In a different memory, Effie was staring at the fire dancing in her fireplace with a distant expression. Her usual cheerfulness was gone, and instead, a sense of doubt and unease had taken root in her hazel eyes.
Soon, there was the sound of an opening door, and she looked toward the entrance. She sighed heavily, and then forced herself to smile.
A few moments later, her husband walked into the room and looked at her in surprise.
"Oh? You're home early today. I thought we'd be barely seeing you in these next few weeks."
Effie scoffed.
"Don't sound so disappointed."
Her husband laughed and walked over to hug her.
"Never. I'm beyond happy that you're here. Ling will be beyond himself, too, once he gets back from his lessons… oh, are you hungry? I can cook something up if you are."
Effie smiled.
"You know me. I am never not hungry."
As he went to prepare dinner for them, the smile faded on her face, and she studied his back with a complicated expression.
