above them, felt... too intimate. Too much like something a family or a couple would do.


    She had already seen how others mistook them for a family. The warmth in Abby''s


    eyes whenever she looked at her, the way Cole always made space for her in


    their little outings-it was too easy to fall into the illusion. And illusions were dangerous.


    So, with steady fingers, she typed back:


    **Nora:** *I can''t tonight. Already have ns with my family at Center Square.*


    Cole''s response was immediate.


    **Cole:** *Alright. Have fun.*


    Simple. No pressure, no further questions.


    Nora exhaled softly, relieved.


    Meanwhile, Abby, still giddy from her conversation with Nora, epted another video call-this time


    from Alex.


    "Abby!" Alex''s voice rang out, his face filling the screen. "Guess what I brought back for you?"


    He grinned, holding up a small stuffed wolf with a jeweled cor. "Cool, right? Limited edition! Got it. from a specialty store."


    Abby''s eyes widened. "That''s so cute!" she giggled. "Thank you, Alex!"


    Feeling yful, she lifted her own treasure-a delicate, handmade snowke charm-and held it up to the camera. "Look! My aunt gave me this!"


    The smile on Alex''s face wavered. He stared at the charm, a flicker of recognition in his gaze.


    *That looks just like the ones I used to have...*


    And yet, seeing Abby treasure her gift so dearly... something inside him shifted.


    He suddenly wanted it again.


    13:45


    After I left, Alpha father and son went crazy


    98.79%


    "Hey, where did you say you got that?" he asked, his tone casual.


    Abby tilted her head. "My Aunt made it for me! You can''t buy it in stores!” she said proudly.


    Looking at the charm, Alex froze, his fingers tightening around the phone.


    The delicate snowke design was familiar-too familiar.


    His mind reeled back to childhood winters, when his mother would sit by the warm firece, knitting small trinkets just like this. Back then, he had thought little of them, epting them absentmindedly


    before tossing them aside.


    As he grew older, he had found them childish, unnecessary. One day, without much thought, he had instructed the maids to clear them out, letting them gather dust in the attic.


    But now, seeing Abby hold it so preciously, warmth spreading across her small face, an unfamiliar ache


    settled in his chest.


    *Hadn''t he once had that same expression?* He couldn''t recall the exact moment when he stopped


    caring.


    When had he started taking his mother''s gestures for granted?


    A strange longing filled him, one he didn''t entirely understand. It wasn''t just about


    the charm-it was about what it represented.


    Almost instinctively, he turned to Arnold. "Can you buy one for me?"


    Abby shook her head, holding the charm closer. "You can''t buy it. My aunt made it herself."


    "Dad," he called, holding up his phone. "Can you get me one of these? I want one, too."


    Arnold nced at the screen before returning his focus to his papers. "If it''s handmade, you''d have to ask


    your mother yourself," he replied smoothly.


    Disappointment flickered in Alex''s eyes, but only for a moment. His mother had skillful hands. If he asked


    her, she would make one for him too-right?


    At that moment, as if remembering something, Arnold took the phone from Alex''s hand. After saying


    hello to Abby, he politely gestured for Abby to hand the phone over to Cole.


    "I want to discuss something with Uncle Cole" he said gently..


    Cole took the phone from Abby, bringing it to his ear. "Hello?"


    Arnold''s voice was steady. "What are you doing tonight?"


    13:45


    After I left, Alpha father and son went craz


    98.94%


    Cole nced at Abby, who was twirling in circles, excitedly waving her fairy wand. "Taking Abby to see


    the fireworks."


    Arnold hummed in acknowledgment before continuing, "Alex has nothing nned. Would you mind


    letting him join you?"


    Cole hesitated.


    It wasn''t a direct request-it was a test. Arnold rarely asked for favors, which meant this wasn''t just about


    fireworks.


    Cole''s grip on the phone tightened slightly. "Tonight''s not convenient," he replied evenly.


    Arnold was silent for a moment before saying, "I see. No matter. I''ll have a servant take him."


    The call ended.


    Cole returned the phone to Abby and ruffled her hair absentmindedly, his gaze unreadable.


    The night air was crisp, filled with the lively hum of conversation and bursts ofughter. Center Square was already bustling with people-couples, families, groups of friends all enjoying the festival lights and street performers.


    Nora had agreed to take Elisa out since Alexander was busy, and as soon as they arrived, a few of Elisa''s friends swarmed around her, excited to see her.


    "Nora, you''re the best sister ever!" Elisa beamed before running off with her friends.


    Nora smiled, watching them chatter excitedly. She didn''t mind waiting-she enjoyed the festive energy.


    She was standing near a decorativentern disy when she heard someone call her name.


    "Nora!"


    She turned around to see Cole walking toward her, Abby skipping beside him. The little girl held a sparkly fairy wand, waving it in the air like she was casting spells.