Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Chapter 163 The Call She Didn’t Answer

Isabella

I bounced on my bed with pure excitement after hanging up with Dad. We were going home! And we were going to surprise Aunt Aurora! I couldn’t wait to see her face when we showed up unexpectedly.

But then,as I hugged my plushie tight against my chest,I realized something. Going home meant seeing Mom again.

My excitement dimmed a little. It had been days since Mom’s regular calls,and at first,it had felt like freedom. No more lectures about studying harder,eating properly,or going to bed on time. No more detailed questions about my day that made me feel like I was being interrogated.

I’d deliberately missed her calls at first,leaving early or turning off my phone after school. Then I’d stopped,worried she’d be angry.

But she hadn’t called again.

I frowned,a strange feeling settling in my stomach. Mom had never gone this long without calling before. Even when she was mad at me for getting that B in math,or when I accidentally broke her favorite vase,she’d still called. She’d lectured me,sure,but she’d called.

Because Mom always said I was the most important person in her world.

Before I could think twice about it,I reached for my phone and dialed her number. But just as it started ringing,another thought hit me: when we went home,I probably wouldn’t see Aunt Aurora as much anymore.

Mom didn’t like Aunt Aurora. She never said it directly,but I could tell by the tight way she smiled whenever Aunt Aurora visited. And Mom always found excuses for me to be busy when Aunt Aurora invited me places.

Angry all over again,I hung up before Mom could answer.

The phone rang almost immediately after. Mom’s picture appeared on the screen—her smiling face making my stomach twist with confusing feelings.

I turned away,refusing to answer. Let her worry for once.

When the landline rang minutes later,I knew exactly who it was. Sure enough,Auntie Sara knocked on my bathroom door soon after.

"Young Miss? Your mother called. She was worried because you hung up."

I rolled my eyes,toothbrush still in my mouth. "I pressed it by accident," I lied,foam dribbling down my chin.

Auntie Sara nodded,clearly relieved,and hurried downstairs to call Mom back.

I snorted after she left. Good. Mom deserved to worry a little. She was probably only calling because she felt guilty about ignoring me.

But as I rinsed my mouth,staring at my reflection,my wolf whimpered softly inside me. She missed Mom. She missed her scent and her warmth and the way Mom would sing to us when I couldn’t sleep.

"Stop it," I whispered fiercely to my reflection. "We don’t need her. We have Dad and Aunt Aurora now."

But even as I said it,I couldn’t quite meet my own eyes in the mirror.

Freya

The phone’s sharp ring jolted me from sleep,my heart leaping at the sight of Isabella’s name on the screen.

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