Behind her, the shadows of Raiden and Norella merged on the pavement, stretching long and indistinct. The two slowed their pace until their shadows overlapped completely. A slender arm slipped through Raiden’s and Norella leaned in, pressing a kiss shyly to his cheek.
Raiden’s breath hitched, his pulse quickening at the touch.
When Astrella reached home, she turned abruptly, only to catch sight of Raiden’s flushed face. His ears and neck had turned a deep shade of red and a flicker of discomfort crossed his features.
Reaghan was sprawled on the couch, munching on a burger and fries, the TV blaring in the background. He barely glanced up as Astrella entered before grabbing a can of iced cola and drinking it down without a care.
Raiden walked past them without a word, calling his son into the bathroom as he did.
Left alone in the living room, Astrella and Norella stood in silence.
Norella slipped off her coat, revealing a new dress beneath, her gaze sharp and mocking.
“This,” she said with a smile, “was bought for me by Raiden. He said I looked great in it. Tell me, has he ever bought you anything like this?”
Of course not.
The thought echoed silently in Astrella’s mind.
For years, she had always been the one buying clothes for him, every season, eight outfits, four pairs of shoes, each carefully chosen and brand new from the mall. His suits were always pristine, his leather shoes gleaming with an almost unnatural shine.
But her own clothes? They came from the discount racks near the zoo, ten dollars for one, fifteen for two.
Seeing Astrella’s silence, Norella tossed another bag in her direction, a mocking smile on her lips.
“Look,” Norella said, her voice dripping with satisfaction, “even lingerie; Raiden bought this for me. This foreign brand, one set, costs five hundred!”
“And lipstick, perfume, anything I desire, even things I don’t want, he buys it all for me.”
Norella’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“Oh, how could I forget the best part?” she added, sneaking a box of condoms from her bag. She held it up with a wink as if showing off a prized possession.
“When he paid, he slipped this in secretly. Do you think this brand is any good? I honestly don’t have much experience with it myself.”
Astrella moved her lips slightly, her voice barely a whisper. “If you two want to use them, then use them…”