She was wayward, but she knew she couldn't be wayward at school. She lay on the bed and said sullenly, “I know.” After lying down for a while, she looked at Freya and said, “Mom, help me squeeze the toothpaste.” Freya responded, “Hmm.”
After Freya went into the bathroom, Isabella picked up her phone and sent a message to Raven, saying good morning. She then went into the bathroom, where Freya squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush. When Isabella was about to brush her teeth, Freya warmed a towel with hot water, wrung it out, and handed it to her to wipe her face.
Isabella opened her wardrobe and asked, “Which one should I wear?” Freya said, “Mom, I’ll change my clothes; you go out first.” Isabella replied, “Good.” After Freya left, Isabella put on the camouflage suit Aunt Raven had picked out for her yesterday. She planned to wear it today to cheer for Aunt Raven at the car race. Thinking of the race and seeing Aunt Raven, she felt happy again.
After changing, Isabella checked her phone and frowned. Usually, Aunt Raven replied to her messages quickly, but today, she hadn’t. Was Aunt Raven angry? She frantically messaged Raven: “Aunt Raven, what’s wrong? Are you angry? You know I don’t want my mother to send me to school; I prefer you, Aunt. Don’t be angry, okay?”
For a while, Raven didn’t reply.
13:24 No More Layovers for a Love That Won’t Land 15.5% Chapter 44
Freya came into the room, saying, “Bella? Are you packed? It’s time for breakfast.” Still without a reply from Raven, Isabella, anxious and impatient, said, “I know, Mom. Can you stop talking? It’s annoying.” She grabbed her bag and went downstairs. Freya watched her, saying nothing, but noticed Isabella’s unfamiliar clothes. Freya usually chose Isabella’s clothes, but since Isabella had gone to another country with Matteo, her style had changed—influenced by Raven’s skateboarding, rock climbing, and paragliding. Raven was dazzling and attractive, excelling in studies and hobbies. Isabella greatly admired her. While Freya felt a pang of sadness about Isabella’s closeness to Raven, she respected her preference and hadn’t said much. Even over the past two years, Freya had bought clothes according to Isabella's current preferences, but Isabella hadn't worn the clothes Freya recently bought; she only wore the ones Raven chose. Seeing Isabella's outfit, Freya instantly understood but said nothing, looking away as they went downstairs.
Maria hadn't woken up yet. The old lady awoke and asked, “Freya and Bella are up so early?” Freya smiled, “Good morning, Grandma.” Isabella, in a bad mood, curtly replied, “Good morning, Grandma.” The old lady noticed Isabella's unhappiness and asked, “Bella, what’s wrong?”
12/24 No More Layovers for a Love That Won’t Land 15.6% Chapter 44
Isabella didn’t speak. She didn’t want to talk. The housekeeper, hearing Freya knock on Isabella’s door, smiled, “She must have been woken up and is in a bad mood.” The old lady listened, smiled, and asked, “Where’s Matteo? Isn’t he up yet?” Freya calmly said, “Matteo went out last night.” The old woman’s face fell; she understood at once but, seeing the children, decided to remain silent.
After breakfast, Isabella ran upstairs to get something she had forgotten. Freya waited downstairs. Isabella’s phone lit up; she received a message. Freya saw the notification from “Kiss Kiss Raven Aunty” and froze. Although Isabella was young, Freya respected her privacy and never checked her phone. But seeing Raven’s message, she hesitated, then looked at it, finally understanding Isabella’s earlier temper.