Chapter 43 Guest Of The wedding
Mason's grandmother was impressed with Addison's beauty and intelligence from the moment she met her. Despite coming from a wealthy and high-class family, Addison possessed a natural grace and poise that captivated everyone's attention, including Mason's grandmother. She knew that Addison was the perfect match for her grandson and felt proud of his choice.
Mason was overjoyed to see his grandmother's approval of Addison. She was the first woman he had ever fallen for, and his feelings for her had only grown stronger since she started interning at his father's company. The thought of spending his life with Addison filled him with happiness, and he couldn't believe that his dream was finally becoming a reality with his grandmother's help.
Mason's grandmother was eager to see Mason and Addison get married as soon as possible. She believed Isabel was a hindrance to their relationship and wanted her gone. She invited Addison's parents over for dinner to confirm the wedding date with both families. Isabel was asked to prepare dinner for the guests but was confused about the sudden arrival of guests.
Despite her confusion, Isabel obeyed her grandmother's orders, not wanting to upset her. When Addison's parents arrived, grandmother insisted that Nina and John greet them properly. They were reluctant to do so, but grandmother left them with no choice by threatening to leave their house and never come back if they didn't comply.
Both families were gathered around the dinner table, and Isabel was serving the dishes. She had quickly realized that the unexpected guests were Addison's parents, and she could guess the reason behind their sudden appearance, but she remained quiet, unable to do anything else.
Nina was becoming increasingly impatient with each passing moment. She was desperate to speak out against her mother-in-law's actions, but she knew the potential consequences and was hesitant to risk it. Watching Isabel in such a vulnerable state felt like torture, and she wished she could take her away from this situation and all the drama that came with it.
As everyone ate, Isabel quietly continued to serve the food while keeping her gaze lowered, trying to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She longed to escape to the kitchen as soon as she was finished, to get away from the uncomfortable atmosphere at the dinner table.
"Where are you going?" Grandmother's words halted Isabel in her tracks. "Stay here and serve everyone until we're finished," she ordered callously.
Nina couldn't bear to watch Isabel being treated this way any longer, but she also knew the consequences of standing up to her mother-in-law. "This is ridiculous, Mom. Isabel is not a maid," she began, but Isabel quickly cut her off.
"Please, continue with your dinner. I am happy to serve everyone," Isabel pleaded with her eyes, silently asking Nina not to make things worse.
Nina silently left the dining hall and locked herself in her room. She couldn't bear to witness the disrespect any longer.
Addison's parents were disappointed with Nina's behavior, but Grandmother managed to smooth things over. She secretly blamed Isabel for everything and the poor woman stood quietly by the dining table, observing if anyone needed anything.
It was excruciating for Isabel to stand there while the conversation shifted to Mason and Addison's upcoming wedding. She didn't want to feel hurt, but it was impossible not to. It was yet another reminder of her pathetic life, having to endure her husband's wedding discussions while standing by like a servant.
Isabel gazed at Mason, who was grinning from ear to ear as though he had just accomplished something monumental. She longed to share in her husband's joy, but her aching heart would not allow it.
"The wedding will take place next Sunday. I hope everyone is agreeable with the date. I want my grandson to begin his new life at the start of the upcoming year," Mason's grandmother announced, and everyone was thrilled except for John and Anna.
Isabel felt heartbroken and excused herself, running to the kitchen. John and Anna felt terrible for Isabel, watching her feel so disheartened.
"I need to speak to you, Grammy," Anna said as soon as Isabel left.
Mason's grandmother felt curious about Anna's sudden interruption but permitted her to speak.
"My final exams for the semester start next week, and I don't believe I can attend the wedding. Moreover, if I stay here, it will impact my studies. So, I decided to move to my friend's house for a few days until the wedding," Anna said, knowing that she had no desire to attend the wedding and pretend to enjoy it.
"Have you lost your mind? It's your brother's wedding, Anna," Mason's grandmother exclaimed, but Anna was not willing to listen to her.
"I'm sorry, Grammy. But my exams are more important," Anna pleaded, but Mason intervened because he did not want to have the wedding without his dear sister.
"Okay, then. The wedding will be held next month. Is that sufficient time to finish your exams, Anna?" Mason suggested, leaving everyone speechless.
"What are you saying, Mason?" Mason's grandmother asked irritably, displeased with Mason's decision.
"It's all right, Grammy. We don't want our wedding ceremony without Anna. We are happy to wait just a month," Addison said with a fake smile on her face.
She was clever enough to realize that Anna was unhappy about the wedding and wanted her to have no other options. Mason's grandmother felt proud of Addison, thinking how kind and considerate she was, and that no one could be a better match for Mason than her.
"So, the wedding will take place next month, and I hope there will be no further delay," Mason's grandmother declared, and everyone agreed.
Anna had no other alternatives but to attend the wedding, so she departed, feeling defeated.
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Isabel stood in the kitchen, tears streaming down her face as she felt the weight of guilt for not leaving with her friend Olivia. Olivia had suggested they leave together, but Isabel had strongly protested. Despite Olivia's insistence, Isabel remained adamant about staying in the house until the wedding. Though she had no hope that her husband, Mason, would change his mind, Isabel felt it was her duty as his wife to fulfill her obligations until the end.
Initially, Isabel believed that she could handle the situation, but the reality was devastating. The mere mention of Mason's impending marriage was unbearable for her. Isabel realized that leaving would be the best solution.
With a heavy heart, she made the decision to call Olivia and inform her of her plan to leave the house. However, her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Addison in the kitchen.
Isabel was taken aback and quickly wiped away her tears. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I'm leaving. Just wanted to say goodbye," Addison replied with a playful smirk as she approached Isabel.
Isabel felt uncomfortable and afraid in Addison's presence, so she decided to ignore her.
"You're hurt, aren't you?" Addison sounded worried, but Isabel knew she was trying to make fun of her emotions.
"If you don't want anything, just leave me alone," Isabel said as she got busy washing dishes.
"You're really fragile, Isabel. You can't even bear the announcement of the wedding. How will you witness us getting married?" Addison sarcastically asked, trying to provoke Isabel.
"I won't be there. I'm deciding to leave," Isabel said without paying attention to Addison's remarks.
"Really! So now you're planning to act cowardly and flee away," Addison mockingly spoke, leaving Isabel curious about what she meant.
"What do you want from me? Do you want me to be present at the wedding?" Isabel asked, and Addison nodded with a smile.
"You can leave if you want, Isabel, but it will only prove how weak you are. But if you want to prove yourself otherwise, you won't hesitate to be the guest of the wedding," Addison provoked her, hoping to watch Isabel mentally break down during the ceremony.
Isabel was stunned by Addison's words, feeling challenged to attend the wedding.
But before she could reply, Addison left, done with her provocation.