Chapter 108: A Visit
Third Person POV.
Bennett's arms wrapped around Matilda in a gesture of comfort and understanding. “I understand your pain, Matilda, but this happens,” she began. “We don’t have control over everything in life. I’ve been friends with your daughter, Isabel, for a long time. Only I know how deeply she loved Mavis. I wish she never returned to Los Angeles. Sometimes, the path we take leads to unexpected twists and turns, but all we can do is try to make the best of it.”
Matilda continued. "I wanted her to come home, Bennett," she said, her eyes distant, as if lost in a memory. “I thought it would be good for her to connect with her new family, to get acquainted with everyone at home. But I had no idea that she was hiding such a big secret. She kept it hidden from me, from everyone, until it was too late until the truth could no longer be denied.” Her shoulders slumped slightly.
Bennett’s expression shifted. “You can’t change what’s already happened, Matilda,” she said. “But there’s something else you need to know about why Isabel fled. Something that might change the way you see this whole situation.”
“Wasn’t it to hide from me? And the family?” she asked, “What other reason could there be?”
Bennett responded with a heavy sigh, "That is one of the reasons, yes. But the main reason is that Isabel and Mavis had a misunderstanding,"
Bennett paused and observed Matilda's reaction before continuing. “There’s a woman named Estelle who’s been causing trouble for Isabel. She spread lies about her to Mavis, which is why he acted the way he did.
Matilda’s face hardened at the mention of Estelle’s name. “Who is Estelle?” she demanded. “And what does she want from my daughter? How dare she lie about Isabel in the first place!”
Bennett laid a gentle hand on Matilda’s arm, “Estelle is a lady who Mavis had been seeing at school, they were lovers.” she explained.
“Not only that,” Bennett continued, her tone growing more serious, “Estelle has caused even more trouble for Isabel. She stole a necklace from Isabel’s new mall, which led to her being detained by cops after they'd intervened."
“So, not only did she spread lies about my daughter, she equally stole from her?"
"Yes," Bennett nodded.
“You see, that’s one of the problems I have with my daughter,” Matilda said, looking directly at Bennett. “She doesn’t share her troubles with me, her mother, choosing instead to suffer in silence.”
"I know a mother would always be there for her child, to help them through their troubles. But sometimes, we don’t want to burden our parents. We don’t want them to see us as anything less than strong and capable. Isabel probably thought she was protecting you by keeping these things from you.”
"I am her mother, and I’m here to support her, to help her through anything, but she keeps everything bottled up inside. It's good that the so-called Estelle has been detained. I may be angry with my daughter but I won't let anyone maltreat or belittle her, she's my daughter. In fact, where's Estelle, I think she has contributed to my problems too."
“San Francisco is where we’ll find Estelle," Bennett informed, “If you’re ready, we can set out together by tomorrow. Today, I have personal matters to attend to at home. ”
Matilda gave Bennett a heartfelt smile, "Thank you for coming, Bennett,” she said with gratitude. “You’ve truly opened my eyes to the truth. I realize now that I've acted foolishly by abandoning my daughter. But please, understand that my actions were driven by a deep hurt.”
Bennett smiled back, “I understand, Matilda. Isabel doesn't have a problem with that, she just misses you and really needs someone to talk to."
“When I heard the truth, I felt utterly betrayed,” Matilda continued with emotions attached to her tone. “I needed time to process everything, to think. I’m not sure what to do about my husband. Perhaps we should let fate guide us.” She gave Bennett a faint smile but she was truly hurt.
She looked at Bennett, her eyes filled with a newfound humility. “There’s still so much I’m not sure of, but one thing I know for sure is that I need to focus on my daughter."
"Great choice there! I should be on my way now. I'm glad to have visited, take care, Matilda," Bennett said as she embraced the woman.
After their parting hug, Bennett hurried down the stairs, while Matilda settled into her seat. Her eyes were drawn to a photograph on the wall.
There, a long time ago, was a scene of pure familial bliss. A younger Isabel, her eyes bright and innocent, sat nestled between her late father and Matilda.
For years, Matilda had harbored a single wish. She wanted nothing more than for her daughter to marry a man she truly loved, and she had promised to stand by her if ever that dream became a reality.
As she listened to Isabel's tales, Matilda’s voice had been gentle and encouraging, urging her daughter to pursue her heart’s desire. "Whoever your heart beats for, my love, that's who I want you to be with," she said with a soft smile.
Like a cruel jest of fate, the very man she had longed for, the object of her affection and admiration, was now her stepbrother.
The revelation had been like a thunderbolt, sending shockwaves through Isabel’s world. How could it be that the one she loved was the very person forbidden to her?
Her mind began to race, numerous thoughts swirling through her consciousness.
How would her husband react? she wondered. Would he accept Isabel’s child, conceived with his own son?
Would he still love her and welcome her back into his life? Or would he share in her shame and turn away from them both?
She shuddered at the thought, the uncertainty and fear of rejection almost suffocating. But the thought of getting in touch with her daughter again assuaged her fears. After all, they were connected by blood and she mattered more than anything else.