Chapter 136 Meeting Mom
ISABEL'S POV
“Isabel…”
My name barely escaped my mom’s mouth, coming out as nothing more than a fragile whisper. She stood a few steps away from me, frozen, staring like she was looking at a stranger she couldn’t recognize anymore. Her eyes moved slowly, carefully, from my face down to my clothes and back again, as if she was trying to confirm that I was real.
She had never seen me like this before because my family always ensure that we all got all we wanted, never lacking in any aspect.
She took a step closer, then another, her movements cautious, almost hesitant. The shock on her face was obvious, and for a moment, she stood there without saying anything, just staring. I could tell she was trying to process everything at once — my appearance, the state I was in, the fact that I was standing in front of her again after everything that had happened.
“It’s good to see you, Mom,” I said gently, lifting my lips into a calm, bright smile. I made sure my voice was steady and soft, nothing sharp, nothing defensive. “You’re looking really nice.”
She didn’t return the smile.
“I’m not sure I can say the same about you, my dear,” she replied slowly as she pulled out a chair and sat down. Her eyes never left my face. “What happened?”
What happened?
What kind of a stupid question was that? It almost made me scoff.
What happened was that I was left to fend for myself with nothing. What happened was that you didn’t care enough to check if I was okay.
What did you expect I’ll be generating money from an invisible bank to take care of myself?
But I swallowed every single thought.
Now wasn’t the time.
I couldn’t afford to let my real feelings slip out. One wrong word, one wrong tone, and everything I worked for would crumble.
“Since I left the house,” I said quietly, still holding onto that faint smile, “it’s been really rough for me, Mom.”
Her gaze dropped immediately to the floor.
I noticed it, and a sense of satisfaction spread through me.
The guilt was already setting in.
She let out a small sigh, rubbing her hands together as if she was nervous. “Then why did you do it, Isabel?” she asked. “Why did you force our hand to the point where you had to leave?”
Force your hand?
I almost rolled my eyes.
Was she seriously trying to lecture me now, after everything?
But I remembered Anna.
Anna would sit quietly. Anna would accept blame. Anna would apologize even when she wasn’t fully wrong. And since they adored her so much, that was exactly who I needed to become.
I lowered my head slightly and sighed, making sure it sounded tired and regretful.
“It might not have been long,” I began slowly, “but these few weeks I’ve spent on my own have taught me a lot.”
She leaned forward a little, clearly listening.
“I realized that what I did was wrong,” I continued. “It was horrible. I shouldn’t have done it. Every single day, I wish there was a way to go back and stop myself from ever acting that way.”
The silence between us thickened.
When I lifted my eyes again, her brows were furrowed, her mouth slightly open. She looked genuinely shocked, like she couldn’t believe those words were coming from me.
“I’m quite surprised you’re saying all this,” she said softly. “And if your father was here, he would be just as surprised.”
“That’s because I’m truly sorry,” I replied quickly. “That’s why I asked to see you in person. I didn’t want to apologize over the phone, it wouldn’t feel sincere enough.”
I paused, then added, “I was hoping you could help me apologize to Dad. To Dan. And… to Anna too.”
Her head snapped up.
“To Anna?” she repeated. “You want me to help you apologize to Anna? I thought you two were enemies.”
I shook my head slowly.
“I was behaving childish,” I said. “The news about her becoming the new CEO and Ryan falling in love with her, it drove me insane. I wasn’t thinking straight. I let jealousy take control, and I regret it deeply.”
As those words left my mouth, my stomach twisted violently, I wanted to throw up
I hated every second of it.
But I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t stutter. I made sure my expression matched my words.
“You don’t even need to say anything, Mom,” I continued. “I already understand how angry you were. I tried to frame my own sister over a company and a man. Being alone showed me how precious family really is.”
“You don’t know the value of what you have until you lose it.”
Her expression softened.
I could see it clearly, the walls she had built around her heart were starting to crack.
“With everything you’ve said,” she asked gently, “are you sure you’ve changed? That this isn’t just an act?”
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I’m sure. That phase is over. Completely.”
She leaned back in her chair, silent for a long moment, thinking. The wait felt endless, but I remained still, patient, vulnerable.
Finally, she spoke.
“If God can forgive us when we sin every single day,” she said quietly, “then who am I not to forgive my own daughter?”
Relief washed over me.
A smile spread across my face, and I forced tears into my eyes. They spilled over slowly, perfectly timed, sliding down my cheeks as I sniffed softly.
They weren’t real.
But she believed they were.
“Oh Mom,” I whispered, wiping my face.
She stood up and wrapped her arms around me, holding me gently like I might break if she squeezed too hard.
At that moment, I wanted to laugh.
I wanted to scream with joy.
Phase one was complete.
Mom had forgiven me.
And now, everything else would fall into place exactly the way I planned.