She rubbed her temples, about to speak when Isabella interrupted. “Daddy’s on a business trip. I’m so bored. Mommy, please come home soon.”

Matteo was on a business trip? Freya paused. She was about to divorce Matteo; she didn't need to care about him anymore. But she still had a responsibility to Isabella until she turned eighteen. Thinking this, she said, “Alright, I’ll come back in a little while.”

That night, Freya made sweet and sour ribs and soup for Isabella. She stayed for the next two days. On Friday, Old Madam Miller called, asking her to come home for dinner. Freya took Isabella back to the Miller family home.

Only Old Madam Miller was there; the others were out or at school. Old Madam Miller didn't know Isabella had returned from abroad. Seeing Freya with Isabella, she was overjoyed. Isabella and Old Madam Miller were close, and Isabella's antics had the old lady laughing. That evening, Freya and Isabella stayed at the Miller home.

The next morning, Freya woke early to make pies. Old Madam Miller watched with a nostalgic look, remembering Freya's pre-marriage aversion to housework. She sighed. Freya, understanding, smiled and said, “Cooking calms my mind. I really enjoy it.”

Freya had gained weight since her last visit. She wasn't as thin, and Old Madam Miller felt more at ease. After finishing the pies, Freya chatted with Old Madam Miller before heading upstairs. Isabella was already up, brushing her teeth.

As Freya tidied her clothes, she noticed Isabella's iPad had received a message from Raven. “Is Bella awake? I’ll be back this afternoon, and we’ll have dinner together tonight. How about I take you out to play tomorrow?”

Freya glanced at the message, then quickly looked away, tossing Isabella's clothes into the washing machine. When she returned, Isabella was holding her iPad, quickly hiding the screen from Freya. Freya didn't call her out, instead saying, “The pies are ready. Come downstairs for breakfast.”

Isabella cheerfully jumped out of bed. “I haven’t had your pies in so long! Yay!”

At breakfast, Old Madam Miller happily asked, “What would you like to eat for dinner, Bella? I’ll have someone make it for you.”

Isabella, aware Old Madam Miller disliked Raven, quickly whispered, “Grandma, Daddy’s coming home tonight. I want to have dinner with him.”

Old Madam Miller hesitated; she hadn't seen Isabella in a long time. But Isabella's clear attachment to Matteo over the past two years didn't seem to concern her.

Freya knew Isabella was lying but pretended not to notice. Helping Old Madam Miller, she said, “It’s fine. I’ll stay and keep you company.”

It seemed odd for a wife to stay at her parents' home when her husband was returning from a business trip. But given Matteo's treatment of Freya and Old Madam Miller's disapproval of their marriage, she wouldn't mind if Freya divorced him. So, hearing Freya, Old Madam Miller smiled. “Alright, our Freya is so good.”

Isabella, initially worried about making an excuse to ditch Freya and meet Raven, felt relieved by Freya's words. When they left, Old Madam Miller packed many of Isabella's favorite foods. Freya pushed them back, suggesting they be given to her uncle's children instead.

After Isabella left, Freya contacted Matteo's housekeeper, asking for a ride home. She didn't go to see Isabella off. Old Madam Miller noticed this and found it strange, but didn't dwell on it.