Worst Fear 185

Worst Fear 185 Summary

In Chapter 185 of “Worst Fear,” Lydia finds herself in a moment of vulnerability as she shares her inner turmoil with Mason. They engage in a tender conversation where Lydia expresses her guilt over Julia’s condition, questioning her past decisions and feeling the weight of responsibility for Julia’s well-being. Mason offers her comfort, reassuring her that she acted justifiably in setting boundaries with Julia, who had previously tried to undermine her life. His words provide a balm to Lydia’s troubled heart, allowing her to feel a flicker of hope amidst her guilt.

As the chapter progresses, Lydia’s emotional state begins to lighten after her heartfelt exchange with Mason. She immerses herself in preparing dinner, reflecting on the situation with Julia and the uncertainty surrounding her recovery. The arrival of her mother adds a new layer of intrigue, as she hints at having a serious discussion later, which Lydia senses is connected to her feelings about Victoria. Their playful banter reveals a side of her mother that Lydia has never seen before, deepening her affection and admiration for her.

However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Lydia’s mother receives a distressing phone call during dinner. The urgency in her voice and the sudden crash heard through the line heighten the tension, leaving Lydia and her companions in shock. This abrupt interruption serves as a stark reminder of the looming dangers surrounding them, particularly concerning Victoria. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Lydia’s heart racing as she grapples with the implications of her mother’s call, setting the stage for a whirlwind of emotions and revelations to come.

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**TITLE: Worst Fear 185**

**Chapter 185**

**Lydia**

“What’s on your mind?” Mason inquired gently, his fingers weaving through my hair with a tenderness that sent shivers down my spine. I had my eyes shut, savoring the comforting sensation of his touch, allowing my thoughts to drift away momentarily.

“Nothing,” I replied, attempting to sound casual, but the quiver in my voice betrayed me.

He playfully poked my cheeks, a teasing smile dancing on his lips. “Oh really? You’re not hiding any secrets from me, are you?” The warm, familiar scent of his cologne enveloped me, grounding me in the moment.

With a slow flutter of my eyelids, I opened my eyes, and Mason’s face came into focus, his deep gaze piercing right through me. He tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my ear, a gesture that felt both intimate and reassuring.

He had an uncanny ability to read my thoughts, to sense when my mind was spiraling into a whirlwind of worries. “It’s just… a lot,” I confessed, taking a deep breath and resting one hand atop the other on my stomach, feeling the tension coil within.

“Julia. What if she never wakes up? Would things have turned out differently if I had listened to her when she came to my office? Why did I leave her alone in that room? Why didn’t I trust her?” The flood of questions erupted from my lips, each one a tormenting echo of my guilt.

Mason’s expression softened, his concern palpable. “That’s a heavy burden you’re carrying,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm. “But let me be honest with you.” I knew Mason would never intentionally hurt my feelings, yet I found myself holding my breath, bracing for what he might say next.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Anyone in your position would have reacted the same way. Remember, this is the same woman who publicly undermined you, who tried to destroy your work and your family. She aimed to tear us apart,” he paused, his gaze unwavering.

“She went to great lengths to bring you down. Setting boundaries with someone like her is not only justified; it’s necessary. She has never shown herself to be deserving of our compassion or even our pity,” he concluded, the last words dripping with a righteous anger that resonated within me.

I pressed my lips together, feeling the truth of his words settle in my heart. He was right, and yet the weight of my emotions still lingered. But Mason wasn’t finished yet.

“You are not at fault for how you responded to her. It was precisely what she deserved. You didn’t make the choices she did,” a lump formed in my throat as I repeated his words in my mind, slowly straightening my posture.

He placed his large hand over mine, a gesture of solidarity. “I don’t care about Julia, and it frustrates me that you do. But I understand we are different; I can’t forgive once I’ve been wronged, while you have that capacity.”

“I haven’t forgiven her,” I interjected hurriedly, pushing back the strands of hair that had fallen across my face. “I just don’t wish for her to die,” I said, inhaling sharply, my chest constricting at the thought. I could never bring myself to wish death upon anyone.

“You don’t have to forgive her, and that’s completely okay,” he reassured me, his grip on my hand firm. “You can hope for her recovery without extending forgiveness. That’s entirely acceptable.”

Mason cupped my shoulders, leaning in closer. “Okay?” he asked softly, and I nodded, feeling like a child being gently admonished by a loving parent. “Come here,” he said, pulling me into a warm embrace.

I wrapped my arms around him tightly, feeling the world outside melt away. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, whispering sweet nothings about how much he loved me, and in that moment, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me.

***

The knife struck the chopping board, the rhythmic chop-chop sound filling the kitchen as I stood before a tray laden with finely diced vegetables.

After my heartfelt conversation with Mason, I felt inexplicably lighter. There was nothing I could do to hasten Julia’s recovery; all I could do was pray fervently and hope for her survival.

“Hey, Hun,” my mother’s voice chimed from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned quickly to see her approaching, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I thought you had already left,” I remarked, tilting my head to the side so she could plant a kiss on my cheek.

“I came back,” she replied softly, reaching behind me to snatch a piece of carrot from the tray and popping it into her mouth.

She chewed thoughtfully, savoring the flavor. “Dinner was quick,” she commented.

“No, I mean, I haven’t had dinner yet. I just came to grab something; I’m about to head out,” I explained, my lips forming an ‘o’ of realization. “Alright.”

“I need to talk to you about something important. Can we grab a drink when I get back?” she asked, her tone shifting to one of seriousness.

“Of course,” I said, my eyes appraising her. I hadn’t seen her when she left earlier, but now, standing before me, Mom looked absolutely radiant; she could easily be mistaken for my sister.

The red dress she wore hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her curves in a way that could leave any man speechless.

I tilted my head, a teasing smile creeping onto my lips. “Is it a date?” I asked, leaning against the counter, wanting to drink in her beauty one last time.

A smile broke out on her face, and she playfully swatted my shoulder. “Stop it,” she said, a hint of shyness coloring her cheeks. I had never seen this side of my mother before.

“So it truly is a date,” I pressed, unable to resist teasing her further.

“No,” she denied, adjusting her necklace nervously. “I’m having dinner with Victoria.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. Of all the possibilities, I hadn’t expected her to be meeting Victoria. “Victoria?” I asked, needing clarification.

Her expression shifted as she began, “Yes. We have something to discuss.” A shadow flickered in her eyes, a hint of darkness.

I squinted, realizing that my mother harbored a deep dislike for Victoria, but I had never seen her so emotional about it before. Victoria was unaware that she was my mother. “Are you going to see her regarding Julia? Is this about what I mentioned about seeing her at the party?” I inquired, hoping to understand her intentions.

Mom shook her head, her gaze averted. “No. It’s nothing about that or you. It’s just a normal dinner.” But her avoidance of eye contact spoke volumes.

That was enough of a clue to convince me that this meeting was anything but ordinary. Since she wasn’t ready to share, I decided to let it be for now, perhaps waiting until she was ready to discuss it over drinks.

Before she left, I wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug, wanting to carry her comforting scent with me. She placed a kiss on my forehead, leaving a mark of her red lipstick that I didn’t wipe away, even when Zoe pointed it out later.

“When will she be back?” Mason asked, his voice breaking the comfortable silence as we all sat around the table. The twins had long since been tucked into bed, leaving us in a quiet atmosphere.

“I have no idea,” I replied, glancing at the wall clock. Mom had acquired that clock from an auction; it was a hundred years old and had cost a fortune.

Mason and Zoe lingered in the house despite the late hour. “She actually went out to meet—” I began, but my words were cut off as Mason’s phone rang on the table.

He picked it up, staring at the screen, and annoyance flickered across his face. Instead of answering, he turned the phone face down, opting to ignore the call.

“Can I take the dress when I leave?” he asked, his tone casual.

“The dress,” I gasped, suddenly recalling its significance. I had completely forgotten about it; it was partly why Mason had come over. We had spent so much time together that the dress slipped my mind.

After dinner, I wiped my mouth with a napkin and stood up, pushing the chair back. “I’ll go get the dress,” I announced, heading upstairs.

I retrieved the dress, inspecting it closely. It was intact, the wine stain still visible. When I returned downstairs, I found Mason at the corner, his phone pressed to his ear.

Zoe and I chatted quietly as he spoke. When he hung up, he informed us that the dress was needed because, apparently, Julia had sustained an injury to her head before her fall.

“What could they possibly find on a dress?” Zoe wondered aloud, taking the dress from me as I attempted to put it in a bag.

“And why does this dress look familiar?” she mused, furrowing her brows as she scrutinized the fabric. “I’ve seen it somewhere before,” she murmured, more to herself than to us.

“Where did I see—” she gasped, her eyes widening in realization. “Mom!” she exclaimed, her gaze darting between me and Mason. “This was the same dress in her bathroom; I remember seeing it!”

“You went to the mansion?” Mason asked, disappointment evident in his voice.

“Yes,” Zoe confirmed, recounting how she had gone to the mansion out of suspicion toward Victoria, hoping to find evidence linking her to Julia’s fall. But Victoria had left before she could investigate further.

“I found that odd, especially since she had been so eager for me to come home. Plus, she seemed overly suspicious. She flinched when I spoke, and—” Zoe shook her head, determination in her eyes. “I think she did it. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but now we have proof—the dress.” She handed it back to me, a sense of triumph in her voice. “I guess I did find proof after all.”

Mason’s displeasure was palpable; he was clearly unhappy with Zoe’s presence, despite my attempts to highlight the advantages of her visit.

“What do we do with this information now?” Zoe asked, excitement dancing in her eyes.

“How about—” I began, but my phone rang, interrupting me. It was Mom.

“Hel—”

“Lydia!” Mom’s voice came through, laced with distress, and my heart plummeted. I stood up abruptly, sensing the urgency in her tone. She was driving; I could hear the blaring horn in the background.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked, my voice rising with concern. The question instantly drew Mason and Zoe’s attention.

“Lydia, Victoria, she… that woman is a—” A loud crash echoed through the line, followed by her scream, and then the call abruptly cut off.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of the chaos that ensued, Lydia found herself standing at a crossroads between guilt and hope. Mason’s unwavering support had illuminated the shadows of her self-doubt, allowing her to see that while she could empathize with Julia’s plight, her own heart didn’t have to bear the burden of forgiveness. The warmth of Mason’s embrace lingered, a reminder that love could provide solace even in the darkest moments. With her mother’s distressing call echoing in her mind, Lydia felt a surge of determination. She was ready to confront the fears that had haunted her, to seek the truth behind Julia’s fall, and to protect her family from the shadows lurking in their midst.

As the night wore on, Lydia realized that the emotional arc she had traversed was not merely about grappling with her past mistakes but also about embracing the complexities of human relationships. The bond with her mother, once strained, now held the potential for deeper understanding and connection. With every chopped vegetable in the kitchen, she felt the weight of her fears dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of agency. Lydia understood that the road ahead might be fraught with challenges, yet she was resolute in her quest for answers. With Mason and Zoe by her side, she felt emboldened to face whatever lay ahead, determined to reclaim her narrative and protect those she loved from the encroaching darkness.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the tension escalates following Lydia’s mother’s ominous phone call, readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions and revelations in the next chapter. The abrupt end to their conversation leaves Lydia reeling, her heart racing with fear for her mother’s safety. With Mason and Zoe by her side, the trio will likely band together, their determination to uncover the truth about Victoria intensifying. The stakes have never been higher, and as they piece together the events leading up to Julia’s fall, the dark secrets surrounding their lives will begin to unravel, revealing a tangled web of deceit and betrayal that could change everything.

Moreover, Lydia’s internal struggle will come to the forefront as she grapples with her feelings of guilt and responsibility. The chapter promises to delve deeper into her psyche as she confronts the reality of her relationships with both Julia and Victoria. Expect poignant moments of vulnerability as she seeks solace in Mason’s unwavering support, while also wrestling with her desire to protect her family. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their intertwined fates, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the shocking twists that await them as the truth comes to light. Will Lydia’s fears for her mother manifest into a race against time, or will they uncover a truth that binds them all together in ways they never expected?