Chapter 311 Marissa's Regret
Marissa felt tongue-tied at Leon's harshness. She never knew that one day, her son would turn around and scold her as though she were a child. She looked in Maxwell's direction with tears-filled eyes for help and he instantly came to her rescue.
"Leon, your mum has been doing a lot of soul searching and she regrets all her past actions and unfriendliness towards your wife," Maxwell said calmly. "Going forward, she intends to make amend by first asking for your wife's forgiveness and maybe solidifying their relationship."
"How?" Leon focused on his mum, knowing she would be the one approaching Ella and not Maxwell. "How do you intend to make amend, mum?"
"I'll start by visiting her in person to ask for her forgiveness," Marissa answered.
"What if she doesn't want to see you, huh? Back at the island, you and Yvonne practically drove her out of Nana's house. She was terrified by your harshness that she wanted to return to the city, immediately."
Leon saw this as an opportunity to make his mum reconcile with Ella knowing she would need his approval to date his uncle. Hence, he decided to leverage on it, without having to cajole her to accept Ella.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy, son," Marissa came close to Leon and sat on the arm of his seat while stroking his hair tenderly.
"I know your wife would even reject me but I'm ready to plead with her until she accepts me. I won't give up this time. After all, she's pregnant with my grandchild and I would love to be a part of her pregnancy journey."
"Are you trying to say this to make me feel better or do you truly mean this from the depth of your heart?"
Leon held his mother's gaze in search of an atom of pretense. However, all he saw was genuineness and a determination to write her wrong.
"I mean it from the depth of my heart, son," Marissa said convincingly, as she dabbed her eyes dry.
"Your uncle and I have spoken about this issue some days back. We spoke at length about your wife and he chastised me for my bad behavior towards Ella back on the island. I really regret all the nasty words I said to her and how I treated her. I know you love her and I promise never to be a barrier between the two of you."
"Son..." Maxwell stood up and strolled down to where Leon was seated. He gently sat down on the other arm of Leon's seat and placed his hand on Leon's shoulder. "...I know you are angry about my relationship with your mum. The truth is that we were planning on letting you know at the right time. We never envisaged that you would bump into us like this and for that, we are truly sorry. I love you Mum so much and I'm willing to do anything to keep her love this time. Please, we need your blessing to freely express ourselves to one another."
Leon inhaled and exhaled slowly as his anger gradually dissipated.
Being in the middle of his mum and uncle made him feel whole as though his father was alive. He took his mum's right hand into his and gazed into her eyes.
"Mum, you know I love you so much and I don't want to ever see you hurt. If loving Uncle Max would make you feel happy, then you both have my blessing to go ahead."
"Oh, thank you, baby," Marissa wrapped her arms around Leon his neck and pulled his head to rest on her chest.
"Thank you, son," Maxwell pressed his hand on Leon's shoulder and rose to his feet. "I'll give you and your mum some time to bond," he said and left the living room.
Immediately Maxwell left the living room, Marissa pulled Leon to his feet and led him to the double couch so that they could sit comfortably.
"So tell me, how have you coping with your wife's pregnancy? I remember the last time you were unhappy about it," Marissa said excitedly.
Leon's smiles slowly faded at his mum's words and this got her worried.
"Did I say something wrong, Leon," Marissa asked cautiously.
She was aware of Leon's initial resolve concerning Ella's pregnancy. She also knew of Ella's determination to keep her pregnancy. Hence, she concluded that they both had settled to have the baby due to Leon's unwavering behavior in pleasing his wife.
"No Mum, you didn't say anything wrong." Leon massaged his forehead in depression. "It's just that I messed up big-time."
"How do you mean?" Marissa asked apprehensively.
"I cheated on my wife and she hates me now."
"Leon, why would you do such a thing?" Marissa queried in a slightly piqued tone. "I thought you loved her so much. I thought she meant everything to you."
"She does, mum. She's my world! She is the only lady I could ever love. But now, she hates me."
"Of course, she would." Marissa voice out her repressed anger. "No woman would ever tolerate a cheating husband. Choosing another lady over her would make her feel inferior. You shouldn't have done that knowing full well that she's expecting your child. Do you think if your dad ever cheated on me that I would remain with him? Never! I am a possessive woman and I could never share my husband with another."
"I'm so sorry, Mum. I was angry and frustrated at having a child. But most importantly, I was so stupid to have cheated on her that way. I wish there was a reverse button so that I can go back and correct my mistake. I feel empty not having to hold her in my arms anymore."
The brokenness in Leon's voice cut Marissa deeply in her heart. She could see the hurt in his eyes and the anguish in his soul. She could tell he was bleeding from within and this subdued her anger, feeling her with empathy.
"It's okay, son, the mistake has already been made. The lesson you learn from it is what counts." Marissa pulled Leon into her arm and cuddled him for a while before saying, "So tell me, how can I help in winning your wife's heart back?"
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