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!”