Chapter 30 Apology Would Be Less
Mason found himself caught off guard by his mother's persistent questioning, his frustration mounting as he struggled to concoct a plausible excuse. Yet, Nina's probing only intensified, leaving him feeling cornered and defensive.
"I had to meet a friend," Mason lied, hoping to evade further interrogation.
Nina's skepticism was palpable as she pressed for details, refusing to let him off the hook so easily. "Which friend? And was this friend truly more important than your sick wife?"
Mason's irritation boiled over as he attempted to deflect blame onto Isabel. "You're blowing this out of proportion, Mom. Why can't you just leave me alone? It's not like my presence would magically cure Isabel. I'm not a doctor."
Nina recoiled at the sharpness in Mason's tone, her disappointment evident as she confronted him head-on. "You still can't accept Isabel as your wife, can you? You've been putting on an act, deceiving us all."
Mason stood frozen, his facade crumbling under Nina's piercing gaze. His expression betrayed a mixture of guilt and defiance, unable to deny his mother's accusations.
Nina felt a pang of devastation as she realized the depth of Mason's deception. Though her suspicions had been confirmed, she couldn't shake the profound sense of betrayal at being lied to by her own son.
"What kind of elaborate tale are you concocting now to try and deceive me? Are you not tired of incessantly lying to us?" Nina's voice dripped with scorn and disappointment as she confronted Mason.
Mason found himself at a loss for words, realizing there was no way his mother would buy into any more of his excuses. He felt a surge of frustration and self-pity, resenting the position he found himself in. Lying to his parents went against everything he stood for, but he saw no other option.
In a desperate attempt to deflect blame, Mason lashed out at Isabel once again, refusing to accept responsibility for his actions. "I made fools out of you and Dad? Seriously, Mom?"
Nina's laughter was bitter and incredulous, tinged with a hint of sadness at her son's inability to see the truth. She was taken aback by Mason's harsh accusations against Isabel, realizing just how deeply he resented her.
"So, you're suggesting we made a mistake in choosing her as your wife? You think we're so gullible and blind that we can't discern the right person?" Nina's voice was laced with disbelief as she probed Mason, seeking to understand the depths to which he would sink to justify himself.
"You've got it all twisted, Mom. What I mean is, she never belonged in our family, and you failed to see it. She played the saint to worm her way into this affluent family and wreak havoc on our relationships," Mason seized the opportunity to cast Isabel as the villain in their strife, hoping to sway his mother's opinion.
Nina was taken aback by Mason's cunning tactics, realizing how he was trying to manipulate her into viewing Isabel negatively. Her anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.
"If you heap any more baseless accusations on Isabel, it won't sit well with me. I won't tolerate such slander behind her back," Nina's tone was sharp with fury, her patience wearing thin.
Mason bristled at his mother's defense of Isabel, feeling a surge of indignation. He harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Isabel for causing discord between him and his mother, wishing he could eradicate her from his life.
"Mom, why can't you see? She manipulated you into making her my wife so she could reap the benefits of this wealth. She's not the innocent girl you think she is. She's nothing but a greedy opportunist who—" Mason's tirade was cut short by a resounding slap across his cheek. Stunned, tears welled up in his eyes as the reality of his words sank in.
"Mom! You slapped me!" Mason exclaimed in disbelief, his gaze fixed on Nina, who stood before him, her anger unabated.
Unable to contain her fury at Mason's vile accusations against Isabel, Nina grappled with the overwhelming disappointment of hearing such venomous words from her own son.
"If you utter one more word against her, I'll disown you as my son," Nina's warning pierced the tense air, silencing Mason.
"You know what? I can't even bear to look at you right now. Just leave my room," Nina's voice cracked with fury as she expelled him, unapologetic for her outburst.
Mason wasted no time in departing, his humiliation weighing heavily upon him. He not only vacated the room but also fled the house, unable to face his mother after the humiliation of the slap.
Left alone, Nina grappled with the weight of her actions, consumed by guilt for unwittingly entwining Isabel in Mason's life. She never fathomed that her own son could harbor such callousness. A profound sense of shame and remorse settled upon her, burdening her heart.
\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After two days of rest, Isabel had made significant progress in her recovery, but Nina insisted she continue to rest in bed. Nina spared no effort in caring for Isabel during this time, remaining by her side and ensuring she received the best possible care.
Grateful for Nina's love and attention, Isabel felt a sense of healing wash over her, alleviating the mental anguish inflicted by Mason. She began to regard Nina as a beacon of light in her married life, grateful for her unwavering support.
Another source of relief for Isabel was Mason's conspicuous absence. Although he had returned home the night he left, he made a point to avoid his parents and refrained from checking on Isabel. While Isabel was uncertain about the nature of the rift between Mason and Nina, she found solace in his absence.
As Isabel regained her strength over the next few days, Nina and John contemplated how to apologize to her for the ordeal she had endured in their household. They were at a loss for words, feeling that any apology would pale in comparison to the gravity of the situation.
Setting aside their apprehension, they sat down with Isabel, feeling it was imperative to address the matter.
"What's the matter, mom? Dad?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.