After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, she answered.

"Nora." His voice was as steady as always, deep and composed. "I ordered some fireworks a while ago.

Abby mentioned she wanted you to have some."

Nora instinctively began to refuse. "That's not necessary-"

"It was Abby's request," Cole interrupted smoothly, leaving no room for argument.

A brief silence stretched between them before Nora sighed, conceding. "Fine. Where do I pick them up?"

"I had them delivered," he said simply. "You'll see when you get there."

Later That Afternoon;

Just past 2:00 p.m., Nora pulled into the designated location, expecting to pick up the fireworks Cole had arranged to be sent.

But when she stepped out of the car, she didn't find a delivery truck or a stack of neatly packed boxes waiting for her.

Instead, she found **Cole himself** standing there.

She stopped in her tracks.

Cole was dressed in a dark, tailored coat, his stance as composed as ever. The winter breeze toyed with the strands of his dark hair, but he remained unmoved, his gaze resting on her the moment she arrived.

Nora's brows lifted slightly. "I thought you said they'd be delivered."

His lips quirked, just slightly. "They were."

Her eyes narrowed in mild suspicion. "You just happen to be here, then?"

"I was nearby," he said smoothly, though the ease in his tone didn't quite hide the deliberation behind his

actions.

Nora exhaled, shifting her weight slightly. "You didn't have to."

"I know."

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There was something about the way he said it-so effortlessly, yet firm enough that she knew he wasn't

here on a whim.

A moment of silence stretched between them, thick with things unspoken.

Then, Cole motioned toward the neatly packed boxes nearby, "Want me to help load them into your car?

Nora hesitated for a second before nodding. “Sure.”

She had expected to receive a few boxes of fireworks, as Cole had mentioned over the phone, but when she opened the trunk of her car, what she saw caught her off guard,

Nestled among the fireworks were neatly packed New Year's gifts-wrapped carefully, each package exuding warmth.

There were boxes of traditional sweets, festive decorations, and small handcrafted trinkets meant for

children.

Nora frowned slightly, pressing her lips together as she turned to Cole, a question already forming in hernoveldrama

mind.

"This is too

uch," she said, shaking her head. "I can't accept all of this."

Before she could continue, Cole spoke, his tone firm but calm. "They're from Abby."

At the mention of Abby, Nora hesitated. If it had just been from Cole, she would have refused outright.

But Abby-sweet, thoughtful Abby-had personally prepared these? That made it harder to turn away.

After a brief pause, she exhaled and turned back to her car. "Then let me at least give her something in

return."

She reached into the shopping bags she had placed in the backseat, pulling out a few carefully chosen gifts.

She handed them to Cole-small festive items, sweets, and a craft she had worked on. "These are for Abby.

A return gift."

Cole took them without protest, his gaze flickering over the neatly wrapped presents before something

caught his eye.

Among the items was a small, hand-knitted snowflake charm.

He picked it up, running his fingers lightly over the delicate threads. "What's this?"

"I made it myself." Nora's voice was casual, but there was a hint of pride in her tone. "I thought Abby

After I left Alpha father and son went craz

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might like it."

Cole turned the snowflake in his hand, studying the fine details.

It was simple, yet intricate, the kind of gift that carried a personal touch. He

nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "I think she will."

There was something about the moment-a quiet exchange in the winter cold, the unspoken understanding between them. He didn't press her for more words, nor did she expect him to.

Thank you," he added after a moment.

Nora merely nodded, not meeting his gaze.

A few days later, at the old estate, the air was heavy with nostalgia.

The elderly grandma of the family, finally recovered from her previous injuries, had been brought back to the ancestral home.

She lay in bed, watching the dim winter light filter through the large windows, but there was no warmth in her heart.

The house felt emptier this year.

"Nora isn't here," she murmured, her voice carrying a note of disappointment. "It doesn't feel like the

holidays."

Arnold sat by her bedside, silent.

Sensing his reluctance to speak, grandma sighed. "Where is she?"

Arnold didn't immediately answer. Instead, he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, as

if buying time.

"And Alex?" she continued. "A child should not be away from his mother for too long. No matter what happens between you and Nora, Alex should be allowed to see her."