After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 146 Chapter 146 Nora knew Alex too well to be sensitive to the hint of hesitation and reluctance in his words.

Hearing the noisy voice on the other end of his phone, Nora asked, "Baby, where are you now?" There was a slight pause on the other end.

Alex finally answered, "I'm at the airport, Dad askedto ask if you wanted to come." He couldn't hide sdisappointment in his tone, he had booked a flight out with Aunt Linda, but Aunt Linda had simportant work at the moment, so he had to let the maid take him out.

Dad had told him to ask mom if she wanted to calong, but.......

Alex couldn't help but think, what if Auntie Linda cback from her busy day, how embarrassing it would be to bump into mom.

Nora was silent for a moment and replied, "Mom has to stay at her grandmother's and can't be with you, next twe have a chance, you enjoy your vacation." Alex sighed in relief, “In that case, I'll leave you alone! Mom, I'll be back with a present for you!" Before Nora could say anything else, the phone was hung up impatiently.

Nora was used to Alex's attitude and hung up the phone and went back to her breakfast.

After breakfast, she went out shopping with Alexander and his daughter, Elisa.

The city was alive with festive energy-families moving between stores, couples holding hands as they admired holiday displays, the scent of roasted chestnuts drifting through the cool winter air.

Nora's steps faltered as she caught sight of the small boy skipping down the street, his laughter light and carefree as he clutched a stuffed toy in one hand.

The winter sun cast a golden hue on his dark hair, and the slight bounce in his steps reminded her so much of Alex when he was younger.

A lump formed in her throat as she observed the details-the soft blue sweater he wore, the familiar brand of sneakers, the small patterned backpack slung over his tiny shoulders.

Alex had loved those clothes.

She had spent so much tcarefully picking them out, making sure they were comfortable, stylish, and 96.0% something he'd enjoy.

She used to hold his hand as they walked through stores, watching the way his eyes would light up at a particular jacket or the way he'd insist on trying on different hats just to make her laugh.

She had cherished those moments, believing that she understood his preferences better than anyone. But then, things had changed.

Nora's grip tightened around the shopping bags in her hands. She had continued buying him the sbrand, the sstyles he used to adore-sweaters in his favorite colors, jackets she knew would keep him warm, sneakers that were both sturdy and comfortable.

Yet, every time, his reaction had been indifferent at best.

*Thanks, Mom."* he'd say, but the excitement that used to shine in his eyes was gone.

At first, she had brushed it off as a phase, thinking that maybe his taste had simply matured. Children grew up, after all. Their preferences shifted. It was only natural.

So, she had tried again.

She had observed the other kids his age, noted what was trending, and carefully selected new styles that she thought he might like.

But each time, she saw the sreaction-disinterest.

Sometimes, she'd find the clothes still folded neatly in his drawers, unworn.

Other times, she would overhear him excitedly showing off something *Linda* had given him, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

*"Look, Dad! Linda gotthis jacket! Isn't it cool?"* *"Linda picked this out for me-she said it suits me. What do you think?"* The realization had been slow, creeping in like an unwelcshadow, until one day, it hit her all at once. It wasn't that she had fallen out of touch with his tastes. It wasn't that she didn't know what he liked anymore.

It was simply that **he didn't want the things she gave him.** It didn't matter what it was. If it cfrom her, he would reject it. If it cfrom Linda, he would treasure it.

Nora swallowed hard, pushing down the bitter ache that spread through her chest.

Aloha father and son went craz 96.2 Chapter 146

She turned her gaze back to the boy ahead of her. He was still bounging happily, holding a toy that looked exactly like the one she used to play with Alex. She had spent hours with him, making up stories, creating little adventures where the stuffed animals becheroes of their own worlds.

But Alex didn't care for those toys anymore either.

She had tried picking out new ones, different ones, thinking maybe she had simply misjudged his growing interests. But he had barely glanced at them.

Yet, when Linda gave him something-no matter how matter how insignifican he mall, no t-he held onto it like it was the most precious thing in the world. Nora felt a sharp sting in her heart, a feeling that was neither anger nor sadness, but something deeper, something that left her hollow inside.

She took a slow breath, pulling her coat tighter around her as the winter breeze brushed against her skin.

No matter how much she tried, no matter how much love she poured into the things she gave him, **he wouldn't want them.** Because they were from her...

They walked at a leisurely pace, picking out small gifts here and there.

Elisa, ever the enthusiastic child, tugged on Nora's sleeve. "Let's get fireworks!" she suggested excitedly.

Nora smiled, her heart softening at the sight of her bright eyes. "Alright, let's find sgood ones." Just as she was about to step forward, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID.

**Cole.**