Why the Crocodile Tears (by Flower Sock) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Anathea watched Xander, trying to read something from his face.

Hot Xander just blinked at her, his gaze inwavering as he held the hp of water up to her.

When she didn’t respond, he called again, “Mom?”

Anathea snapped out of her thoughts, her expression softening slightly. “Thank you.”

The water was still warm

She took her medicine with it, and Xander handed her a handkerchief to wipe the water from the corner of her lips.

He held th

the handkerchief, his movements a little clumsy but care

Anathea was momentarily stunned.

“All done.” Xander said, smiling

ΠΕ

These small, thoughtful gestures felt almost unreal to Anathea, so she asked, “Did you have something you wanted to talk to m about, Xander?”

At her words, Xander nodded. “Yes!”

Anathea’s chest tightened as she braced herself for the possibility that he might say something unintentionally hurtful again

After all, at the hospital, he had told her right to her face that he wanted her to divorce Gregory, that he wanted Natalie to be his

mother.

She had heard things like that many times before.

Though she always pretended not to care, that didn’t mean it didn’t sting every time she heard it.

“Mom, can you teach me how to fold a thousand paper cranes?

Anathea was surprised that that was all he asked, and she hesitated for a second.

“It’s homework, but I don’t really know how to do it,” Xander explained.

He tugged at the hem of her sleeve, looking up at her pitifully. “Can you, Mon?”

So… All Xander wanted was for her to teach him how to fold paper cranes?

Anathea felt a pang of guilt for assuming the worst about a child.

No matter what, Xander was still her son, so she nodded. “Alright

The moment she agreed, Xander’s face lit up with pure joy. “Yay!”

The school must have given this assignment to encourage parent–hild bonding

Anathea could feel it working, especially when, after she demonstrated a few different ways to fold a paper crane, Xander started looking at her with admiration in his eyes.

“Mom, you’re amazing! You know so many ways to fold them!”

Anathea froze for a second. This was the first time Xander had ever praised her.

He had never complimented her like this before.

For a moment, she felt complicated

She took a slow breath to steady herself, then smiled at him. “Which one do you want to learn?”

Chapter 71

“since you’re teaching me, I want to learn all of them!” Xander w already eager to start.

Anathea’s expression softened as she began teaching him from the simplest method.

+25 BONUS

Xander had always been a smart child. He was quick to pick things up. It wasn’t long before he had mastered all the techniques she had taught him.

He carefully folded a particularly beautiful paper crane and held it in her. “Does this one look good, Mom?”

“Yes,” Anathea replied while nodding

“Then, this one’s for you!”

Xander cupped the paper crane in both hands and held it out to her, “Do you like it?”

Anathea’s hands stilled as she looked at the delicate paperetane front of her.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify