The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Let me tell you, he hasn’t got an ounce of affection for you, and I’ve just confirmed that. This whole farce is just to appease Dad. Once he gets his hands on those surveillance tapes, he’ll divorce you so fast your head will spin. Let me give it to you straight, sister- you haven’t got a chance in hell. We’re both women here; I know exactly what you’ve been pining over him for.”

Regina had no clue where she had disappeared to, but when she heard such a definitive declaration that there was no hope left for anything between her and Nolan, it still pierced her heart deeply.

But she kept her composure. Her face was as calm as a still pond.

“Is that so? If I don’t stand a chance, do you think that you do? Ms. Tanner, you sure are playing a clever game. But I call you ‘Ms. Tanner’, do you really think you’re one of the Tanners? Madeline Skinner, if I’m not worthy, you’re even less so.”

Imogen frowned and scolded, “Regina, how can you speak to your sister like that? We’ve been part of the Tanner family for so many years; how can you say such hurtful things?

Your sister was only speaking the truth, and here you are, spewing such ugliness. It’s downright uncouth.”

Regina didn’t let her off the hook. “Imogen, better take care of that little thing in your womb. Would be a real shame if something happened to it.”

Imogen instinctively shielded her belly. Regina’s nonchalant gesture toward her abdomen had truly frightened her..

Regina’s eyes were filled with a warning – cross her, and they’d all go down togeth shut Imogen up.

“And here you are, thinking you’re the high and mighty Regina Tanner. But take a go look at yourself, all down and out. You should ask around, and you’ll see how they you like plague! If I were you, I’d just find a rope and hang myself.”

“She might be down on her luck, but she’s still my daughter, and it’s not for some Ski to judge.”

Francis suddenly appeared at the stairwell corner, causing Madeline to snap her mout shut. She frowned and looke at Imogen.

Imogen, even more frustrated and resentful, wondered how she could have been caugh out by him again. Any excuse she could make for Madeline now seemed worthless.

“Imogen, when you have a moment, perhaps you should teach your daughter some manners, so she doesn’t corrupt our child.”

Francis said it so coldly that Imogen broke out in a sweat.

Their child had not been born yet; how could Madeline possibly corrupt him? He was warning her – if she didn’t fall in line, Madeline could be sent away.

Madeline’s last name was a gift from him, a mercy. He didn’t care about being the butt of jokes or the whispers of wearing a cuckold’s horns. But if she lost his favor, Madeline would have to disappear from the Tanner family.

Regina didn’t care what they were saying. It was all irrelevant to her. She returned to her room, bored to tears, and began plotting how to steal the recording.

She felt wronged, especially by Nolan. He hadn’t given her a chance to explain, lumping her in with her father as if they were conspiring together. spent together,

He said all this time she had been setting a trap; but after all the time they spent weren’t there enough things to show who she really was? Was she really that untrustworthy?

“Forget it, what could you do when Dad really did those things. Once I hand over the video, surely he’ll believe me then.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.