Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Chapter 182 Jealousy

Freya

The phone screen glowed beneath my fingers as I quickly scrolled through their chat history. My heart sank with each message that loaded. Every morning - without fail - Isabella would message Aurora first thing.

"Good morning, Aunt Aurora!" followed by little wolf emojis and hearts. Their conversations stretched for hours, spanning topics that should have been shared with me - her mother.

Selene growled low in my chest, a possessive sound I couldn’t quite suppress. This was my daughter - our daughter - yet another woman had somehow claimed her affections so completely.

When the elevator chimed, I quickly placed the phone back exactly where Isabella had left it, my movements fluid from years of efficient pack management. I turned away, pretending to check my purse.

Isabella bounded into the entryway, snatching up her phone with that eager anticipation I once saw directed at me. Her small face lit up instantly as she read Aurora’s latest message.

The smile that spread across Isabella’s face was radiant - the kind of unguarded joy I rarely received from her anymore. Something twisted painfully in my chest as I turned away, pretending not to notice her happiness.

I could feel Isabella’s eyes darting to my back, checking if I’d noticed her excitement. I kept my gaze forward, shoulders relaxed in practiced nonchalance as I walked toward the garage. Let her have her secrets. Let her have this connection she clearly cherished.

In the car, Isabella settled into the back seat - no longer wanting to sit up front with me like she used to. The constant tapping of her fingers against her phone screen filled the silence between us. Every few moments, she’d glance up, checking if I was watching her. I kept my eyes fixed on the road, giving her the privacy she so clearly wanted.

Our pack territory stretched far, and the elite private school was nearly thirty minutes away. After about half that time, the tapping ceased. Isabella had apparently finished her morning chat session with "Aunt Aurora."

The silence stretched between us until Isabella suddenly spoke, her voice lighter than it had been all morning.

"Mom, are you free this afternoon?"

I kept my eyes on the road, though Selene perked up hopefully at the unexpected question. "What’s up?" I asked, careful not to sound too eager.

Isabella didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked playfully, "What do you think?"

"There’s a lot going on recently," I replied truthfully. "I’m busy. Why?"

From the rearview mirror, I caught Isabella’s triumphant smile. "Nothing... Nothing at all."

Something about her quick acceptance sent warning signals through me. Isabella never gave up that easily when she wanted something. Selene whined softly, sensing the deception before I could fully process it. Isabella wasn’t disappointed that I was busy - she was relieved.

Which meant she had plans that didn’t include me.

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