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.