Chapter 25

Much later, she went out, wandering aimlessly through a country that felt both strange and familiar. Near noon, she remembered her lunch date with Matteo. Recalling their morning conversation, as she debated going home for their daughter, she received a message from Matteo: "[Something urgent came up, lunch canceled.]"

Freya wasn't surprised; she was used to it. In Matteo's world, business, friends—anything—took precedence over his wife. Plans with her were easily discarded at his whim; he never considered her feelings. Had she been disappointed? Perhaps, before. Now, she was numb.

Feeling even more lost, she found herself driving to their usual restaurant. As she approached, she saw Matteo, Raven, and Isabella inside. Raven sat intimately beside her daughter, playing with her while chatting with Matteo. Isabella happily swung her legs, eating pastries Raven had bitten. Matteo smiled, serving them both, but his gaze remained fixed on Raven, as if she were the only person in his world. This was Matteo's "urgent matter." This was the daughter she had carried for ten months, nearly sacrificing her life to bring into the world.

Freya smiled, watching them. After a while, she looked away and left.

Back at the villa, she prepared the divorce papers. He had been her childhood dream, yet he had never truly seen her. Without that night's accident and the old master's pressure, he never would have married her. She had naively believed that if she tried hard enough, he would eventually see her. Reality had delivered a harsh blow. Almost seven years had passed. It was time to wake up.

After placing the divorce papers in an envelope and instructing Auntie Sara to give them to Matteo, Freya dragged her suitcase to the car and told the driver, "To the airport."

It was past nine in the evening when father and daughter returned. Isabella clutched her father's clothes, moving sluggishly as she got out of the car. She hadn't wanted to come home that night because her mother was there. But Aunt Raven said her mother had come to spend time with her and her father, and they would make her sad if they didn't return. Her father also said that if they didn't come back tonight, her mother would surely follow them on their sea trip tomorrow. So, she reluctantly agreed, but remained worried. "Dad," she said glumly, "what if Mom insists on coming with us tomorrow?"

"She won't," Matteo said confidently.

Throughout their marriage, though Freya had always tried to spend more time with him, she was sensible enough to avoid upsetting him when he displayed his disinterest. In Isabella's memory, Freya had always been very obedient to Matteo. Since he said she wouldn't come, she definitely wouldn't.

Isabella felt relieved. Her gloom lifted, and she bounced into the house, telling Auntie Sara she wanted a bath.

"Of course, of course," Auntie Sara responded repeatedly. Then, remembering Freya's instructions, she handed Matteo the envelope. "Sir, Madam asked me to give this to you."

Matteo took it, casually asking, "Where is she?"

"Well… Madam packed and returned home at noon. Didn't you know?"

Matteo paused halfway up the stairs, turning his head. "She went back?"

"Yes."

Matteo never gave Freya a chance to explain why she had suddenly come to Country A; he didn't care. He wasn't bothered by her departure.

Isabella was also somewhat surprised. Hearing the news, she felt a slight disappointment. She had been thinking that if her mother wasn't joining them at the beach tomorrow, having her company in the evening might be nice. Besides, her hands would hurt polishing seashells, and she had wanted her mother's help!