Hello Sweetie

Nora stood by Greg's side and watched as the man that walked in approached her father, from her father's face, he was struggling to remain civil. Her mother walked up to her and whispered into her ears, "Be civil at least for her. Think of your baby girl", she tapped her on the shoulders and walked away.

Nora nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She knew her mother was right, and she needed to set aside her personal feelings for the sake of their daughter.

Meanwhile, the man engaged in conversation with one of the children, who excitedly pointed in Graycen's direction. Nora's eyes widened as she watched him make his way toward her daughter, holding a gift bag in his hands. A mix of emotions surged through Nora—shock, disbelief, and a hint of mortification.

Graycen's innocent smile greeted the man as he handed her the gift bag. Nora watched with a mixture of astonishment and concern as her daughter, oblivious to the underlying tension, thanked the man. It was a moment that tugged at Nora's heartstrings, reminding her of Graycen's pure and joyful nature.

The man smiled warmly at Graycen, ruffling her hair playfully. Nora observed their interaction, her mind racing with questions. What was he doing here? The sight of him engaging with her daughter, showing kindness and affection, stirred conflicting emotions within Nora.

As the man walked away, blending into the crowd, Nora found herself caught between conflicting thoughts and emotions. Graycen ran up to her and gave her the gift bag and went back to playing with her friends.

With the birthday celebration continuing around her, Nora's focus shifted back to the festivities. She couldn't let her concerns overshadow the joyous occasion for Graycen and the guests. As she embraced her role as a hostess, a loving mother, and a strong presence for her daughter, her eyes still followed him as he mingled with other parents. Alexander didn't make any move that wasn't beneficial to him, Nora could bet his presence here had an ulterior motive. Nora went to the kitchen to get more treats for the children, she was got up in the activity when he heard his voice. the voice that has hunted her dreams for a long time. "Hello Nora", he said and Nora turned to see him standing by the door.

As Nora turned to face the source of the familiar voice, her heart skipped a beat. There, standing by the door, was Alexander. His presence sent a shiver down her spine, as memories long buried resurfaced with a jolt of intensity.

Alexander Steele was undeniably handsome, with his tousled blonde hair and piercing ocean-blue eyes that seemed to hold secrets. Towering at 6'5" with an athletic build, he exuded a sense of confidence and allure. Nora couldn't deny his physical appeal, but she also knew the darkness that lurked beneath his charming facade.

He was a man of wealth and privilege, from a family of old money and a billionaire in his own right. Alexander carried himself with an air of arrogance, fully aware of the effect he had on others. Nora had experienced firsthand the toxic dynamic that existed between them, and she had learned to be cautious in his presence.

"Hello, Nora," he greeted, his voice smooth and seductive. Nora instinctively took two steps back, an unconscious act of self-preservation. The memories of their past encounters flooded her mind, reminding her of the pain and heartache that had accompanied their relationship.

She maintained a guarded composure, her eyes reflecting a mixture of caution and apprehension. She knew that Alexander possessed the power to disrupt her life, and she had worked hard to distance herself from him and build a new life for herself and Graycen.

"Hello," Nora replied, her voice steady despite the rapid beating of her heart. She mustered her strength, determined not to let him destabilize her. She had moved on, and she would protect herself and her daughter from the toxicity that Alexander represented.

As Alexander approached her, a hint of familiarity and nostalgia in his eyes, he leaned in closer and whispered, "Hello, sweetie." Nora's body tensed at the familiarity of the endearment, but she remained steadfast, not allowing his charm to sway her.

She maintained her distance, a physical boundary that mirrored the emotional boundaries she had established long ago. Nora knew that interacting with Alexander was a delicate dance, one she had learned from painful experiences. She would be cautious, not allowing herself to be drawn into his web of manipulation and control.

With a deep breath, Nora collected herself and addressed him with a firm yet composed tone. "What brings you here, Alexander?" she asked, her words laced with a quiet strength.

As their gazes locked, Nora steeled herself for whatever he had in store. She had come too far in her journey of healing and rebuilding to allow him to disrupt her newfound happiness. At this moment, Nora vowed to protect herself and her daughter, standing firm against the storm that Alexander's presence threatened to unleash.

"I can see our daughter is all grown up", he said with a smirk. Nora's eyes narrowed as Alexander made the audacious comment about their daughter. She felt a surge of protective anger rising within her, her maternal instincts kicking into high gear.

"Our daughter is thriving and happy, despite your absence," Nora retorted, her voice laced with a mixture of defiance and resolve. She took a step back, creating a physical distance between them, refusing to let his proximity weaken her resolve.

As he reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, she instinctively flinched, a reflex born out of past experiences. The touch was intrusive, a reminder of the manipulation and control he had once exerted over her.

"We have nothing to talk about, Alexander," Nora asserted, her voice firm. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait. Our lives have moved on, and I won't allow you to disrupt the peace we have found."

Her gaze held a steely determination, as she asserted her independence and her unwavering commitment to protect herself and her daughter. Nora had fought hard to create a stable and loving environment for Graycen, shielding her from the toxic influence that had characterized her past with Alexander.

"You had your chance, and you walked away," Nora continued, her words laced with a hint of bitterness. "We don't need you now, and we certainly don't need your disruptions."

Her voice remained unwavering, as she refused to be swayed by his charm or the memories of a past that had left scars on her heart. Nora had found strength in her role as a single mother, and she would not allow Alexander to destabilize the peace she had fought so hard to achieve.

"Goodbye, Alexander," she said firmly, her words serving as a final declaration of her independence and her resolve to protect herself and her daughter.

With that, Nora turned away, her steps guided by the strength and determination that had propelled her forward. "I am so sorry for all the pain I caused you. I want you back", Alexander said, Nora paused mid-stride and turned to look at him.