Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 156

The airport, the people around them, the waiting client—all of it faded for a moment.

Arnold was watching her the way he always did, with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. He didn’t blink, didn’t waver. Then, with that deep, steady voice of his, he spoke.

"When are you free these days?"

"Whenever I'm not free," she answered evenly.

The client, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow, surprised by her distant tone toward the Alpha.

Arnold, however, didn’t react. Instead, a small, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips. He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Alex misses you."

Sarah stilled.

Alex.

She had been prepared for anything—manipulation, teasing, even veiled threats—but not this. Not the mention of Alex.

A flicker of something softened in her eyes, but it was gone in an instant. She forced herself to remain detached.

"I already spent time with him this month," she said coolly. "I don’t have time for more."

Arnold raised an eyebrow at that, his expression unreadable. But he didn’t press further. He only gave her a long look, then stepped back.

They parted without another word.

As soon as he was gone, the client turned to her with barely concealed curiosity. "Are you and Arnold a couple?"

Sarah’s reaction was instant. "No."

Sharp. Absolute.

The client chuckled awkwardly. "You look good together."

Sarah said nothing.

She didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

The next few days were relentless. STARLINE Studio was busier than ever, with major clients lining up for negotiations. Cole was among them.

When he walked into the building, his sharp eyes scanned the bustling environment, assessing. But before he could move toward his destination, he encountered someone unexpected.

Flora.

She flushed the moment she saw him, smoothing her hair quickly as she stepped forward. "Mr. Cole," she greeted, her voice carrying an eager sweetness.

Cole inclined his head in polite acknowledgment. He didn’t say much.

He knew who she was—one of Linda’s friends, someone who hovered in influential circles but never quite belonged in them.

The employee beside Flora spoke up, eager to make introductions. "Mr. Cole, this is Flora, our company's design director."