The two locked in an embrace. Their eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
âThank you, Imogen. Do you have any idea how thrilled I am?â Francis whispered an emotional voice.
Imogenâs eyes mirrored the sentiment. âWe finally have a child of our own, Francis. Our little miracle that weâve waited for so long.â
Regina watched them coldly from her bed. Even Madeline, caught up in the moment, hugged her mother tightly. âMom, Dad, pretty soon weâll welcome our little brother. The Tanner family will be more complete.â
Suddenly, Francis pulled back, as if struck by a new thought. Wiping away a rogue tear from such an expected surprise, he said with a smile, âOr maybe a little sister. Boy or girl, Iâll treasure them just the same.â
Imogen nodded, her eyes wet with joy. âOur precious little one.â
But the trio had forgotten Regina, lying there sick.
Francis got carried away in his excitement without his eldest daughter in his mind.
Imogen and Madeline, of course, deliberately excluded her. When the family huddled together, Madeline threw a glance at Regina that seemed to say, âLook! This is what a real family looks like.â
Unbeknownst to them, Regina had grown past the stage of crying for her fatherâs attention years ago.
A sudden gasp from Regina broke the moment. âAh-â She grimaced in pain, Francis to turn his attention to his eldest.
âWhatâs wrong? Dizzy again? I told you not to get up so fast. Lie back down; yo weak. Once the house is ready, Iâll come to get you.â
Despite her pallor, Regina managed a weak smile. âDad, I havenât congratulated y new life youâre about to welcome.â
Francis felt a twinge of guilt. âNo matter how many children I have, youâll always be precious firstborn.â
Regina nodded. âDad, Iâd like to rest a bit more. Why donât you accompany Imogen for checkup? At her age, having a baby isnât childâs play.â
The words struck a chord with Francis. âYouâre right. We canât take any risk with Imoge age. When we get home, Iâll have the family doctor stay with us to look after her. But youâre ill now, so please donât worry about anyone else. Rest, and we wonât disturb you further.â
With a final pat on Reginaâs head, Francis left with Imogen and Madeline, leaving Regina alone in the quiet of her room, a respite from her stepmother and stepsisterâs presence. She knew her father had always wanted a son. It was surprising that Imogen, after all these years, was pregnant at last.
Reginaâs gaze fell to her phone as she sent a message to Nolan. She needed to understand what had happened that day.
Nolanâs call came swiftly, as if he had been waiting for her messag Regina didnât know what to say after the incident happened, and Nolan too spoke nothing. Silence stretched between them on the line.
Finally, Nolanâs deep voice broke the stillness. Why so quiet?â
His voice sent a shiver through Regina as if sheâd been gently electrified.
âYou saved me.â she whispered.