When Raiden had insisted their child shouldn't be subjected to rote learning, she had stayed home, carefully teaching him each lesson.
Years of meticulous effort, yet none of it had ever been acknowledged or appreciated.
To them, father and son alike, no matter how much she did, it was met with cold indifference.
She turned, heading back to her room and overheard Norella’s warm laughter behind her.
“Reaghan, Raiden, you two are wonderful; you’ve given me the warmth of a real family.”
Reaghan kissed Norella’s cheek.
“Aunt Norella, you’re better than my mom. Why don’t you stay and be my mom instead?”
Astrella pressed her lips together, her gaze steady and silent. She turned and entered her room, the laughter and words echoing in her ears.
She opened the bookshelf, tossing aside parenting books and children’s lesson plans, dumping them into a bamboo basket before dragging it outside.
Only Norella was in the living room; Raiden and Reaghan had gone to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Engrossed in a TV shopping ad, Norella turned quickly at the sound of movement.
Her brows knitted in confusion. “What’s in the basket?”