Lanta's return with some news

And so it begun, a time of coldness that was colder than any winter outside. Scarlet and Esong avoided being in the same room together. 

When they met by accident, none said a word and each walked away quickly. They suddenly found themselves behaving like strangers.

She thought that it would be easy living in the same house and acting normal but it wasn't. So when Esong stopped sleeping at home, she was a lot more relieved. 

He still continued visiting the children, always at times when she was out doing her governor duties or teleporting in at night.

Sometimes he slept in the nursery and she could detect his energy in the mornings after he left. He was keeping true to some of the promises he had made her at least, and being a good father. He even took Justin out often on little father-son adventures. Their son was happier for it. So far, at least, something good had come out of the holiday they were taking in their relationship.