Chapter 10 Know Where Mason Is

The night stretched on, the clock ticking past ten, and Mason showed no signs of returning. Nina's persistent calls to her son went unanswered, leaving her increasingly anxious. Frustrated and unable to reach Mason, she decided to reach out to two of his closest friends, hoping for some insight.

Mason's friends were just as clueless about his whereabouts, deepening Nina's restlessness and frustration. Disappointed with Mason's indifferent behavior and apparent carelessness towards his newlywed wife, Nina couldn't help but scold him silently in her thoughts.

Mr. John shared Nina's concern, his worry etched across his face. He contacted Mason's office manager, learning that Mason had left work in the evening. Bewildered about where his son could be at such a late hour, Mr. John repeatedly tried to reach Mason, only to be met with silence.

Dinner remained untouched, the family held captive by the uncertainty of Mason's whereabouts. Nina hesitated to call Isabel for dinner, unwilling to let her dine alone on the first day of her marriage without her husband.

Isabel, still in Anna's room, had woken up from her nap a few hours ago. Nina intermittently visited to check on her, providing photo albums to keep her occupied. Oblivious to Mason's absence, Isabel browsed through the albums, sensing an unsettling shift in the atmosphere but reluctant to delve into overthinking.

As the silence from Mason persisted, Nina's frustration grew. She couldn't fathom where her son might have gone, especially considering his routine of returning straight home from the office. Even on occasions when he hung out with friends, he was back by nine o'clock. The mystery deepened, and Nina's worry intensified.

On the contrary, Anna seemed surprisingly calm compared to her agitated parents. She knew exactly where her brother was. Mason had informed her earlier that he planned to spend the night at the beachside villa occasionally used by their family. With a warning not to disclose anything to their parents, Anna maintained a pretense of ignorance when Nina inquired about Mason's whereabouts.

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Midnight had arrived, and Nina decided it was time for Isabel to have dinner without waiting any longer for Mason. She gently coerced Isabel into joining them, spinning a tale of Mason being entangled in crucial office work and running late. After the meal, Nina, fraught with uncertainty about Mason's return, directed Isabel to Mason's room, now also her own.

Nina hesitated to advise Isabel on the dress she had earlier given for the wedding night, unsure of Mason's homecoming. Isabel, bewildered by Mason's absence, chose to trust Nina's words and entered Mason's room, greeted by an elegant sanctuary. The room exuded sophistication, adorned with luxurious furnishings and enhanced by floral decorations crafted for their wedding night.

Isabel found herself enchanted by the room's fresh floral aroma, savoring the unfamiliar sensation of being in her husband's domain. Her focus zeroed in on a large photo frame above the bed, capturing a radiant and joyful smile on Mason's face, a facet she had rarely witnessed. A sense of guilt overjudging Mason's actions washed over her, leaving her in a quandary about her emotions.

Amidst Isabel's internal turmoil, Nina grappled with frustration over Mason's irresponsible behavior. Still awake, she pondered his whereabouts, growing suspicious. Nina recalled Mason's tendency to seek solace at their beachside villa during moments of distress. Doubting the honesty of Mason's friends and Anna, she sent a text to both parties, revealing her awareness of Mason's location and urging his return.

Ignoring his mother's messages, Mason's friends, Matt and Noah, confronted a dilemma. Fearful of Nina's wrath, they grappled with conflicting emotions, torn between loyalty to Mason and the consequences of their actions. Matt, after much contemplation, implored Mason to accept the reality of his marriage, urging him to return home.

Mason, shocked and disappointed by his friends' unexpected stance, questioned their sincerity. Noah attempted to clarify that facing the situation was inevitable, reminding Mason of his mother's unwavering determination.

Before Mason could respond, a text from Anna revealed the family's awareness of the situation, further escalating Mason's anger. Forced into an unwanted marriage, Mason found the idea of enduring a lifetime with Isabel intolerable, fueling his resentment.

Mason, seething with frustration, begrudgingly obeyed his mother's command to return home. The last thing he desired was to comply, yet he acknowledged that defying his mother's wishes would only invite her wrath. Reluctantly, he decided it was more prudent to return on his own terms.

In stark contrast, Isabel eagerly awaited her husband's return, her anticipation bordering on anxiety. As the night wore on, exhaustion set in, and her efforts to stay awake gradually waned.

The bed, however, proved irresistibly inviting, and despite her resolve, Isabel succumbed to slumber, oblivious to the passing hours.

The clock struck 4:00 in the morning when Mason finally arrived home. Surprised to find his parents still awake in the living room, he sensed his father's disappointment and chose a hasty retreat to his room, avoiding any confrontation.