Lea frowned. âI didnât tell any lies; why should I apologize? Teachers in school always told me to be honest.â
Bertha was left speechless, not knowing how to handle her own daughter.
Sophiaâs face reddened in anger, wishing she could retaliate physically. She looked at her father with a mix of resentment and fury. âDad! You heard it all! Bertha has been teaching Lea to pick on me!â
Thaddeus was in a dilemma. He was caught between his two daughters.
Moreover, his younger daughter had unintentionally spoken the harsh truth while trying to defend him.
âSophia, Lea is still young. Consider this a childâs innocent chatter. Iâll have a talk with Bertha about teaching her better. But now we are in a public place. Letâs head to the hotel first.â
Sophia swallowed her anger and discomfort, but since her father had stepped in, she couldnât throw a fit. She calmed herself down, leading her father away from the airport towards the hotel.
In the van leaving the airport Thaddeus turned around to see his wife and younger daughter asleep in the back seat. He then softly spoke to Sophia, âSophia, itâs okay; stop frowning. I know youâre upset, but try to understand my predicament. Bertha has been with me through thick and thin without any complaints. She and your sister are good people.â
Good people?
Sophia laughed sarcastically. âDad, if you think theyâre good, would you also consider me bad if they find fault in me?â
Thaddeus shook his head. âNonsense! How could I ever think youâre bad? Youâre my own flesh and blood! Besides, Bertha and your sister donât think youâre bad either. Bertha often reminds me to take care of you, even more than I do myself. As for your sister, sheâs just a child who speaks her mind.â
Sophia turned even more upset. âDad! Are you saying that what Lea said at the airport is true? That the only reason Marcus is with me is because you broke his leg and he couldnât get away?â
Thaddeus felt a surge of sorrow for his daughterâs troubled love life, but he couldnât deny the facts.
âSophia, Iâm not trying to blame you. But you know how you managed to keep that man by your side.
You canât deceive yourself. I just donât want to see you suffer with him, but you wouldnât listen. I had to compromise for your happiness.â
Sophiaâs face turned pale. Her fatherâs words were a harsh reminder of her own actions, leaving her feeling humiliated.
Yet she still wished for her fatherâs unconditional support, hoping he would think she did nothing wrong.
âDad, I just love him too much. I canât live without himâ¦â
Thaddeus sighed. âI know. Thatâs why I didnât stop you from doing what you did. But Sophia, you need to know right from wrong. What you did back then was indeed wrong. Your sister didnât lie, so donât hold it against her. Sheâs just a kid.â