Chapter 175

Isabella Mom was coming back tonight? I couldn't stop my eyebrows from scrunching together as Dad confirmed she'd be joining us at Great-Grandmother's dinner. The knot in my stomach tightened, my feelings all tangled up like the time I tried to brush my own hair. It wasn't that I didn't want to see Mom. I actually missed her—a lot. Mom had never gone this long without calling me before. Every night since she'd been gone, I'd stare at my phone before bed, wondering if tonight would be the night she'd remember to call. But she never did. Nova whimpered inside me, confused by my mixed emotions. *Why sad about Mother returning?* she asked in my head. I stroked my fork against my breakfast plate, making little patterns in the syrup. The truth was complicated. When Dad had told me Mom was away on a business trip the morning after we'd gotten back from visiting the northern territories, I'd been... happy. Relieved, even. No Mom meant more freedom. No lectures about my medication schedule, no