âLet me tell you, he hasnât got an ounce of affection for you, and Iâve just confirmed that. This whole farce is just to appease Dad. Once he gets his hands on those surveillance tapes, heâll divorce you so fast your head will spin. Let me give it to you straight, sister- you havenât got a chance in hell. Weâre both women here; I know exactly what youâve been pining over him for.â
Regina had no clue where she had disappeared to, but when she heard such a definitive declaration that there was no hope left for anything between her and Nolan, it still pierced her heart deeply.
But she kept her composure. Her face was as calm as a still pond.
âIs that so? If I donât stand a chance, do you think that you do? Ms. Tanner, you sure are playing a clever game. But I call you âMs. Tannerâ, do you really think youâre one of the Tanners? Madeline Skinner, if Iâm not worthy, youâre even less so.â
Imogen frowned and scolded, âRegina, how can you speak to your sister like that? Weâve been part of the Tanner family for so many years; how can you say such hurtful things?
Your sister was only speaking the truth, and here you are, spewing such ugliness. Itâs downright uncouth.â
Regina didnât let her off the hook. âImogen, better take care of that little thing in your womb. Would be a real shame if something happened to it.â
Imogen instinctively shielded her belly. Reginaâs nonchalant gesture toward her abdomen had truly frightened her..
Reginaâs eyes were filled with a warning â cross her, and theyâd all go down togeth shut Imogen up.
âAnd here you are, thinking youâre the high and mighty Regina Tanner. But take a go look at yourself, all down and out. You should ask around, and youâll see how they you like plague! If I were you, Iâd just find a rope and hang myself.â
âShe might be down on her luck, but sheâs still my daughter, and itâs not for some Ski to judge.â
Francis suddenly appeared at the stairwell corner, causing Madeline to snap her mout shut. She frowned and looke at Imogen.
Imogen, even more frustrated and resentful, wondered how she could have been caugh out by him again. Any excuse she could make for Madeline now seemed worthless.
âImogen, when you have a moment, perhaps you should teach your daughter some manners, so she doesnât corrupt our child.â
Francis said it so coldly that Imogen broke out in a sweat.
Their child had not been born yet; how could Madeline possibly corrupt him? He was warning her â if she didnât fall in line, Madeline could be sent away.
Madelineâs last name was a gift from him, a mercy. He didnât care about being the butt of jokes or the whispers of wearing a cuckoldâs horns. But if she lost his favor, Madeline would have to disappear from the Tanner family.
Regina didnât care what they were saying. It was all irrelevant to her. She returned to her room, bored to tears, and began plotting how to steal the recording.
She felt wronged, especially by Nolan. He hadnât given her a chance to explain, lumping her in with her father as if they were conspiring together. spent together, He said all this time she had been setting a trap; but after all the time they spent werenât there enough things to show who she really was? Was she really that untrustworthy?
âForget it, what could you do when Dad really did those things. Once I hand over the video, surely heâll believe me then.â