Upon arriving, her husband, Frank, was waiting at the door. The man in his early sixties, with neatly combed silver hair and a gentle face, gave her a warm smile.
Although just a Rank C Awakener who now mostly took care of the house and garden, Frank had always been a calm harbor for Ophelia after her stressful days.
"You're home early today, dear," Frank greeted, opening the door wide. "I've prepared your favorite chamomile tea."
Ophelia returned his smile, though somewhat stiffly.
"Thank you, Frank." She entered, put down her work bag, and gave her husband a brief hug.
Frank returned it tightly, and as always, there was a warmth and stability in his embrace that Ophelia was grateful for.
But today, that warmth wasn't enough. The tingling sensation from earlier hadn't gone away. In fact, the more she tried to ignore it, the more it felt like an itch that needed scratching.
