A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

As Matilda brooded over her thoughts, Mason had just returned home when the living room lights blazed on.

“Where have you been?”

Mason’s mother. Colleen, sat in the living room, an impeccably maintained lady of society. Even

in her middle years, she carried an air of aristocratic grace, and her gaze commanded an invisible authority.

Mason could only offer a sheepish smile. “Mom, I was out grabbing a few drinks with friends.”

“Friends?” Colleen scoffed. “With a woman? One who’s been divorced, done time, and has a kid

in tow?”

“Mom!” Mason’s face flushed with anger. “Are you having me followed?”

“Hmph… If someone hadn’t tipped me off, I’d still be in the dark about your little escapade with that unsavory woman!” Colleen’s scoff grew more pronounced. “I ran into Ella while shopping the other day, and she mentioned it offhand. That’s how I found out!”

“Ella?” Mason said without thinking. “What the heck is she up to now?”

“Mind your language!” Colleen’s tone grew more severe. “At least Ella is respectable comes from a good family!” Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Mom, don’t jump to conclusions. She’s just a friend…”

“Just a friend?” Colleen was unconvinced. “A divorced woman with baggage–I doubt she’s just looking for friendship!” Colleen insisted, her voice stern. “End it with her!”

“Can’t you be reasonable? Besides, I’m the one who reached out to her.”

“Oh, really! Mason, you’ve grown up, and after all the nurturing I’ve given you, after introducing you to all those fine young ladies from good families, you choose to seek out such a tainted woman? Have you considered our family’s reputation? Do you want to disgrace the Farrell name?”

Colleen glared at Mason. “You will stay with us and reflect on your behavior!”

“Mom, please don’t be like this!” Mason, not wanting to argue with his mother, capitulated. “I was just being reckless, but don’t make it sound so ugly. Nothing else happened between us.”

“Nothing?” Colleen slammed a photograph in front of Mason. “Then what is this?”

Mason’s eyes narrowed sharply at the compromising images. The woman in the photos indeed looked like Matilda, but… but he had never touched her. So, what was this?

“I had people investigate and bring this to me, and I even had it verified–it’s not photoshopped! I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen these pictures with my own eyes. My esteemed son, wanting such a repulsive woman!”

10:26 m

A wave of shock engulfed Mason’s heart.

Impossible.

The man in the photo wasn’t him, nor Yvan.

His mother had it all wrong. But who was this man?

He trusted that Matilda wasn’t that kind of person, yet the woman in the photos bore an uncanny resemblance to her face!

“Matilda, did I misjudge you, or was this all a deliberate scam?” He thought.

Mason’s mind was in turmoil; his handsome face turned ashen, while Colleen took deep.

breaths to calm herself, the photo always stirring her anger.

Gathering her composure, Colleen spoke firmly. “You’re to stay home for the next few days. I won’t allow you to associate with that kind of woman!”

Mason’s gaze remained fixed on the photo, his fingers clenching tightly at his side.

A photo not doctored with Photoshop?

“Matilda, please don’t betray my trust.”