CHAPTER 53: "CLOSER TO HER SON"

CHAPTER 53: "CLOSER TO HER SON"

The room fell into a deep silence, where the tension between Isabella and Inesa was palpable.

Coraline broke the silence.

"But dear, don't just stand there, come in, come in," she urged her to approach. "Darling, Inesa called me this morning when she saw you didn't go to the company. She assumed your hangover was very strong. So I had to tell her what happened, you don't mind, do you? After all, she's like family."

Isabella scoffed, making both Inesa and Coraline look at her.

"Do you have something to say, Isabella? Or does it bother you that she's here?" Coraline asked with disdain.

"Do you want the truth, mother-in-law?" Isabella emphasized the last word, making Coraline tense up.

Coraline's eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line of disdain.

"I've already told you that..." she began, but was interrupted by Inesa.

"Coraline, don't worry," Inesa said, giving Isabella an amused look, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of defiance. "There