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.”
