“Aunt Norella, hurry up! I’m waiting for you!” Reaghan called eagerly, his voice filled with impatience.

Raiden cleared his throat, his voice cracking slightly, a flicker of panic flashing across his eyes.

“Norella’s just telling a story to the child, so…”

He trailed off as though scrambling for the right words.

Astrella remained composed, lifting her glass of water with a calm grace. “Alright, you all go ahead. Don’t keep the child waiting.” She turned and walked to her room, her steps steady, as if none of it truly affected her.

As she pushed the door, she realized it wouldn’t budge. Glancing down, her gaze met the firm grip of a large hand holding the handle.

Caught off guard, she found herself locked in a stare with Raiden’s deep brown eyes. There was a fleeting flash of surprise and unease there, but it quickly vanished.

“Astrella, don’t misunderstand,” he said quietly, his voice low.

Taking a deliberate step back, Astrella shook her head with calm detachment.

“Misunderstand what?”

The question made Raiden’s lips twitch, a visible struggle passing over his face. He remained silent, unable to offer a reply.

Beside them, Norella looked uncomfortable, shifting on her feet. “I’m sorry for disturbing you both. I’ll leave now.”

But before she could turn, both Astrella and Raiden spoke in unison, “You can’t leave!”

Raiden seemed even more surprised as he studied Astrella, his gaze probing and skeptical.

“You don’t have power at home. I can’t feel at ease,” he said, stepping past Astrella and taking Norella’s hand in his.

“Go keep the child company. I’ll sleep on the couch,” he added gently, his tone warm.

The ease between them was undeniable, striking in its familiarity.

Norella glanced up at Raiden, her fingers fiddling with the jacket draped over her shoulders. She pulled it slightly aside to reveal a sliver of pale skin.

“But… I’m just an outsider. I should be the one sleeping on the couch…”

Outsider? Wearing her husband’s jacket and telling stories to their child, how could she call herself an outsider? Norella’s words were a thinly veiled attempt to provoke.

Astrella felt a sharp pang of bitterness in her chest, but she quickly pushed it aside. What did it matter now? Her marriage to Raiden had always been out of gratitude and with her departure on the horizon, there was no room for such thoughts.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she brushed past Raiden and opened the door. She stepped inside, locking it behind her.

What she didn’t know was that as the door clicked shut, Raiden’s breath quickened, his body tensing with something unspoken.

That night, sleep claimed her easily, peacefully and undisturbed.

The next morning, she awoke, pulled the earplugs from her ears and slipped into her workout clothes. She needed to keep her body in top shape if she was going to pass the test to become a pilot.

Aside from the six months she’d spent on maternity leave, she’d never let her fitness slide, often using the university track for her early morning runs.

At Arindale University, morning runs were a rite of passage for students and many of them recognized her immediately.

"Good morning, Miss Brooks!"

"Morning, Miss Brooks!"

Though she wasn’t a teacher, the students still greeted her with the same respect, mainly due to her connection with Raiden.

After covering a thousand meters, she wiped the sweat from her brow and made her way to the university cafeteria.

"Miss Brooks, grabbing breakfast for Mr. Lancaster again? The usual three?"

Raiden had a fondness for pancakes with maple syrup, while Reaghan preferred blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs. That had become their "usual three."

The tomato soup, a comforting blend of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and a touch of cream, was simmered to perfection and served with a side of crusty bread.

On a winter morning, a steaming bowl of it was both soothing and filling.

Once she finished her breakfast, she glanced at the clock. It wasn’t even 8 a.m. yet. She decided to change and head to the library.

Living on campus made everything easier—reading, eating and everything in between. She appreciated the convenience Raiden’s arrangements had brought her.

But when she returned home, she found Raiden and Reaghan, one tall and one small, blocking the doorway.

From behind, she heard Raiden’s cold voice.

"Where did you go?"

"The cafeteria," Astrella replied with calm composure. She slipped off her shoes and coat, still feeling the chill from the outside air.

Raiden froze for a moment, his gaze dropping to her empty hands. His brows furrowed, a storm of frustration brewing.

Reaghan pouted, his small voice filled with complaint. “Mom, why didn’t you get my favorite chocolate chip cookies? And Dad’s pancakes?”

Astrella blinked in surprise. “I thought you two had already eaten.”

Ever since Norella had moved next door, making sandwiches for Reaghan, he’d developed a taste for them. They quickly replaced his old favorites, like bagels with cream cheese and hard-boiled eggs, which now lay forgotten in the trash.

“I don’t want those! I want ‘white people food.’ Auntie Norella says sandwiches are the healthiest breakfast!”

Reaghan clung to Raiden’s sleeve, his expression a picture of misery. “I hate Mom the most. Dad, take me to find Aunt Norella.”

Raiden’s lips quirked in a faint, understanding smile as he gently patted the boy’s head. “Alright, Daddy will take you to Aunt Norella.”

As he carried the child past Astrella, a flicker of dissatisfaction clouded his gaze. “From now on, don’t worry about me or the child.”

Astrella froze for a heartbeat but then nodded with quiet composure. “Alright.”

Raiden’s jaw tightened and with a harsh slam, he shut the door behind him.

She changed her clothes, grabbed her bag and headed to the library. When she returned that evening, the familiar sight of the pair on the couch, lost in a cartoon, greeted her. The air was thick with the mouthwatering aroma of food drifting from the kitchen.

Reaghan glanced at her nervously, aware that his mother rarely allowed him to indulge in TV. He shifted closer to his father, stealing a quick look at Astrella before turning his attention back to the screen.

Raiden, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to her presence, engrossed in the show, as though he hadn’t noticed the woman who truly held dominion over the household.

“You’re back, Astrella,” Norella called from the kitchen, carrying a platter of dishes. The fragrance of four carefully prepared dishes and a steaming soup filled the room, a comfort for the senses. “Raiden, Reaghan, wash your hands and come eat.”

After dinner, Astrella wiped her mouth with a quiet grace before heading back to her room. She sat at her desk, opened her laptop and began reviewing the day’s lessons.

Not long after, a knock on the door echoed through the stillness. Raiden entered, his expression as serious as always. “Astrella, who are you showing that sour attitude to?”

Astrella lifted her gaze, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling as they locked with his.

Caught off guard, Raiden’s gaze flickered for a moment and he quickly turned his head, avoiding her stare. “You ate the meal Norella made. Shouldn’t you be the one washing the dishes?”

For years, Astrella had done all the housework, sweeping, mopping, laundry, cooking, even fixing doors and unclogging drains. Every time she asked him to do something as simple as washing a dish, he would flatly refuse, claiming it was a woman’s responsibility.

But with Norella, it seemed the rules changed.

Astrella tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Sorry, I’ve been busy lately. Don’t fuss over such trivial matters.”

Raiden frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. What could possibly keep a housewife so busy? His gaze dropped and his long fingers hovered over the laptop just as he was about to open it and see what she was working on.

Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of something shattering.

Raiden sprang into action, rushing out the door with Astrella hot on his heels.

He moved quickly, his tall frame shielding Norella as he gazed down at her tear-streaked face, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.

“Your hand is injured. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“Daddy, I want to come too!” Reaghan jumped off the couch, his eyes wide with concern as he looked at Norella. “Auntie, I’ll blow on it for you. Mommy says it won’t hurt if I blow on it.”

As her words left her lips, both Reaghan and Norella turned to her, surprise flickering in their eyes.

Reaghan quickly dropped Norella’s hand, his cheeks turning a shade of red. “No need for a hospital. A band-aid will do.”

Raiden’s gaze shifted to her, sharp and expectant, silently demanding the first aid kit.

Once, a look like that would have sent her scrambling, her hands already reaching for the kit before he could show a hint of impatience.

But now? It didn’t matter. She didn’t care anymore.

“The kit’s in the second drawer of the TV cabinet,” she said, unmoving, her voice steady.

Raiden’s jaw clenched and the flicker of irritation in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

Instead, Norella crouched down, her fingers swiftly finding the first aid kit. “Raiden, it’s right here, iodine and cotton swabs, too.”

Reaghan leaned in with a curious gaze and Norella’s eyes sparkled. “Reaghan, you’re growing up fast. Do you think you can help Auntie clean the wound?”

“Of course!”

With a serious nod, Reaghan carefully dabbed iodine on the wound, his little breath gently blowing on it as if it could ease the pain.

Norella’s lips curled into a proud smile. “Our Reaghan is something special. Raiden, he’s learned so much from you.” Her gaze lingered on Raiden, her eyes soft with warmth.

Raiden cleared his throat, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, his ears turning a subtle shade of red.

Reaghan puffed out his chest. “Of course! When I grow up, I’ll protect Dad and Aunt Norella.”

A surge of bitter emotion swirled in Astrella’s chest.

She couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh, bitterly amused at herself.

The day after she gave birth, she started washing Reaghan’s diapers, which continued until he was three.

When Raiden had insisted their child shouldn't be subjected to rote learning, she had stayed home, carefully teaching him each lesson.

Years of meticulous effort, yet none of it had ever been acknowledged or appreciated.

To them, father and son alike, no matter how much she did, it was met with cold indifference.

She turned, heading back to her room and overheard Norella’s warm laughter behind her.

“Reaghan, Raiden, you two are wonderful; you’ve given me the warmth of a real family.”

Reaghan kissed Norella’s cheek.

“Aunt Norella, you’re better than my mom. Why don’t you stay and be my mom instead?”

Astrella pressed her lips together, her gaze steady and silent. She turned and entered her room, the laughter and words echoing in her ears.

She opened the bookshelf, tossing aside parenting books and children’s lesson plans, dumping them into a bamboo basket before dragging it outside.

Only Norella was in the living room; Raiden and Reaghan had gone to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Engrossed in a TV shopping ad, Norella turned quickly at the sound of movement.

Her brows knitted in confusion. “What’s in the basket?”

Astrella’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Just some useless things. I’m thinking of selling them for scrap.”

Norella stood, lifting the lid and finding the basket brimming with early childhood education books. “Why are you throwing away books? That’s so uncultured! These are good books. How can you be a mother like this? No wonder Reaghan isn’t close to you.”

Astrella opened her mouth to respond, but her gaze shifted to Raiden emerging from the kitchen. She clamped her lips shut, swallowing her words instead.

Norella’s tone softened instantly, her gaze shifting to Raiden as her lips curved into a warm smile. “Raiden, look at these books Astrella is planning to throw away. What a waste! If we used these to educate Reaghan, maybe he’d turn out as impressive as you one day!”

Raiden glanced at the bamboo basket, wiping his hands slowly. “No need. We weren’t raised with books back then and didn’t we turn out fine? Don’t trouble yourself over it.”

At his words, Norella’s eyes suddenly welled with tears, her voice thick with emotion.

“Raiden, are you still upset about me leaving to study abroad? I never said goodbye, leaving you to bear the pain alone. It was my fault. I came back to make it right. Please, let me do more for you.”