17. Nothing But A Living Hell

Third Person's POV:

Mason wrestled with the urge to immediately oppose his mom's request, but a lack of courage held him back. The thought of staying at Isabel's house was utterly unappealing, yet the fear of confronting his mother paralyzed him. He anticipated another round of insults if he spoke up.

Suppressing his discomfort, Mason's discomfort didn't go unnoticed by Isabel. "There's no need for that, Mom. We can return after dinner," she interjected, keenly aware that Mason was reluctant to spend the night at her place.

Isabel understood that her home might not be Mason's ideal retreat, and she didn't want to burden him further. Grateful that he accepted the dinner invitation, she prioritized his comfort. "What are you saying, Isabel? Don't you want to spend a few days with your family?" Nina asked, surprised by Isabel's proposal.

While Isabel yearned for family time, she recognized the potential discomfort it would cause Mason. She worried he might unleash his usual harsh rema