Chapter 31
She had lived there for nearly seven years, and although it had only been a little over twenty days since she left, it felt like she hadn’t been there for half a lifetime.
In fact, everything–the trees, the grass–hadn’t changed at all.
Maggie had already begun to feel a sense of unfamiliarity with the place.
The butler noticed her and quickly came out to greet her. “Madam, you’re back.”
Maggie paused at the butler’s address, but ultimately didn’t correct him. She nodded and
asked, “Where’s Bella?”
“She should still be asleep.”
It was almost time, and if Isabella didn’t come downstairs for breakfast soon, it would be too late. However, Maggie had no intention of going upstairs herself and simply asked Aunt Sara to go upstairs and urge her.
The butler asked, “Madam, have you had breakfast? It’s ready, would you like to-”
Maggie smiled faintly and shook her head. “No need, I’ve already eaten.”
“I see, understood…”
At that moment, Franklin came downstairs.
Maggie looked at him, said nothing, just gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Franklin paused in his steps. Before he could say anything, Isabella ran downstairs and leapt into Maggie’s arms.
Maggie embraced her, gently ruffling her hair, and smiled, “It’s getting late, hurry and go
have breakfast.”
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Chapter 31
“Mm!”
As expected, the first thing she saw when she woke up was her mother!
Isabella snuggled into her arms, inhaling her familiar scent, feeling content, and happily tugged at Maggie to accompany her. “Mom, come have breakfast with me.”
Maggie didn’t get up. “I’ve already eaten. You go
ahead.”
Isabella pouted. “Then at least talk to me while I eat.”
While mother and daughter were chatting, Franklin had already seated himself at the dining table.
Unable to resist her daughter’s pleadings, Maggie eventually joined Isabella at the table and
sat across from Franklin.
The butler poured her a glass of water. Maggie quietly drank it while listening to Isabella excitedly recount her adventures at school yesterday.
As for Franklin, she completely ignored him.
Franklin noticed the change in Maggie’s attitude immediately.
The last time they returned to the old house, Maggie had been the same.
Thinking about this, Franklin frowned, his eating momentarily paused.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang.
Maggie glanced over and saw that the caller ID displayed “Baby” in bold letters.
She had thought she was beyond caring about such things.
But after loving someone for so many years, could it really be that easy to let go?
The two words stung her heart, and she quickly averted her gaze.
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The Heart I Gave, The Love I Lost
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Chapter 31
The pain in her eyes didn’t escape Franklin’s notice, yet he didn’t hesitate to answer the call right in front of her. His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke, “What’s wrong?”
Isabella noticed the interaction and, in her memory, Franklin only ever showed this kind of tenderness when talking to Julia.
For a moment, she forgot that Maggie was there. She eagerly asked, “Daddy, is that Aunt
Julie on the phone?TM
Franklin answered calmly, “Mm.”
Isabella was about to say that she wanted to talk to Aunt Julie as well, but she remembered that Maggie didn’t like Julia, and her words got stuck in her throat.
Still, her good mood had been affected.
She furrowed her little brows, thinking to herself, if only Mommy and Aunt Julie could get along well
On the other end of the line, Julia seemed to say something that made Franklin frown with worry. He didn’t even finish his breakfast before rushing off.
Seeing him leave in such a hurry, Isabella also grew worried.
But because Maggie was there, she didn’t speak up.
She lost her appetite and tugged at Maggie’s sleeve. “Mom, I’m done eating. Let’s go, hurry!!“
Although Isabella didn’t say anything, Maggie noticed all of her reactions.
She understood that her daughter was eager to leave to find out what was going on with
Julia.
But she didn’t say anything.
Maggie replied, “You haven’t eaten much, take some with you in the car.”
“No, I’m not hungry,” Isabella replied.
The Heart I Gave. The Love I Lost
hapter 31
Maggie paused.
She didn’t insist.
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