Astrella’s words rippled through the crowd, sparking hushed whispers.

"A man caught between two women, what’s that about?"

"He seems so polished, but who knew he was such a charmer?"

Raiden’s face darkened at once, his jaw tightening as he grabbed Reaghan’s hand. Without sparing a glance, he stormed off, his steps heavy and fast.

Norella, on the edge of tears, hesitated for a moment before scrambling to follow him, her heels clicking nervously against the pavement. But the rush caught her off guard. She stumbled, losing her balance and falling hard.

Raiden turned in an instant, his instincts kicking in. He shot a quick, pointed glance at Astrella, then hurried to Norella’s side, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. With one last look at Astrella, he walked away, the tension between them as thick as ever.

As Raiden and Norella disappeared from view, Astrella calmly finished selling the last of her items. She paused for a moment, her gaze steady as the crowd began to disperse and then, with two boxes of steaming buns in hand, she made her way toward the residential compound for faculty families.

It was a place she’d visited often, a second home of sorts, where the retired professors lived quietly, relying on each other for support. Many had no families to care for them and the simplest tasks became increasingly difficult with age. Astrella had seen their struggles and stepped in without a second thought, bringing meals, doing laundry and helping with the day-to-day chores. One of them had even been the mentor of her late coach, a connection that had always stayed with her.

With her departure looming, she felt a deep urge to see if there was anything more she could do for them one last time.

To her surprise, as soon as Astrella stepped into the building, her eyes were drawn to the funeral wreaths that lined the entrance. A chill ran through her as she knocked on the door, waiting through a long silence before it finally creaked open.

When she learned that her late coach’s mentor had passed away as well, she could feel the weight of the news settle heavily on her chest. Her heart ached as tears welled up and without a second thought, she left every bit of money she had on her with the family before leaving, the grief too overwhelming to express in words.

Returning home, her steps felt heavy and the restlessness in her heart refused to settle. She switched on the desk lamp, its warm glow falling on the model airplane displayed on the table. She sat there for what felt like an eternity, her thoughts drifting.

Outside, the sounds of doors opening and closing, punctuated by the laughter and lively chatter of others, seemed so near, yet somehow distant from her own turmoil.

She picked up the borrowed English cassette from the library, flipped it open and started the familiar routine of listening, repeating the words over and over as if trying to drown out her thoughts.

As she prepared to go to bed, a knock echoed through the quiet room, followed by the unmistakable rattle of the door handle. She waited, heart in her throat, until her pager beeped, bringing her a message.

Raiden: [It’s me. Why are you locking the door now?]

It wasn’t like she’d just started locking it today.

They had been living apart for six months and for six months, Astrella had kept the door locked. Since he hadn’t made the first move to reach out, she had been more than content with the peace it brought her.

When she didn’t respond, another message chimed in. "Open the door!"

Raiden stood outside, the words stirring something in him that he couldn’t quite define. In his mind, Astrella had never been this cold toward him. He couldn’t remember when it had all shifted.

The Astrella he remembered had been like a small sun, always glowing with enthusiasm, chasing after him with eyes full of life. Her gaze had always sparkled when it landed on him, brimming with warmth and affection.

But now, something was different.

Just a few nights ago, when Norella had shown up at their door late, wearing nothing but a bathrobe, Astrella hadn’t even flinched. There was no surprise in her eyes, no reaction at all.

Even when their son became too attached to Norella, clinging to her like a lifeline, Astrella had simply stayed silent.

And now, today, she had done something unimaginable: selling the gifts she had once given them.

A heavy discomfort pressed against Raiden’s chest, like a thick block of cotton, suffocating him with its weight.

Astrella had turned into something cold, a lifeless stone. The warmth and light she once radiated toward him had disappeared, leaving only emptiness.

The thought of it made his heart tighten. As his hand rose to knock on the door, his phone rang, breaking his troubled thoughts.

"Raiden, the university needs you to go on a business trip to Maplewood. With the year winding down, considering your situation, you’re allowed to bring your wife and child. It’ll be a good chance to relax and all expenses will be covered."

Something stirred deep inside him.

Astrella was from Maplewood, yet after their marriage, she had never once returned. She’d been too busy caring for him.

Without thinking, Raiden found himself agreeing to the offer, the words slipping out of him as if they were the only solution.

After hanging up, a faint smile tugged at his lips, the first one in what felt like ages. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, soft, delicate hands snaked around his waist, pulling him gently back.

“To Maplewood? The snowy scenery at Pinecrest Lake is absolutely breathtaking. Can you take me with you?”

Before he could respond, Reaghan emerged from his room, clutching his Ultraman toy with excitement.

“Dad, take Aunt Norella and me to Maplewood! We don’t need Mom anymore!”

At that moment, the door swung open and Astrella stepped in, her eyes catching the scene. Reaghan, realizing his slip-up, quickly clamped his hand over his mouth and dashed back to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Caught off guard, Raiden quickly peeled the hands from his waist, a faint blush creeping onto his usually composed face.

Astrella, as if she hadn't seen a thing, smiled gently, the curve of her lips betraying nothing but calm.

Not long ago, her parents had visited and they had given their blessing for her to become a test pilot. There was no longer any need for her to return to Maplewood. Besides, with closed training starting soon, she wouldn't be able to join him on the business trip.

Seeing her reaction, Raiden swallowed nervously, his voice barely a whisper. "Astrella..."

Astrella cut him off, her voice calm and distant. “Since you’ve already made the arrangements, pack up and get ready to leave. I won’t be going. It’s just as well Mr. Emerson passed away and his family’s gone. I’ll see him off.”

With that, she closed the door, her figure disappearing behind it.

Perhaps it was her indifference that caused Raiden to refrain from seeking her out that evening.

The next night, after returning from wearing mourning black, Astrella found a note waiting for her on the table. [We went to the department store to buy some things. We’ll be back later.]

It was the first time Raiden had ever left her a note. The first time, he’d made the effort to inform her of his whereabouts.

After reading the note, Astrella placed it back on the table, took a hot shower, changed into fresh clothes and grabbed her backpack before heading out.

Despite it being a holiday, the library buzzed with students. Once she found an empty seat, she dove right into her work.

Two hours later, her pager beeped.

Raiden was asking her where she was.

“Library.”

“I didn’t know you were so passionate about studying.”

Not wanting to disturb the quiet, Astrella decided to borrow a few books to read at home. As she reached the library’s entrance, she spotted Raiden waiting for her.

“It’s late and it’s not safe. I’ll come pick you up from now on.”

Astrella opened her mouth to refuse but hesitated. After all, she’d only be coming here for a few more days.

Before she could speak, a shadow fell behind Raiden.

“Astrella, my dear sister, why the sudden dedication? I remember you only graduated from high school. Are you planning to apply to our university?”

Raiden frowned slightly. “Are you planning to go to university?”

Why hadn’t she asked him for tutoring? Why insist on doing it all herself?

He sighed inwardly. Astrella had always been this way, independent to a fault.

Astrella’s lips curled into a faint smile, but she said nothing.

It was true she had only graduated from high school, but her academic performance had always been stellar. After passing the rigorous aviation recruitment exam, she went straight into the Flight Academy.

Had Raiden forgotten? Or had he simply never cared?

Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, Astrella slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked ahead.

Behind her, the shadows of Raiden and Norella merged on the pavement, stretching long and indistinct. The two slowed their pace until their shadows overlapped completely. A slender arm slipped through Raiden’s and Norella leaned in, pressing a kiss shyly to his cheek.

Raiden’s breath hitched, his pulse quickening at the touch.

When Astrella reached home, she turned abruptly, only to catch sight of Raiden’s flushed face. His ears and neck had turned a deep shade of red and a flicker of discomfort crossed his features.

Reaghan was sprawled on the couch, munching on a burger and fries, the TV blaring in the background. He barely glanced up as Astrella entered before grabbing a can of iced cola and drinking it down without a care.

Raiden walked past them without a word, calling his son into the bathroom as he did.

Left alone in the living room, Astrella and Norella stood in silence.

Norella slipped off her coat, revealing a new dress beneath, her gaze sharp and mocking.

“This,” she said with a smile, “was bought for me by Raiden. He said I looked great in it. Tell me, has he ever bought you anything like this?”

Of course not.

The thought echoed silently in Astrella’s mind.

For years, she had always been the one buying clothes for him, every season, eight outfits, four pairs of shoes, each carefully chosen and brand new from the mall. His suits were always pristine, his leather shoes gleaming with an almost unnatural shine.

But her own clothes? They came from the discount racks near the zoo, ten dollars for one, fifteen for two.

Seeing Astrella’s silence, Norella tossed another bag in her direction, a mocking smile on her lips.

“Look,” Norella said, her voice dripping with satisfaction, “even lingerie; Raiden bought this for me. This foreign brand, one set, costs five hundred!”

“And lipstick, perfume, anything I desire, even things I don’t want, he buys it all for me.”

Norella’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“Oh, how could I forget the best part?” she added, sneaking a box of condoms from her bag. She held it up with a wink as if showing off a prized possession.

“When he paid, he slipped this in secretly. Do you think this brand is any good? I honestly don’t have much experience with it myself.”

Astrella moved her lips slightly, her voice barely a whisper. “If you two want to use them, then use them…”

Since the birth of their child, their once passionate married life had slowly faded into distance. Lately, they had been sleeping in separate rooms.

Now, with his first love back in the picture, maybe Raiden truly had a reason for needing them.

The thought shadowed her expression, a cold weight pressing on her chest. Love was a necessary ingredient in such moments.

Norella’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “I was going to ask how many he uses in one night, but it seems you wouldn’t know. You don’t have the experience, do you?”

Astrella’s cold expression only fueled Norella’s disdain.

“Don’t tell me,” Norella added with a cruel edge, “after you had the child, you two haven’t…? You really don’t take care of yourself. Look at you, so much younger than me, yet already sporting neck wrinkles. What man would want to touch you?”

As Astrella spoke, Raiden rushed out of the room, his face pale, their son cradled in his arms. "Quick, to the hospital!"

Reaghan's small, chubby face was ghostly white, his lips tinged with an alarming shade of purple. "My tummy... it hurts so bad!"

Astrella's heart twisted painfully at the sound of his anguished voice.

She could set aside her own feelings for Raiden, but for the child she had carried and raised, there was no ignoring her bond.

Raiden’s eyes flashed with barely contained frustration as he looked at her. "How are you taking care of him? How did he suddenly get this sick?"

Astrella's eyes burned with unshed tears. In the past few days, Reaghan had pulled away from her, leaving Raiden and Norella to care for him. And now, with their son so sick, they were blaming her?

Choking back her frustration, Astrella forced herself to swallow the rising tide of grievance.

"It looks like acute enteritis. We have navel plasters at home; apply one to the child first…"

But Norella seized the moment, her voice dripping with mockery. "Astrella, darling, you're just a high school graduate. How could you possibly know anything about medicine?"

Astrella ignored her, pushing aside the sting of her words. She swiftly retrieved the medicine box, taking Reaghan from Raiden’s arms with practiced care. Gently, she applied the navel plaster, wrapping him snugly in her coat before rushing out to the clinic.

The clinic was still open, the lights casting a warm glow. After a thorough examination, the doctor offered a reassuring smile.

"Acute enteritis. Luckily, you applied the navel plaster in time and kept him warm. Otherwise, he would have been in much more pain."

The doctor’s tone softened. "Just be careful. No cola or hamburgers for him anymore. And avoid hot and cold food combinations, they're a nightmare for his stomach."

Astrella nodded silently, her heart squeezing as the doctor continued, "Preschoolers have delicate digestive systems. When you get home, stick to cereal and nutritious meals."

Raiden stood there, his head hanging lower with every word, his expression darkening further.

When Astrella carried her son back home, the sight of the hamburger boxes and cola bottles on the table struck her like a dagger to the heart. The weight of it hit her all at once and a flare of anger ignited within her, scorching through her veins. It was a fire that demanded no response, no words, just pure, unrestrained fury.

Without a second glance, Astrella tightened her grip on her son, the child who had always been her world and turned away. She retreated to her room, seeking solace in the quiet, away from the mess they had left behind.