Sophia found herself thinking about her parents in a way that she never had before, and it was infuriating.
Lost in her thoughts, she became more and more annoyed.
Thaddeus, oblivious to the turmoil in his eldest daughter, walked past her with his youngest daughter, Lea, by his side. Only then did he notice the emptiness beside Sophia.
After noticing that Sophia was all by herself, Thaddeus frowned in displeasure. âWhatâs going on here?
Sophia, did you come alone? Where are that man and the child?â
Sophia came back to her senses and explained to her father. âDad, Marcus has trouble with his leg, so I didnât ask him to come. The child is at home with him.â
Thaddeus grunted. âCanât he use a wheelchair? His in-laws are here, and he couldnât even bother to come greet them. What a thoughtless man!â
Sophia didnât like her father talking about Marcus like that. She frowned and said, âDad, donât talk about Marcus like that. Donât forget how his leg ended up that way. He didnât choose this.â
This made Thaddeus feel a twinge of guilt. Not towards Marcus, but towards his own daughter.
Regardless, it was his responsibility as a father that her daughterâs chosen man ended up disabled. He had let his anger get the best of him, and now his daughter had to live with the consequences.
Thaddeus remained silent, but Lea, who had been brought over by Thaddeus, spoke up. âSophia, youâre wrong to blame Dad. I think you should be thanking him. Why are you blaming him instead?â
Sophia was instinctively annoyed by Lea, but she controlled her emotions and asked her calmly, âLea, what do you mean? I donât understand what youâre saying. If Dad were to cripple your future husband, would you thank him?â
Lea, hands out of her pockets, shrugged. âOf course, I wouldnât.â
Sophiaâs eyes hardened as a sarcastic smile played at the corners of her mouth. âThen why are you telling me to thank Dad? Isnât that a bit hypocritical?â
Lea was unfazed and stated her point of view. âI said I wouldnât because I would never marry a man who doesnât love me. I wouldnât put Dad in a position where he feels the need to intervene. So, this probably wouldnât happen to me.
But you, Sophia, are different. You insisted on clinging to a man who didnât love you, a man who already had a family. You made Dad worry about you, and he had to break that manâs leg to keep him by your side.
If Dad hadnât stepped in, Iâm sure Marcus would have left you to go back to his wife and child.
Sophia, do you still think you shouldnât thank Dad? Without Dad breaking Marcusâs leg, would you be with Marcus now?â
The truth could be sharp and painful sometimes. Sophia was incensed by Leaâs harsh reality check.
âWho taught you to talk to me like this? Was it your mother?â
Lea shook her head earnestly. âNo one taught me. I said what I saw. My mom wouldnât waste her time teaching me something like that.â
Sophiaâs face turned pale with anger, and she pointed accusingly at Lea, then at Bertha beside her. âIt was you! You taught her! Bertha, what are you trying to do?â
Bertha shook her head innocently. âNo, Sophia, Iâm sorry. Lea is just a kid and doesnât know what sheâs saying. Iâll ask her to apologize to you. Lea, apologize to your sister.â