Chapter 88
“I’m okay,” she murmured, though her face tightened in pain.
“You’re not okay,” Cole stated firmly. Without hesitation, he scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her toward the resort’s medical station.
Nora flushed, caught between mild embarrassment and gratitude. “I can walk, you know.”
“Not with that ankle,” he countered, his jaw set in determination.
Once they arrived, the resort’s doctor examined her injury. “It’s just a mild sprain,” he concluded. “Nothing serious, but she should rest it for a bit.”
Cole exhaled in relief, but he still seemed unsettled. “You should be more careful,” he muttered, crossing his arms as he watched Nora flex her ankle carefully.
“She was protecting me,” Abby interjected softly, looking guilty.
Cole ruffled her hair. “And that’s why we need to make sure she doesn’t get hurt next time.”
After resting, they returned to the slopes for a little longer before heading to a cozy restaurant nearby. The warmth of the indoor fireplace was a stark contrast to the cold outside. They ordered a variety of dishes, and as they ate, exhaustion finally caught up with Abby.
She yawned, her eyelids drooping, and before long, she was nodding off in her chair. Cole smiled faintly and adjusted her scarf, making sure she was warm.
“She really likes you,” he said, glancing at Nora.
Nora smiled, gently stroking Abby’s hair. “She’s a sweet kid.”
As they stepped outside, ready to part ways, Abby clung to Nora’s hand. “Can we play again next time?” she asked sleepily.
Nora knelt down, cupping the little girl’s cheek. “Of course, we can,” she promised.
Cole picked Abby up, cradling her against his shoulder. He watched as Nora walked away, her figure illuminated by the golden glow of the streetlight
Then, he spoke softly to Abby. “Uncle has a secret he needs you to keep. Can you do it??
Abby, still groggy but curious, turned her head and looked up at him. “Uncle Cole, what’s the secret?” she asked in a sleepy voice, rubbing her eyes.
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Chapter 88
Cole smirked slightly. “It’s a special little secret, just between the three of us,” he said, his tone playful but with an underlying seriousness,
Abby’s curiosity piqued. “What is it?”
Cole gently adjusted her scarf. “From now on, when you see Nora, call her ‘Auntie‘ instead of Aunt Nora,” and don’t mention her name when other people are around.”
Abby’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Why?”
Cole chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Because it’s a game. A little secret between us, okay?”
Although she didn’t quite understand the reason behind it, Abby loved the idea of sharing a secret with Uncle Cole and Nora.
It made her feel special, like she was part of something important.
With a bright smile, she nodded. “Okay! I won’t tell anyone!”
Cole ruffled her hair affectionately. “Good girl.”
The next day, Nora decided to visit the mall to shop for new clothes. She strolled through the elegant halls lined with high–end boutiques, the dazzling window displays catching her eye.
However, she wasn’t expecting to run into familiar faces.
As she passed by a luxury jewelry store, she instinctively slowed her pace when she spotted Arnold inside.
He wasn’t alone.
Beside him stood Alex, Linda, and Jenna.
Nora’s gaze hardened slightly. The store had been completely cleared for them, leaving only the four of them inside, along with the store attendants who were eagerly showing them the latest collection.
Jenna looked absolutely delighted, her expression radiating smug satisfaction.
For a moment, Nora felt herself transported back in time–back to the day when she was just a little girl, standing outside her former home, her mother clutching her hand tightly.
That day, Clark had thrown them out, his voice cold and merciless.
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Chapter 88
And standing behind him, watching the scene unfold with that same triumphant grin, was Jenna.
Nora clenched her fists at her sides. She had long stopped feeling anything when people spoke about how well Arnold treated Linda, but watching Alex smile up at Arnold while he tried to please Jenna–It was still a little hard for her to bear.
She quickly turned on her heel and walked away, heading straight to the restroom.
Inside, she leaned against the sink and took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Her heart pounded uncomfortably, and she hated that just the sight of Jenna still had the power to affect her like this.
Scowling at herself, she turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face, trying to wash away the anger bubbling in her chest.
Then, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She pulled it out and saw Arnold’s name flashing on the screen.
She let it ring.
Then it rang again.
And again.
Nora exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the device. She knew why he was calling, but she refused to pick up. She didn’t want to hear his voice right now.
Instead, she silenced the phone, shoved it back into her pocket, and left the restroom.
However, as fate would have it, she had barely stepped outside when she found herself face–to–face with Arnold.
His sharp eyes immediately caught onto hers, a slight frown creasing his forehead. “Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
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