Sophia furrowed her brows. âBertha, what are you talking about? When have I ever hated you or Lea?
Is that really how you see me? You make it sound so nice, saying itâs because of Dad that you treat me like your own daughter! Is this how you treat your own daughter? Would you second-guess your own daughter like this? All I did was suggest, while Leaâs still young, you should educate her properly and prevent her from developing a bad temper! Is this hatred? If I truly hated you, I wouldnât be sitting here having dinner with you, and Dad wouldnât force me to!â
Bertha had watched Sofia shed tears as she spoke, frowning in silence. Despite knowing Sophia was faking it, she didnât want to seem too aggressive, considering her elder status.
Lea, however, had no such inhibitions. She had watched Sophia manipulate her mother one too many times and was not about to hold back!
Crying? She might not enjoy it, but she sure as hell could do it!
âWah⦠Waaahâ¦â
Lea burst into tears, âSophia, when will you ever stop? My mom didnât say anything unreasonable, yet youâre crying! Iâm the one who should be crying, right? You were just accusing my mom of not raising me right, saying I have a bad temper, that Iâve picked up bad habits and whatnot! Iâm the one whoâs wronged here!â
Fighting fire with fire was always effective.
Sophia found it hard to continue her charade as Leaâs sobs overpowered hers.
She glared at Lea before turning her tear-filled eyes towards their stern-faced father, Thaddeus.
âDad, you saw it. Bertha and Lea misinterpreted my good intentions.â
Thaddeus, with a heavy sigh, looked at Sophia and then sternly turned to Lea, âEnough! Stop crying, this is a restaurant, youâre ruining other peopleâs dining experience!â
Lea, taken aback by her fatherâs scolding, only cried harder.
Thaddeus, exasperated, muttered, âThis child is reallyâ¦â
âReally what?â Bertha, dropping her usual pleasant demeanor, interrupted her husband, âThaddeus, do you need to shout at our daughter?â
Thaddeus was taken aback, seldom having seen his wife lose her temper. He was perplexed, âWhy are you getting angry at me? I was only educating our child! If I canât even do that, then itâs clear youâve spoiled her. Sheâs becoming unruly!â
âYouâre a piece of shit!â Bertha retorted.
Thaddeus, wide-eyed, thought heâd misheard, âWhat⦠What did you just call me? Bertha, whatâs wrong with you today?â
Bertha was genuinely furious, âNot just today. Iâve been wrong since the beginning! How else would I have ended up marrying you?â
Thaddeusâs face darkened further, âEnough! Stop making a scene here!â