Chapter 15 Owe You An Apology
In a different circumstance, Mason would have recoiled at the thought of pressing his lips against hers, fueled by his enduring disgust for Isabel. Yet, in this pivotal moment, his profound hatred for her remained obscured, overshadowed by the singular focus of reviving her. His lips pressed firmly against Isabel's, offering the breath she desperately needed.
After what felt like an eternity, Isabel's eyes fluttered open, her breaths ragged and labored. A subtle smile crept onto Mason's face, relief washing over him at the sight of Isabel breathing once more. Swiftly withdrawing from her, he ensured she had ample space to regain composure.
Isabel, still in a state of bewilderment, struggled to normalize her breathing. The recent memory of Mason's near-fatal aggression lingered, casting a shadow over the room. Although her physical recovery began, the emotional wounds ran deep. Stunned by the realization that her husband had come perilously close to ending her life, Isabel hesitated to make eye contact with Mason, anticipating further aggression.
As she gazed up at the ceiling, a forgotten detail resurfaced in her consciousness—the sensation of Mason's lips on hers. A sudden warmth tinged her cheeks as she pondered the unexpected act. "Was he trying to give me breath to save me?" The question lingered, demanding her consideration.
Before Isabel could delve into the complexities of her query, Mason, surprisingly gentle this time, lifted her from her horizontal position. Settling her beside him, he inquired, "Are you okay?"
For Mason, the question was a simple gesture, tinged with guilt. However, its impact on Isabel was profound. It marked the first instance of Mason speaking kindly to her since their marriage, and the undercurrent of concern in his eyes stirred emotions within her.
Despite the near-tragedy, Isabel found herself unable to harbor unbridled anger. Her heart, in its vulnerability, responded to the genuine affection emanating from Mason. His eyes conveyed a concern she hadn't anticipated, igniting a hopeful flutter in her heart.
However, the fleeting warmth dissipated as Mason, growing impatient with Isabel's prolonged silence, shifted from concern to irritation. Unbeknownst to him, Isabel silently observed this unfamiliar facet of her husband, a side he had concealed until this moment.
"Why the silence? Are you okay or not?" Mason's annoyance cut through Isabel's hopeful thoughts like a sharp knife.
"I...I'm okay," Isabel replied, her voice barely audible.
Mason, grappling with the aftermath of his own aggression, felt a surge of relief knowing Isabel was still alive. He vowed to rein in his anger, realizing the dire consequences of losing control.
"Don't breathe a word about this to anyone," Mason abruptly returned to his usual cold and rude demeanor, shattering the fragile illusion of kindness he had briefly shown.
"I won't," Isabel assured, though she would have kept the incident secret even without Mason's warning. The embarrassment of being harmed by her own husband was something she wished to bear alone, shielding Mason from further distress.
"Good to hear. Anyway, I suppose an apology is in order," Mason conceded, surprising Isabel with an unprecedented admission. "For the sake of my apology, I'll accept your brother's invitation and attend dinner at your house. But don't misunderstand; it's only because I feel guilty."
His words, laced with rudeness, left Isabel once again upset. She nodded, uncertain of what to say. Mason's acceptance of the dinner invitation seemed tainted by his guilt, not genuine goodwill. She didn't want him to comply out of remorse; she wanted sincerity.
"If you don't want to come, you don't have to. You can—"
"Now you're going to tell me what I should do and what I shouldn't?" Mason's interruption sent a shiver down Isabel's spine. The same Mason who had recently shown a fleeting kindness now loomed before her with the same aggression that had nearly cost her life.
Stammering, Isabel tried to clarify, "I...I didn't—"
"I will do what I said. Now get out before I lose control of my anger again," Mason ordered, pointing at the door. Isabel, not wanting to provoke further anger, left the room, grappling with the stark contrast between the brief tenderness and the overwhelming brutality of her husband.
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After finishing her dinner and dismissing her brother's inquiries, Isabel retreated to the room. Despite her attempts to appear normal, Nina sensed that something was amiss. Concerned, Nina questioned Isabel multiple times, only to be met with evasion and topic changes.
Isabel returned to the room ahead of Mason, hoping to escape any further interaction with him. She wanted to avoid provoking him or being subjected to his annoyance.
Meanwhile, Mason sat in the living room with his mother, avoiding direct eye contact. Anxiety gripped him as he feared Isabel might have divulged the morning's events to his mom.
"Why are you doing this, Mason?" Nina questioned, her tone filled with disappointment. Mason, feigning ignorance, looked at his mom with confusion.
"Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why are you neglecting your responsibilities as a husband?" Nina's direct inquiry made Mason slightly less anxious, realizing Isabel had chosen not to reveal the morning's incident.
"Mom, I've been swamped with office work. There's a lot of pressure lately," Mason excused himself, though both he and Nina knew it was a blatant lie.
"Enough with the excuses, Mason. I'm ashamed to have you as my son. You're proving yourself unworthy as a husband too," Nina's cutting words pierced through Mason, leaving him with a sense of shame and guilt.