Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception
CRIPPLED LUNA’S FAREWELL 51

Chapter 51

"Mom," Alex chirped, breaking Arnold's train of thought. "Can you cook dinner for me tonight? Like you used to?"

Sarah opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the shrill ring of

Arnold's phone cut through the moment,

All eyes turned to him as he pulled the device from his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his face tightening ever so slightly.

The name **Linda** flashed on the caller ID.

Sarah's expression didn't change, but the silence that followed was telling,

Alex's excitement dimmed as he noticed the shift in the atmosphere.

Arnold hesitated before answering,

"Excuse me," he muttered, pushing his chair back and stepping out of the room.

Arnold's voice, though muffled, carried from the hallway.

Sarah couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable-soft, attentive.

It didn't bother her the way it might have before. Instead, it was as if a wall

separated her from the emotions she used to feel about Arnold.

Alex tugged on her sleeve.

"You'll still cook, at night, right?"

Sarah smiled down at him, pushing her own thoughts aside.

"Of course. We'll make something delicious together."

His grin returned, and Sarah couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief.

In Alex's innocent joy, she found a semblance of peace, even if the rest of the house felt like a storm waiting to break.

Arnold picked up the phone and answered with a soft, almost tender tone.

"Linda," he said, his voice a stark contrast to the silence that had blanketed the room moments ago.

Sarah's hand froze mid-reach for her glass of water.

She felt a dull ache in her chest as she watched him speak.

He turned slightly away, his expression unreadable but unmistakably focused.

The intimacy in his tone stung.

She had spent years loving this man, defending their bond, and yet here she was, feeling like a spectator in her own life.

She had told herself time and again not to let it get to her, that she was above these emotions.

But no matter how many times she repeated the mantra, the hurt was always there, lurking beneath her carefully constructed

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exterior.

Arnold finished the call, slipping the phone into his pocket without a word to her.

He didn't meet her gaze as he stood.

"I have to go," he said briskly, his tone reverting to its usual detached coolness.

Sarah nodded, keeping her face neutral even though a knot was tightening in her stomach,

"Of course," she said, her voice calm, almost too calm.

As Arnold turned to leave, Alex's small voice broke the silence. "Dad, was that Aunt Linda on the phone?"

Arnold stopped in his tracks, glancing back at his son.

"Yes," he admitted.

"Are you going to see her?" Alex asked, his bright eyes flickering with curiosity.

Arnold hesitated briefly before nodding.

"Yes, I need to discuss some things with her."

Without waiting for further questions, he exited the room, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air.

Alex turned to his mother, his young face etched with confusion.

"Mom, can I go with Dad to see Aunt Linda?"

Sarah forced a smile, though her heart sank at the question.

"You can ask him, sweetheart," she said gently.

Alex hesitated, looking at the door his father had just walked through.

"But... I don't want you to be mad at me if I go."

Sarah's heart ached as she knelt beside him, taking his small hands in hers.

"Alex, I'm not mad at you," she reassured him. "You can talk to whoever you want."

Alex nodded slowly, but his brow remained furrowed.

"I don't get why doesn't mom like Aunt Linda," he muttered to himself "She's so nice and pretty. And Dad says she's really

smart too."

Sarah smiled faintly, masking the sharp pain his innocent words brought.

"Sometimes grown-ups just don't get along, Alex. It's nothing you need to worry about."

He seemed to accept her answer, though the curiosity didn't completely leave his eyes.

He picked at his food absentmindedly, his appetite suddenly diminished.

"Can we go to school now?" he asked after a few minutes.

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Chapter 51

"Of course," Sarah replied.

As soon as Alex settled into the back seat of the car, he pulled out his cell phone,

Sarah glanced at him in the rearview mirror, watching as his small fingers tapped away on the screen with determination

"Who are you texting?" she asked lightly, though she already had a sinking suspicion.

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Chapter 52