Marrying You is A Mistake

Freya momentarily forgot her annoyance to Clementine when she saw the older woman approaching. Her smile was the first natural thing she showed that night. She didn't even bother to stop herself from hugging the woman.

"Hello, Grandma. How have you been?"

Clementine, standing awkwardly in the background, finally spoke up. "Grandma, we need to talk. Inside."

Catherine glanced at Freya, concern in her eyes. "Of course, dear. Let's all sit down and have a conversation."

Freya couldn't escape the feeling that this unexpected reunion held more than just a casual family talk. As they settled into the grand living room, the air grew thick with unspoken words, and Freya braced herself for whatever revelations awaited in the confines of the mansion.

The living room of the Casa exuded an air of opulence and timeless elegance. Perhaps, Clement got his taste to classic English sophistication to his grandmother.

Ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow over polished mahogany furniture, while intricate tapestries adorned the walls, with each family portraits beside the heavy draperies. Plush velvet sofas and chairs provided comfort amidst the grandeur, with a large, intricately carved fireplace dominated one side of the room. Antique bookshelves lined the walls, showcasing a vast collection of leather-bound volumes.

Clementine kept stealing glances at Freya, perhaps hoping for a conversation that she wasn't ready to have.

As they all sat, Catherine, with genuine concern in her eyes, addressed Freya, "Clementine told me you've been through a lot. I've been worried about you, dear."

Freya hesitated, unsure of how much Clementine had shared with his grandmother. "Thank you, grandma. It's been a challenging time."

Clementine, standing on the sidelines, observed the exchange, his own emotions hidden beneath a carefully crafted façade.

As the older woman asked her how she'd been, the news of her grandson not taking care of his wife deeply disappointed her.

"And how did you come to that, Grandma?"

"Just because I let you live your own life, Clement, doesn't mean I don't keep tabs with you. Someone's been reporting to me, that's all. After all, I am deeply worried with Freya after what happened lately."

Catherine's words —while speaking kindly to Freya, expressing her belief that Jordy didn't know how to cherish her—surprised her.

Freya looked at Clement in surprise, realizing that her grandmother was unaware of their divorce. The weight of unspoken truths hung in the air, and Catherine, oblivious to the current state of their relationship. The older woman also vowed to take action if Clement stayed out all night again, indicating her unwavering support for his wife.

Freya's eyelashes fluttered as she realized that Catherine only knew about her suffering, not the divorce itself. The delicate dance of maintaining appearances continued as she noticed Clementine's serious expression and questioned him, playfully asking if he didn't want to come back and eat with them.

Clementine, aware of his serious expression, made a conscious effort to shake off any lingering negativity. His grandmother, however, was seemingly content, decided to steer the conversation in a lighter direction, expressing her desire for a great-grandchild and subtly revealing her disappointment at the absence of a grandchild after their lengthy marriage.

"I've been hoping for a little one to brighten up this house," Catherine said, her eyes carrying a mix of longing and playful reproach.

Clement, sensing the tension, intervened gracefully, gently holding her arm to maintain the peace.

"Now, grandma, let's not put unnecessary pressure on them. These things happen in their own time."

Freya snapped back her head to look at Clement.

What the hell are you talking about? You divorced me! Be a man and tell your grandmother that you left me for another woman!

"About that, grandma—" Freya's voice, usually steady, cracked with suppressed emotion. She couldn't contain the torrent of feelings within her any longer.

Clement gripped her hand as if silently chiding her.

"Finish your food, Iyah." He seemed to struggle finding a response, his eyes darting nervously between Freya and his grandmother.

Freya's hand tightened on her spoon. Her mind raced with a tumult of questions, her frustration mounting with each passing second.

What is he so damn afraid of?

Why can't he summon the courage to tell his grandmother the truth – that he divorced me, that he cheated on me? Is it fear of disappointing her, tarnishing the family's image meticulously upheld for generations?

As Clement sat there, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, Freya could not fathom the depth of his silence.

Is it shame that binds his tongue, or is it the weight of familial expectations that chains him to this fabricated narrative? With all the grandeur of the mansion, it now felt like a gilded cage, concealing not just secrets but the vulnerability of a man unable to confront his own actions.

The clinking of cutlery and the distant hum of conversation around the table became a dissonant backdrop to Freya's inner turmoil. The opulent dining room, a stage for the family drama, seemed to mock her with its ornate decor, accentuating the stark contrast between appearances and reality.

Whatever the reason, Freya felt a searing mix of anger and disappointment, as the weight of unspoken truths hung heavily in the air.

Catherine, observing the escalating confrontation, set her teacup down with a delicate clink, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"What is going on here?" she demanded, her usually composed demeanor showing traces of bewilderment. But the maid interrupted them as they brought the dessert, not even allowing her to give a response.

Amidst the clinking of cutlery and the ambient murmur of the dining room, Catherine emained undeterred by the momentary awkwardness. With unwavering enthusiasm, she continued to serve Freya, treating her with a warmth that suggested an already established grandmother-granddaughter bond. Freya, in turn, reciprocated the gestures with a graceful demeanor, creating a seamless exchange of kindness.

Catherine slowly lowered her spoon and wiped her mouth with her table napkin. With a tinge of concern in her eyes, she questioned her grandson about his infrequent visits, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken expectations.

"Why don't you visit more often, Clement? I've been longing for your company."

Clement, feeling cornered, continued eating in silence, his eyes fixed on his plate.

"I'm busy, grandma."

"Yes. With that patient girl from an accident."

Both Freya and Clement looked at her in surprise. But before Clement could react, the older woman continued.

"Do you think I'm unaware of that, boy? How important is that woman that you never once visited the family and left your wife alone?

"You don't know anything, Grandma," he answered, lowering his head and his voice in a grave warning.

The air thickened with tension as Catherine, growing increasingly agitated, slammed her hand on the table.

"And how should I know? You don't tell me anything!"

Finally looking up, Clement attempted to explain, "Grandma, I've had responsibilities at work. It's not easy to juggle everything."

Catherine's frustration boiled over, "So what about that woman? Answer me. Callista, was it? I hear you've been spending time with her at the hospital. What about your responsibilities to your family?"

Clement, caught off guard, defended himself, "Callie—Callista saved my life, Grandma. You don't understand."

Catherine, dismissing his explanation, retorted, "Saved your life? That's just a trick. I don't want you near her."

His gaze shifted towards Freya with cold eyes, a silent accusation hanging in the air. Sensing the tension, Catherine decided to speak up.

"She never told me anything, boy. I only mentioned this because I've learned it from others first before you."

Clement, wearing a sarcastic smile, seemed unconvinced, "Worried, huh? Seems like you've got your own way of looking out for me."

Freya, dismayed by Clement's sarcastic tone, swiftly intervened, her expression stern. "Clement! Is that how you talk to your grandmother?"

She did not even care if he was talking to her that way. But there was no way she could let him act that way, considering all the offenses he was hiding from the older woman.

Clement, caught off guard by Freya's reprimand, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The tension in the room escalated as Catherine observed the exchange, her eyes reflecting a mix of satisfaction and something else.

Clement, realizing the gravity of the situation, dropped the smirk from his face and mumbled an apology, "Sorry, Grandma. It just... got to me."

The dining room, once filled with the clinking of cutlery and the hum of family conversations, now echoed with a tense silence.

After they left the dining room, Catherine, sensing the weight of the unresolved issues, initiated a conversation with Freya in a more private setting.

"Freya, I hope you understand that my frustration with Clement isn't directed at you. It's just that his actions have been affecting the family, and I felt compelled to address it."

Freya appreciated the older woman's candor and responded, "I know, Grandma. I just want what's best for everyone, but it's disheartening to see the family strained like this."

She nodded in agreement, "I share your concerns. We need to find a way to mend these rifts and bring back the harmony we once had."

As they delved deeper into their conversation, Catherine revealed, "I didn't want to scold him, but his behavior has been perplexing. He needs to open up and address these issues honestly."

"It's true. There are secrets and tensions within the family that need to be addressed. We can't keep ignoring them."

In the quiet of the night, as they stepped outside, the grandeur of the mansion served as a stark contrast to the unresolved tensions within. Freya couldn't shake off the feeling that the intricacies of family dynamics were far from being untangled, and the path ahead held more challenges than resolutions.

As Freya and Clement prepared to leave the Casa, Freya turned to Catherine with a polite smile, "Thank you, Grandma, for the invitation and the lovely dinner. I've missed our conversations. I promise to visit again when I have more time."

Catherine, a hint of concern in her eyes, responded warmly, "You're always welcome, my dear. Take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger."

Freya exchanged a brief, forced farewell with Clement, her irritation palpable. As they reached their car, Clement stood still with a sullen expression, but Catherine's stern voice cut through the tension.

"Clement, open the car door for your wife. Act like a gentleman!"

The air that night was heavy with unspoken tension, and Freya could not help but wonder how much longer this charade could last.