---- Chapter 390 Perhaps sensing Maggie''s reluctance to speak with him, Franklin shifted the topic after she finished ordering. "Isabe has a very importantpetition out of town next Thursday. Will you be free that day?" "Yeah, Mommy," Isabe chimed in, "will youe with me?" Since the event was out of town, it would take at least two days for the round trip. Cole, Jamison Group, and Wilson Group all demanded Maggie''s attention-she wasn''t sure she could spare the time. She hesitated. But before she could answer, Isabe read her hesitation and already guessed her response.

How many times had Maggie told her the same thing? I''m busy. I''lle if I have time. Yet even on weekends, even when Isabe stayed at her great-grandmother''s, even under the same roof, Maggie ---- hardly ever spared her time. Thinking of it, Isabe clenched her fork, rubbing it back and forth against her te. Before Maggie could speak, she mumbled, head lowered, "At the training match the other day, every other kid had their mom or dad there. Everyone... except me." At first, when she learned Franklin couldn''te, she hadn''t minded much.

She was used to traveling with the household staff. But seeing other parents transform into cheerleaders for their children-cheering, pping, being there every step-loneliness had struck her hard. She had called her mother right then. No answer. Her father had picked up instead. Hearing Isabe''s voice now, Maggie froze. Words stuck in her throat. Her silence was answer enough. Isabe''s nose turned red; she pressed her lips tightly together and turned away. ---- In the past, no matter how busy Maggie had been, she would have tried to make time somehow. But now...

she had told herself to let go of Isabe. And yet, faced with her daughter''s obvious pain, Maggie''s heart softened instantly. Still... still. She drew a breath and asked Franklin instead, "You won''t be free either?" ''Since Grandmother''s incident, I''ve postponed much work. Tuesday is the final deadline. I must be in Das." Maggie frowned, hands tightening in silence. Watching them push responsibility back and forth, Isabe''s eyes filled. She flung her fork onto the table and red. "If you''re both too busy, then don''te at all.

I''ll go by myself!" With that, she bolted toward the door. ---- Maggie had rarely ever seen Isabe so angry. She froze. Before she could react, Franklin had already moved, scooping Isabe up just as she reached for the doorknob. Isabe struggled. "Let me go!" Franklin''s voice stayed calm. He pinched her cheek lightly. "When have I ever missed something when I had the time?" At his words, Isabe''s sobs faltered. Nestled against his chest, she clutched his shirt without answering-though her gaze darted toward Maggie. She knew very well: Franklin wasn''t the one making her feel abandoned.

She was only taking her anger out on him. The one who had truly hurt her was Maggie.style

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