Third Person's POV:Mason's sarcastic smile curled at the edges upon hearing Isabel's question. In his cynical perception, he believed she was attempting to play the fool—a misconception that failed to grasp the depth of Isabel's awareness about her own imperfections. She carried a quiet hope within, a hope that her life partner would not harbor disdain for her due to her external flaws. Little did she anticipate the rejection that now unfolded before her.In response to Isabel's inquiry, Mason uttered no words; instead, he directed her attention with a pointed finger. Her eyes followed the trajectory of his accusation, landing on the oversized photograph of him she had admired the night before. Then, with calculated cruelty, Mason began his tirade."Stand beside my image, and you'll comprehend everything. Do not attempt to manipulate my parents or act against me, or you will face the darkest version of me. Always remember your pathetic existence. You will never be a match for me, let

Third Person's POV:Mason stood there, equally stunned by the intensity of his own reaction. He quickly began concocting excuses to present to Liam, attempting to salvage the situation."It's practically impossible for me to attend the dinner. I have late office hours these days, tremendous work pressure. It's unlikely that I can make it," Mason explained, feigning innocence to make his words appear genuine.However, he overlooked his dad's presence, who stood disappointed by Mason's dishonesty. Liam, though somewhat convinced by Mason's false excuse, regretted extending the invitation without consulting Mason. He contemplated apologizing and rescheduling, but Mason's dad intervened."I don't think it will be a problem, Mason. We have enough employees to manage our office works, and I believe your absence won't create any disturbance," Mason's dad declared in a cold tone. He then turned to Liam, accepting the invitation.Mason was left speechless, feeling insulted by his dad's words. H

Third Person's POV:As Mason stood frozen, his mother's words echoed in his ears, piercing his heart like shards of ice. His marriage to Isabel, a union orchestrated by his mother's wishes, had not erased the shame she felt towards him. "Don't add to our disappointment, Mason," Nina's voice dripped with frustration. "You're a grown man now, married. You know your responsibilities." Mason remained silent, his spirit crushed by the weight of her disapproval. He had no desire to defend himself, to prove his innocence against the accusation that hung in the air like a suffocating fog. Nina continued her tirade, her words washing over him like waves against a rocky shore. He listened impassively, his mind numb to the sting of her words. When his mother finally left, Mason retreated to his room, his footsteps echoing in the deafening silence. The sight of Isabel, sleeping peacefully on their bed, ignited a fresh wave of anger within him. How could she sleep so soundly while he felt like

Third Person's POV: As Mason felt the walls closing in, a suffocating urge surged within him, compelling him to scream and demand his mom leave. However, a realization dawned on him; such an outburst would be deemed inappropriate. Opting for a subtler approach, he pulled out his phone to send his plea discreetly. "Mom, I wanna leave. It's not possible for me to stay here. Why did you bring me into this hell?" Mason typed and sent the message to Nina, who sat directly in front of him. Nina was taken aback when Mason's text notification popped up, and she couldn't help but shoot him a curious look. Tempted to question him immediately, she restrained herself and chose to read the text first. After absorbing the content, Nina felt grateful that Mason had chosen to convey his sentiments discreetly. She was aware of the potential insult Isabel's family might feel if these thoughts were vocalized. However, beneath her gratitude lingered a flicker of fury at Mason's perception of Isabel's

Third Person's POV: Isabel wasn't prepared for Emma's sudden and curious question, leaving her utterly scared about whether Emma had overheard Mason's outburst. Accustomed to honesty with her family, she struggled to come up with an excuse. "No, Emma... Not at all. We were just talking about something. I'm really sorry if it sounded like we were arguing," Mason interjected, standing beside Isabel. He had heard Emma's question and felt a surge of fear when Isabel didn't respond. To avoid any doubts about their relationship from her family, something he dreaded, he decided to clear the air. He knew that if Isabel's family suspected something, the news could eventually reach his mom. "Oh, okay..." Emma sounded flustered by Mason's interruption. While she acted as if she believed Mason's explanation, there lingered a suspicion that she had indeed heard Mason's angry outburst. For the moment, she chose not to press the matter further, deciding to discuss it later with her sister, Isabel.