“Yeah, I’m back. I had some supper.” Isabella watched her mother’s expression, guessing that she had probably seen Austin and herself hugging.

After a pause, she brought it up of her own volition.

“Mom.”

“Isa,” Delphine said at the same time. They both paused.

“Mom, you go ahead.”

Isabella walked up to Delphine. “You probably don’t feel like sleeping now, do you? Let’s go to my room to talk.”

This was so that they did not wake her father and brother. Delphine followed her daughter into the room.

Normally, she rarely entered Isabella’s room. She had stopped going into it without Isabella’s permission after Isabella started attending middle school. Now that her daughter was all grown up, Delphine respected that she needed her privacy and space.

“Have a seat, Mom. Want some water?” Isabella could tell Delphine was restraining herself and invited her to take a seat on the sofa.

“No, thanks. I’m not thirsty. Isa, you only just got back from your business trip this late at night.