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.”