Since the birth of their child, their once passionate married life had slowly faded into distance. Lately, they had been sleeping in separate rooms.
Now, with his first love back in the picture, maybe Raiden truly had a reason for needing them.
The thought shadowed her expression, a cold weight pressing on her chest. Love was a necessary ingredient in such moments.
Norella’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “I was going to ask how many he uses in one night, but it seems you wouldn’t know. You don’t have the experience, do you?”
Astrella’s cold expression only fueled Norella’s disdain.
“Don’t tell me,” Norella added with a cruel edge, “after you had the child, you two haven’t…? You really don’t take care of yourself. Look at you, so much younger than me, yet already sporting neck wrinkles. What man would want to touch you?”
As Astrella spoke, Raiden rushed out of the room, his face pale, their son cradled in his arms. "Quick, to the hospital!"
Reaghan's small, chubby face was ghostly white, his lips tinged with an alarming shade of purple. "My tummy... it hurts so bad!"
Astrella's heart twisted painfully at the sound of his anguished voice.
She could set aside her own feelings for Raiden, but for the child she had carried and raised, there was no ignoring her bond.
Raiden’s eyes flashed with barely contained frustration as he looked at her. "How are you taking care of him? How did he suddenly get this sick?"
Astrella's eyes burned with unshed tears. In the past few days, Reaghan had pulled away from her, leaving Raiden and Norella to care for him. And now, with their son so sick, they were blaming her?
Choking back her frustration, Astrella forced herself to swallow the rising tide of grievance.
"It looks like acute enteritis. We have navel plasters at home; apply one to the child first…"
But Norella seized the moment, her voice dripping with mockery. "Astrella, darling, you're just a high school graduate. How could you possibly know anything about medicine?"
Astrella ignored her, pushing aside the sting of her words. She swiftly retrieved the medicine box, taking Reaghan from Raiden’s arms with practiced care. Gently, she applied the navel plaster, wrapping him snugly in her coat before rushing out to the clinic.
The clinic was still open, the lights casting a warm glow. After a thorough examination, the doctor offered a reassuring smile.