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!”
