Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 76 Sarah closed her eyes for a brief second, then opened them, her gaze icy.

"No," she said flatly. "Mom has things to do." A pause.

Then, Alex's confused voice. "Huh? Mom said no." Arnold's response was just as indifferent. "Uh-huh." Alex seemed unsettled. "Oh... okay. Then, Mom, bye." "Bye." The call ended, and Sarah stared at her phone, her mind strangely numb.

Back at the house, Alex placed the phone down and looked over at Arnold. "Dad," he said slowly, "Mom seems... angry." Arnold, who had been sipping his coffee, didn't even glance up. "Hm." Alex tilted his head. He wasn't sure why, but he suddenly had a bad feeling.

For the next few days, Sarah worked from home. She kept herself busy, answering emails, reviewing documents, and attending virtual meetings. It was easier this way-she didn't have to leave the house, didn't have to see anyone unless she chose to.

Her injuries from the accident had mostly healed, but she still felt an occasional dull ache in her wrist when she typed for too long.

Alex called her every day. His concern was evident in the way he asked about her well-being, but he never once mentioned coming over to see her.

Sarah wasn't surprised. She had already guessed he wouldn't.

But then, one evening, Alex's voice cthrough the phone with an unusual request.

"Mom, can you taketo the hot springs?" Sarah frowned slightly. "The hot springs?" 14:06 Crippled Luna's Foriuati Chapter 76 "It'll be good for your health too," Alex added quickly, as if sensing her hesitation.

She wasn't particularly interested, but before she could refuse, Alex continued, "If you don't want to, I'll figure out a way to get to the outskirts myself." Sarah exhaled. He was baiting her. He knew very well she would never let him alone to a remote area.

"Fine," she said, rubbing her forehead. "I'll take you tonight." "Great! I'll ask Dad to ctoo." Sarah's fingers tightened around the phone, but she said nothing.

That night, Sarah picked Alex up, but Arnold was nowhere to be seen.

"Dad said he'd be late," Alex explained as they drove.

But when they arrived at the hot spring estate, Arnold still hadn't shown up.

Alex tried calling him several times, his brows furrowing deeper with every unanswered attempt. His shoulders slumped slightly as he pocketed his phone.

Sarah observed him quietly. Unlike Alex, she was perfectly calm.

She had known from the beginning that Arnold wouldn't come.

The next morning, Sarah woke up early and decided to check on Alex. She knocked on his door, only to find the room empty.

The housekeeper informed her that Alex had left early.

"He said he was bored," the housekeeper explained, slightly hesitant.

Sarah nodded, her face unreadable.

It wasn't boredom that made Alex leave early. If he had simply been restless, he could have waited for her to wake up so she could take him somewhere.

No, he had left quietly because he didn't want her to know where he was going.

Because there had been news from Arnold.

And because Linda was likely involved.

Sarah sat by the window, watching the light drizzle outside. The sky was a muted gray, the raindrops rolling lazily down the glass.

Chapter 76 She should have felt something-anger, sadness, disappointment.

But she didn't.

She was just calm.

A Solitary Morning Sarah decided to make the most of her talone.

The hot spring pool was covered, keeping the rain from disturbing the steaming water. She brought a book with her, planning to read while soaking in the warm water.

The moment she stepped in, a soothing heat wrapped around her, easing the tension in her muscles.

The quietness was comforting.

But just as she began to relax, movement at the edge of the pool caught her eye.

A little girl, no older than Alex, crouched near the water, her tiny fingers skimming the surface with curiosity. Sarah put her book down.

The pool was about one meter and twenty centimeters deep. The child looked barely one and a half meters tall. If she slipped- A sudden thud interrupted her thoughts.

The little girl had fallen in.

Sarah reacted instantly. She surged forward, plunging her arms into the water to pull the child girl gasped as she surfaced, coughing and shivering from the shock.

"It's okay," Sarah murmured, wrapping a towel around her small frame. "You're safe now." 1. up. The The girl clung to her, sniffling, as Sarah scanned the area for anyone who might be looking for her.

"Where's your family?" she asked gently.

The child didn't answer.

Holding the girl securely in her arms, Sarah stepped out of the doorway and into the open corridor.

Then she saw him.

14:06 Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Chapter 76 Not far away, a tall man stood under the overcast sky. His sharp gaze landed on them almost immediately.

The little girl in Sarah's arms stopped crying. She stretched her arms toward him, her voice trembling. "Unde..." Sarah's grip tightened slightly around the child.

Cole.

Of all the people she could run into, it had to be him.

Chapter 77 Chapter 77 The moment Cole spotted the little girl in Sarah's arms, his face tensed with worry. He strode forward with urgency, his sharp eyes scanning Abby's damp clothes and trembling hands.

"Abby," he breathed, kneeling down to her level. "Are you okay?" The little girl sniffled but nodded. Her wet eyelashes clumped together, and she clung to Sarah's sleeve, hesitant to let go.

"She fell into the hot spring," Sarah explained calmly. "I pulled her out right away. She was scared, but she's fine now." Cole exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. His jaw, which had been tight with anxiety, loosened as relief swept over him. He turned to Sarah, his gaze filled with something unspoken-gratitude, perhaps, or maybe something else.

"Thank you," ," he said simply, but the sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. "She's not usually this careless." Sarah gave a small smile. “Curiosity gets the best of children." Cole nodded, then turned his attention back to Abby. "Let's get you changed, okay?" Abby nodded again, this tmore eagerly, but even as Cole scooped her up, she cast a longing glance back at Sarah.

Later, after changing Abby into dry clothes, Cole brought her to the dining area where Sarah sat sipping warm tea. The scent of fresh bread and herbal steam filled the air.

As soon as Abby saw Sarah, she hesitated for a brief second, then tugged at Cole's sleeve. "Uncle.... I want to sit with Auntie." Cole raised a brow. "Auntie?” he repeated, glancing at Sarah with mild amusement.

Sarah chuckled. “I guess I've been promoted." Abby, small and shy, climbed onto the chair beside Sarah, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"She doesn't usually warm up to people this fast," Cole murmured, watching the interaction with quiet curiosity, Sarah tilted her head. "Really?" 14.06 Crippled Luna's Farewell. Half A Life Without Chapter 77 Cole nodded. "She's usually very cautious around strangers." But Abby didn't seem cautious at all now. She rested her head lightly against Sarah's arm, a soft sign of trust.

Sarah ran her fingers through the little girl's slightly damp curls. "Maybe she just likes me." Cole hummed, still observing.

Later, as they returned to the guest room, Cole's phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen, then let out a quiet sigh.

"I need to take this," he muttered.

He crouched down, gently setting Abby down. “I'll be back in a few minutes." But as soon as he stepped away, Abby's big brown eyes darted to Sarah, and she reached out her hands.

"Auntie, hold me," she whispered.

Sarah hesitated for a brief moment before giving in, picking her up and C holding her close. Abby snuggled against her, playing with the edge of Sarah's soft bathrobe. Tpassed peacefully as they sat together. Abby's tiny hands played with the fabric absently, her sleepy eyes blinking slowly.

Then, without warning, she tugged-just a little too hard.

The loose knot of Sarah's robe unraveled.

The soft fabric slipped from her shoulders, and before she could react, she felt the cool air against her skin For a second, tfroze.

Cole had just stepped back into the room. His gaze lifted from his phone-just in tto see Sarah's white lace lingerie revealed beneath the open bathrobe.

The contrast of the delicate fabric against her flawless, snow-white skin made him freeze in place. His eyes darkened, his fingers tightening around the phone in his hand. Then, realizing what he was doing, he swiftly turned away, his jaw clenched.

Sarah gasped softly, hurriedly pulling the robe back into place. Her face burned with heat though whether from 'embarrassment or something else, she couldn't say. 14.06 Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life With Chapter 77 A heavy silence settled between them.

Cole was the first to break it. "Sorry." His voice was low, slightly rough.

Sarah straightened her robe, her hands slightly unsteady. "It's fine," she said, but her voice wasn't as natural as she hoped it would be.

Abby, realizing what she had done, looked up at Sarah with big, guilty eyes. Her small hands trembled slightly as she whispered, "Auntie, I'm sorry..." The sight of the child's remorse melted away any lingering embarrassment.

Sarah crouched down and cupped Abby's soft cheeks. "It's okay," she reassured gently. "Auntie knows you didn't mean it." The little girl sniffled and nodded.

Just as the moment was about to pass, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Sarah, why are you here?" Sarah turned toward the voice and found herself face-to-face with Leo.

For a moment, she was caught off guard.

She hadn't expected to see him here, but strangely, his presence lightened the tension in the air.

However, what she didn't expect was the subtle shift in the atmosphere.

The air between Leo and Cole felt thick-charged with something unspoken.

Leo's gaze briefly flickered toward Cole, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Cole's dark eyes remained steady, watching Leo with quiet intensity.

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