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.

With a soft click, Astrella locked the door behind her, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room. In the living room, Raiden sat on the couch, lazily pulling out a cigarette. Norella rushed over to light it for him, a flicker of guilt flashing across her face.

“Raiden…” Norella’s voice quivered as she gazed at him, her face as pale as the moon.

Raiden barely lifted his head, his expression empty, as if the weight of everything had drained him.

Seizing the moment, Norella let a single tear fall, her voice cracking with feigned distress. “Actually, that burger and cola weren’t mine… They were bought by Astrella to frame me. Think about it: how could she know about Reaghan’s illness? How could someone with just a high school education know something even you didn’t?”

Her words dripped with venom, yet she softened them with a tremor of fake vulnerability. “She’s jealous, Raiden. She can’t stand seeing you buy me clothes and gifts. She’s taking it out on the child!”

From the other side of the door, Astrella squeezed her eyes shut, a tide of fury rising within her.

How could she take her anger out on her own child?

Astrella had learned everything she needed to know about handling common childhood illnesses from the parenting books she had devoured, memorizing each remedy and emergency treatment. But Norella? A prestigious university graduate, a PhD from the U.S., how could she lie with such shameless ease?

Yet, Raiden believed her.

He began pounding on the door, his frustration growing. “Astrella, explain yourself! What happened?”

The relentless banging echoed through the house, loud enough to disturb the child who had just fallen asleep. Reaghan stirred in his sleep, his tiny face scrunching in discomfort, before letting out a wail that filled the room with heart-wrenching cries.

Raiden’s voice cracked with desperation. “If you have a problem, take it out on me! Don’t take it out on the child!”

With a swift, forceful kick, the door splintered open and the chaos spilled into the room.

Reaghan’s pitiful cry echoed through the space.

“Don’t cry, Reaghan, Daddy’s here,” Raiden soothed, his voice thick with concern. He scooped the child into his arms, ready to leave, but Astrella’s voice cut through the tension, strained with fury.

“Wait!” she snapped, her finger pointing directly at Norella. “Dare to repeat yourself: who really bought the burger and cola?”

Reaghan, now blinking sleepily, rubbed his eyes and mumbled, “Mom, why are you arguing with Aunt Norella?”

Astrella’s heart twisted painfully. She fought to keep her voice steady. “Reaghan, tell your dad, who bought the burger and cola?”

The child hesitated, shifting his gaze from Norella to Raiden, before whispering something into Raiden’s ear.

Raiden’s expression turned stormy, his voice laced with accusation. “So, it’s come to this and you still want to deny it? Astrella, even your own son says it was you. Are you still trying to frame Norella?”

His words cut through the air like a knife. “Your jealousy has gone too far. You’ve lost all reason to the point of hurting your own child. I don’t think there’s a place for you in this family anymore!”

Astrella’s chest tightened painfully, each breath feeling like it was being ripped from her. She couldn’t believe it; her own son was lying to her.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. But she fought to keep her composure. “Reaghan,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “why would you lie?”

Her heart shattered as she waited for the answer, her mind racing.

Reaghan instinctively clung tighter to Raiden and Norella, his small body trembling in fear as his voice wavered. “Mom, you’ve always taught me not to lie. Please don’t push me like this…”

Raiden’s eyes grew cold, his expression hardening. He handed Reaghan to Norella, his breath steadying as he drew a deep one before slapping Astrella across the face.

“Enough! You’ve completely disappointed me. Your jealousy has clouded your every thought. Is this all you care about?”

“We’ve given you everything: food, clothes, a roof over your head and yet, you’ve become more ungrateful by the day!”

“Leave! Leave right now! I never want to see you again in this lifetime!”

Astrella pressed her trembling hand against her cheek. The sting from the slap burned fiercely and had she not steadied herself against the table; she would have crumpled to the floor.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up, unchecked and relentless. The figures in front of her became nothing more than hazy shadows. All that remained was the icy, suffocating emptiness of the house as if she had plunged into a freezing abyss.

“Fine. Don’t worry, I’ll leave.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. She would leave. Soon. It was inevitable. The moment had arrived, whether she was ready or not.