Chapter 9 Managed To Escape
Isabel chose to remain optimistic, convincing herself that Mason's reticence might stem from shyness. Unwilling to exacerbate his discomfort, she maintained a thoughtful silence throughout the journey to the house.
After a while, Anna halted the car in front of an opulent duplex mansion. Exiting the car, they discovered Mason's parents already awaiting them near the gate, eager to welcome their new daughter-in-law.
The surroundings of the mansion captivated Isabel; its grandeur was impossible to ignore. This luxurious abode was an unfamiliar territory for her, and the realization that she was now a part of it left her in disbelief.
The sprawling garden adjacent to the mansion seized Isabel's attention, especially as she had always harbored a love for flowers. The vibrant array of blooms mesmerized her, momentarily stealing her focus.
However, her reverie was interrupted when Mason, seemingly disinterested, moved away and settled on a cradle in the garden, engrossed in his phone. Isabel felt a pang of hurt as he left her standing alone.
Mason's parents approached Isabel, and Nina, sensing Isabel's dismay, embraced her with motherly warmth, attempting to uplift her spirits.
"Welcome to your new home, dear," Nina declared, breaking the hug.
"This is your home now, Isabel. We are your parents, and Anna is your sister. I believe you will love us as you love your family. We are beyond happy to welcome our new daughter into our home," Mr. John expressed affectionately, and Isabel nodded in response.
The gesture of being addressed as a daughter rather than a daughter-in-law made Isabel radiant with joy. Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Mason, still engrossed in his phone, leaving her puzzled about his feelings.
Lost in thought, Isabel contemplated Mason's behavior. She couldn't discern his true nature, momentarily entertaining the idea that he might have no interest in her as his newly wedded wife. Swiftly brushing off negative thoughts, she redirected her attention.
Nina called for Mason, noticing Isabel's concern. He approached, and Nina instructed them to enter the house together while she and Mr. John went ahead.
Before Isabel could comprehend the situation, Mason rushed into the house without inviting her to join him. Once again, she stood dumbfounded by his actions.
Uncertain of her next move, Isabel stepped gingerly into the grand mansion, clutching her wedding gown. With no sense of direction, she found herself standing in the center of the hallway.
Mr. John descended the staircase, having refreshed himself, and immediately grasped the situation. Annoyance flickered in his eyes as he reflected on Mason's disregard for Isabel, who was left standing like a lost soul.
Mr. John approached Isabel with a warm smile and suggested, "Why are you standing here, dear? You can go to your room. Let me show you to your room."
As he guided Isabel towards Mason's room, Nina unexpectedly appeared, sensing that something was amiss. Furious, Nina's eyes met Mr. John's, silently questioning the situation. Mr. John, adept at diffusing tension, quickly intervened.
"Mason likely received an urgent call from our office manager. There's an important file he needed to check on, which is why he went to his room, leaving Isabel here," he explained, though the fib was transparent to Nina.
Choosing not to create a scene and make Isabel uncomfortable, Nina decided to address the matter later with Mason. Instead, she called Anna and instructed her to take Isabel to her room, as the wedding night decoration for Isabel and Mason's room was pending. Nina also noted that Isabel's clothes needed unpacking and asked Anna to assist her in changing into something more comfortable.
Anna led Isabel to her room, offering a t-shirt and sweatpants for her to change into. Throughout the process, Anna remained silent, rebuffing Isabel's attempts at conversation. Disappointed in Isabel for marrying a brother who was clearly unhappy with the union, Anna couldn't bring herself to accept Isabel as her sister-in-law.
Struggling with the idea that her brother had chosen someone she considered imperfect, Anna tried to avoid unnecessary conversations with Isabel. She retreated to the balcony with a book, leaving Isabel to change alone.
Isabel, realizing Anna's indifference, entered the bathroom to freshen up and change. After emerging, she found Anna holding a box, which she handed to Isabel with a curt message.
"Mom asked me to give you this. There's a dress inside for your wedding night. Take rest now, get ready later," Anna said, briskly leaving the room.
Feeling hurt by Anna's cold demeanor, Isabel decided to dismiss the emotions, accustomed to being overlooked. She opened the box to discover a beautiful lavender gown, simpler than her wedding dress but equally stunning. Imagining herself in the gown for the wedding night, Isabel's cheeks flushed with shyness, nerves consuming her.
Her reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door. A maid entered, delivering snacks with a message from Nina. After the maid left, Isabel, not particularly hungry, nibbled on a few fruit slices and sipped juice.
Observing Anna's extensive book collection, Isabel picked up a book and started reading on the couch. Exhausted, she eventually succumbed to sleep, her eyes closing unintentionally.
Meanwhile, Mason concocted an excuse of urgent office work to escape the house, desperate to avoid spending the wedding night with Isabel.