â| swear, Imogen, if Iâd known you were at the hospital, | wouldnât have dragged you into this mess. It could have been a scandal, and there is no need for the whole world to know about it.â
Imogen turned away, feigning anger, and silently wiped away a tear. âWould you believe me if | said it? Itâs so easy to find out the truth, yet you make me explain it over and over. In the end, you just donât trust me.
Of course, no one can be as important as your daughter in your heart.
Yes, | get it. Itâs a matter of the Tanners, and how dare | meddle, right? But Iâve been a stepmom for years now, donât | have the right to care about Regina? Mr. Tanner, if you canât even grant me that much, then Iâve got nothing more to say.â
âCome on now, please. Iâve never said such a thing. Arenât you just throwing a fit here? Itâs just... when | saw Regina in disarray, in the same room as another man, it hit me hard as a father. Youâve got to understand that...â
He let out a deep sigh. âEver since her mother passed, Iâve been under so much pressure. Iâve been so afraid that | wouldnât raise her right. And now that sheâs grown, sheâs gotten herself into trouble.â
Hearing this softened Imogenâs heart, and she gently smoothed the lines of worry from his forehead. âI know how tough itâs been for you, and | understand why you married me But now that we're together, | donât want you stressing over these things.
Regina is an adult, and her choices are her own. We can guide her, but we canât control decisions, you see? Francis, itâs time to let go.â
Francis nodded thoughtfully. âI know, but how can a parent easily let go, especially since Regina is different from others. She lost her mother so young. You suggested we settle her down soon, but after giving it some thought, maybe she should stay with me a little longer.â
Imogen panicked at his words, calming herself before responding, âFrancis, you're always looking at it from a manâs perspective.
Have you considered that Regina might not want to stay home that long? She moved out a while ago; sheâs been very independent. You canât just keep her at home because you want to.
In my opinion, itâs better to let her find a man she loves and settle down sooner rather than later. Of course, thatâs just my take. If you really want to keep her close, | wonât object.â
Francis was easily swayed, and Imogenâs words made him wonder if he should indeed consider Reginaâs wishes.
Seeing Nolan with Regina today had, in truth, been a relief. That was Nolan Harris after all. If his daughter could land a catch like that, it would bode well for the Tanners â their own group would have a smoother path with the Harris Group on their side. But he didnât expect that Nolan would deny. His anger flared at the denial, which he took as a disdain for the Tanners.
âIt wouldnât be so bad if Regina could really end up with Nolan.â Francis mused, more to himself.
Imogen tensed at his words. âThey have already said WISI ICE SI SINRE?
ygu geiricttoâpuish them together against their will? Young people these days value love that's free.â
Francis gave her a sidelong glance, aware of the little schemes in heryy\
indshe WeaReQabe Ce for adeline. But did she really think Nolan would take a second glance at her?
He considered that Nolan and Regina might actually have a chance. Nolanâs panic earlier didnât look feigned.
With that thought, Francis felt a vague plan forming.
No matter what, as a father, he had to give his da htera dakid Cha Nelda Wea hea option he could think of.