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Chapter 323

In Isabella’s case, she, Franklin, and Condecora stayed together.
When Isabella said, “You come with me to participate,” rather than responding positively, Maggie simply replied, “We’ll see.” Isabella understood this point all too well; she was aware of the situation.
Isabella had chosen her for an important event, but Maggie didn’t seem particularly happy about it. The competition would be the following weekend. Generally speaking, she was free on weekends. Besides, when a child has a competition, it’s a significant event for the family. Parents often prioritize their child’s matters.
In the past, she would have prioritized Isabella. Other miscellaneous things would have taken a backseat. But now…
Maggie saw the expectation in Isabella’s eyes. Still, she vaguely said, “Mom will see when the time comes. If there’s nothing important, I’ll go with you to the competition.”
Over the past six months, Isabella had called her many times and expressed numerous wishes. She had developed a pattern: whenever Maggie used uncertain phrases like “we’ll see” or “if,” it usually meant that she wouldn’t accompany her.
Upon hearing this, Isabella’s nose tingled, and her eyes began to redden. She let go of Maggie’s hand, sniffled, and softly said, “Oh,” without elaborating further.
Maggie noticed her reaction. While she couldn’t claim to be entirely unaffected, she didn’t change her mind. She reached out, intending to rub Isabella’s head before leaving. However, as she stretched her hand out, Isabella turned her head, pouting and refusing to look at her.
Maggie paused, withdrew her hand, and chose not to comfort her. She simply turned to leave. Franklin watched all of this unfold, neither persuading Maggie nor stopping her from departing.
Isabella turned her face away from Maggie but kept an eye on her movements. When she heard the sound of Maggie’s high heels fading away, signaling that she was really leaving without comforting her, Isabella couldn’t hold back any longer. She ran to Franklin, hugging his leg and crying loudly.
Isabella’s coach watched, confused. Isabella was much smarter than other children. She was lively, had her own opinions, and over the past six months, the other children at the fencing academy had cried countless times. But this was the first time he had seen Isabella cry.
That morning, Maggie had answered all of Isabella’s requests with enthusiasm and had been gentle and meticulous in taking care of her. He hadn’t expected that Maggie, knowing Isabella was sad and disappointed, would still leave without a second glance. It gave him the impression that she had already stopped caring for Isabella as her daughter. This coldness truly surprised him.
If another man had been in Franklin’s place, he probably would have gotten angry and scolded her. But Franklin showed no signs of blaming Maggie. There was no reprimanding or arguing between them. He just calmly watched as Maggie left.
Franklin bent down, picked Isabella up, and gently wiped the tears from her face with his thumb. “Are you that upset?”
Isabella, holding onto his neck, cried even harder, accusing him through sobs, “I’m sad, and Mom doesn’t care about me… She just left… without saying anything…”
Franklin calmly replied, “Yes, Dad saw.”
Isabella cried louder, her sobs intensifying. “Mom, does that mean she doesn’t love me anymore…?”
Franklin smiled gently. “No, she doesn’t.”
Isabella, still tearful, looked at him. “Really… really?”
Franklin pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her nose. “Dad promises.”
Isabella felt a little better, but thinking about how Maggie had left without comforting her, she started crying again.
“Then why didn’t Mom comfort me…?”
Franklin pinched her soft little cheek, smiling without replying.
Isabella, still angry, pointed at him. “I’m so upset, and you’re… you’re smiling…”
Franklin took the backpack from the coach and, while carrying it, started walking out, holding Isabella. “Then how about Dad takes you out to eat, to make up for it?”
Isabella frowned. “…”
“I don’t want that. I just want Mom.”
“This isn’t something Dad can decide. You saw it yourself—at your mom’s, Dad has no say.”
Isabella pouted and said nothing.
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