Chapter 45

She quickly flipped through their chat history, discovering that Isabella sent Raven a good morning message every day. They chatted daily, and for a long time. Hearing the elevator, Freya feigned ignorance, returning the phone to its place.

Isabella grabbed her phone and saw Raven's reply. Raven explained she couldn't stay angry and hadn't replied sooner because she was still half asleep. Isabella smiled happily. Freya, walking ahead, glanced back, instantly understanding the source of Isabella's joy. Lost in her happiness, Isabella didn't notice.

In the car, Isabella sat in the back, continuing to message Raven, occasionally glancing to see if Freya was watching. Relieved to see Freya focused on driving, she continued. After chatting with Raven for half an hour—the school was far away—she stopped. Her mood lifted, she turned to Freya.

“Mom, are you free this afternoon?”

Freya, without turning, asked, “What’s up?”

Isabella responded playfully, “What do you think?”

“There’s a lot going on. I’m busy. Why?”

Isabella smiled brightly. “Nothing… nothing at all.” Knowing her mother's afternoon schedule meant Freya wouldn't pick her up, Isabella realized she could see Raven after school without being caught.

At school, Freya briefly spoke with Isabella's homeroom teacher before heading to the classroom. As they reached the door, a sweet voice called, “Sister Mag!” Freya paused as a small figure rushed into her arms. Fearing a fall, Freya quickly bent and caught her.

The child looked up, and Freya recognized her. “Tommy?” It was the little girl she’d saved from a dog a few days earlier.

Tommy, with two cute braids, was rosy-cheeked and adorable. Her smile was sweet and innocent; she seemed well-behaved. Freya instinctively softened her voice and smiled. “Tommy, are you studying here too?”

Before Freya finished, Isabella forcefully pushed Tommy away. Freya caught Tommy, preventing a fall. “Tommy, are you okay?”

Tommy shook her head, upset and confused. “Why… why did you push me?”

Isabella hadn't initially noticed the girl in Freya's arms. Seeing their familiarity and Freya's continued embrace, her expression soured. Seeing Tommy about to cry, Isabella sneered, “So delicate, so pink and soft. Ugly and disgusting!”

Tommy was sweet-looking, adorable, and appropriately dressed—the kind of child everyone would want to hug and kiss. Nothing about her was ugly or disgusting. Always praised for her appearance, this was a first.

Tommy burst into tears, clinging to Freya. Freya quickly soothed her. “No, Tommy, you’re not disgusting at all. You’re beautiful and cute. Don’t you think so?”

Tommy’s mood improved slightly, but before she could speak, Isabella, still seeing Freya holding and praising Tommy, burst into tears.

“I… I don’t like you anymore! I don’t want you to be my mom!”

She tried to run, but Freya quickly stopped her. Isabella's words surprised Freya. Though angry, Freya didn't want to scold her in front of everyone and embarrass her.