"You're back!"
Catarina's grin stretched wide, welcoming her son despite his late return after midnight. "Why are you still awake?" Vio questioned with a slight frown as he shrugged off his long coat. "What kind of mother could sleep without knowing her son's safe?"
Catarina shot him a playful glare, scolding him gently with warmth in her eyes. "Sorry, I had an important design meeting. You can rest now; I am fine, as you can see very clearly" Vio's voice remained firm, distant, as if the warmth in his heart had long frozen over.
Catarina's smile faltered. A quiet ache lingered in her chest, guilt twisting in her thoughts. It was almost difficult to obtain a reaction from him; he had become so indifferent. She could not help but wonder if she was the reason he had shut down his emotions.
