Chapter 99
Grandma Wilson had intended to subtly encourage Matteo to care for Freya more, but it was no longer necessary. She didn't look at Matteo and, with a faint smile, said, "Grandma, the food will get cold soon." Grandma Wilson, however, assumed Freya was avoiding the topic and didn't want to continue discussing Matteo. After all, whenever Matteo ignored her, and Grandma Wilson scolded him on Freya's behalf, Freya always defended him. Grandma Wilson sighed helplessly, "You, always siding with him." Freya just smiled without saying anything. Matteo's expression remained indifferent; his face didn't change after she spoke up for him.
It was getting late, so it was indeed time to eat. Grandma Wilson stood and took Isabella's hand. "Isabella hasn't had a meal with Grandma for a long time. How about sitting with Grandma today?" Isabella nodded obediently, "Okay." "Such a good girl," Grandma Wilson said, glancing at Matteo. The unspoken meaning was clear. Freya knew Grandma Wilson was trying to pair her with Matteo again. She didn't look at his reaction and followed Grandma Wilson into the dining room. As she sat across from Grandma Wilson and Isabella, she saw Matteo pull out the chair next to her and sit down.
Grandma Wilson seemed pleased, and after the dishes were served, she said to Matteo, "Serve Freya some food." Freya didn't look at Matteo and said, "No need, Grandma, I can help myself—" Before she could finish, Matteo had already picked up her favorite stir-fried pork and placed it in her bowl. Freya paused, "...Thank you." Matteo didn't speak.
Whenever Grandma Wilson asked Matteo to serve food, it wasn't just about placing one or two pieces on her plate; he was expected to attend to her throughout the meal. So, when Freya's dish was almost empty, Matteo would refill it, and the food he served was always what she liked. However, this didn't necessarily mean anything. After all, this had happened many times over the years, and Matteo's memory—even without consciously trying to remember—naturally recalled her preferences.
After the meal, Matteo stayed with Grandma Wilson to chat. Freya sat quietly by, rarely speaking and hardly looking at him. Seeing that they had been together for so many years but still seemed to lack communication, Grandma Wilson sighed in frustration. By around 9 p.m., Grandma Wilson was tired and waved her hand, signaling for everyone to go upstairs and rest.
Freya bathed Isabella and blow-dried her hair. Isabella looked at her quietly as she dried her hair, suddenly realizing that her mother seemed to be talking less recently. Before, her mother always found lots of things to talk about with her. Seeing Freya's thoughtful expression, Isabella asked, "What's wrong, Mom?" Freya smiled and asked, "What's the matter?" Isabella shook her head, "Nothing." Maybe she was just overthinking it, or perhaps her mother had something on her mind and didn't feel like talking.
After Freya finished drying Isabella's hair, she rolled around on the bed and asked, "Mom, will you sleep with me tonight?" Freya paused, "Do you want me to sleep with you?" "I'm fine either way. But Mom, it seems like you haven't spent much time with Dad lately. Don't you want to go and sleep with Dad?" "I'll go back in a bit." Her divorce certificate with Matteo hadn't come through yet. If Grandma Wilson found out that she stayed in her daughter's room without a reason, there would likely be more trouble.
After leaving Isabella's room, Freya returned to her own. The lights were on, and Matteo was sitting at his desk with his laptop, working on something. When he saw her return, he glanced at her briefly. Freya avoided his gaze, heading straight for the walk-in closet to pick some clothes and then went to the bathroom for a shower. When she came out of the shower, Matteo was still typing away on the keyboard. Freya changed into her nightgown and sat on the edge of the bed. After doing her skincare routine, she saw that it was still early, so she leaned against the headboard and started reading a book. In the bedroom, the two of them quietly went about their own tasks without exchanging a word.