One day before school reopened, Owen returned home early in the morning.
Inside the house, Mehrin was busy preparing breakfast. At the same time, she was talking to Ariana on a phone call, her voice light and relaxed.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Mehrin walked toward the door and opened it. Seeing Owen standing there, she smiled warmly.
"Oh, you're here, my dear," she said.
Owen didn't respond. With a slight frown on his face, he ignored her and walked straight to his room.
Mehrin watched him go, slightly confused, but she didn't stop him. She returned to the kitchen and continued her conversation with Ariana.
"What happened?" Ariana asked.
"Nothing," Mehrin replied. "Owen's mood just doesn't seem right."
"Maybe he's not feeling well," Ariana suggested.
"Could be," Mehrin said calmly. "He just came back from his father's house. Maybe he caught a cold on the way."
There was a pause on the line.
"Wait… Owen goes to Oliver's house?" Ariana asked, surprised.
"Yes," Mehrin answered. "I send him there myself. I let him go wherever he feels comfortable. After all, he is his father."
"Alright," Ariana said softly.
Mehrin sighed.
"I don't know why, but every time he comes back from his father's place, he walks around with a long face."
"Oh… so that's the reason," Ariana replied. "Maybe someone there is influencing him against you."
"No, that's not possible," Mehrin said firmly. "We've been divorced for years now. Owen has grown up—he's turning sixteen this year. And his father has already remarried."
Ariana fell silent for a moment. Then she changed the topic.
"Anyway, leave it. Sarah was telling me that tomorrow is the first day of school."
"Yes," Mehrin said with a small smile. "Owen finished all his preparations fifteen days ago."
Both of them laughed.
"I'll talk to you later," Mehrin said. "I need to step out for some work. Bye."
"Okay, bye," Ariana replied.
Mehrin ended the call, but her smile slowly faded as her thoughts returned to Owen and the quiet mood he had brought home with him.