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.