Chapter 51

Freya hadn't eaten dinner and craved something warm, so she agreed to York's invitation. As soon as she sat down, her stomach growled. York was stunned, then realized, “Sister-in-law, you… didn’t have dinner?”

“Mm.”

York immediately felt embarrassed. “Sorry, sister-in-law, it’s all my fault…”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t hungry before.”

York looked at her gentle smile, feeling uncomfortable. He truly thought Freya was wonderful, but it was a shame his brother disliked her.

When Matteo and the others returned home after celebrating with Raven, it was nearly 1 AM. The butler, seeing Matteo return so late with Isabella, asked with concern, “Why so late?” Matteo replied with a brief, “Mm,” and offered no explanation. He sent Isabella to her room, then, upon returning to his own and turning on the light, didn’t see Freya. He asked the butler, “She didn’t come back tonight?”

“Madam? No, she hasn’t returned.”

Matteo was surprised. Freya hadn’t been home much lately; such absences were unusual. Could something serious have happened to her family?

Chapter 51

Isabella had been spending a lot of time with Raven and was enjoying herself immensely. Waking with a big smile, feeling content and in a good mood, she suddenly thought of Freya, happily hugged her stuffed animal, and rushed to the master bedroom. “Mom! Mom!”

The bedroom door was open, but empty. Isabella’s face fell; just then, Matteo emerged from the walk-in closet. She hurriedly asked, “Dad, where’s Mom?”

Matteo, slowly tying his tie, replied indifferently, “She’s not at home.”

“Not at home? Why?”

“If you want to know, ask her.”

“Okay.”

Isabella called Freya. Freya, having just finished her run, answered without thinking. Before Freya could speak, Isabella eagerly asked, “Mom! Where are you?”

Freya didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she asked, “What’s up, Bella? Do you need something?”

Except for Jessica, no one knew where Freya was staying. She was enjoying her independent life and didn’t want to be disturbed, so she wasn't planning to tell Isabella where she was living.

Isabella, with the phone on speaker, lay on Freya and Matteo’s bed, pouting coquettishly. “I miss you, Mom. Can you take me to school soon?”

Freya said, “Mom’s place is a bit far from your school. I won’t make it in time to pick you up today. Maybe next time.”

“Oh… Okay.” Isabella sounded disappointed but immediately requested, “Mom, you must take me to school tomorrow morning, okay?”

Chapter 51

Freya hesitated. She wasn’t eager to return home. Her hesitation didn’t escape Matteo, who had overheard the conversation. He was surprised. Despite the turmoil in Freya’s Miller family, he thought she would readily agree to this small request, given her love for her daughter.

Freya said, “How about letting Dad take you instead?”

Isabella, missing Freya, felt wronged at the denial, her eyes welling up. “No, I want you to take me. You haven’t taken me to school in a while—except for yesterday.”

Since Isabella insisted, Freya said, “Okay, Mom will take you tomorrow.” She agreed not out of pity, but because she felt responsible for her daughter.

Isabella’s face brightened. Matteo, putting on his watch, noticed his daughter wanted to continue talking. He reminded her, “If you don’t go downstairs to eat breakfast soon, you’ll be late.”

Isabella exclaimed, “Ah, I haven’t brushed my teeth or washed my face yet! Mom, I’m going to brush my teeth and wash my face first, I’ll talk to you later!”

Without waiting for Freya to respond, she hurriedly hung up.