Regina sneered. She had no idea she had become such a troublemaker in her fatherâs eyeâs.
âFine, since youâre saying Iâm in the wrong, spell it out for me. What exactly did I do? How did I offend you to the point where youâre sobbing to Dad and pinning the blame on me?â
Regina leaned back in the chair, pursing her lips at Madeline.
Madeline waved her hands frantically. âNo, thatâs not it. Dad, youâve really got it wrong. Sis hasnât done anything-itâs all on me.
Maybe I was just cranky from waking up, but itâs not Reginaâs fault. Youâve got to stop misunderstanding her. After all, itâs not every day that Sis comes home, and Iâve missed her.â
Imogen gave a bitter smile while Francisâ temper flared even more.
âYouâve really got some nerve, donât you? Threatening Madeline right in front of me-if youâre like this now, I can only imagine what youâre like when Iâm not around. I want you to apologize to Madeline and swear youâll never do this again.â
Francis was still clueless about what Regina had actually done. But seeing her attitude just fanned the flames of his anger, and he insisted that Regina admit her wrongs and apologize to Madeline.
Madeline hung her head, stifling sobs to persuade Francis not to do this while flashing a triumphant smile that only Regina, sitting right across from her, could see clear as day.
âEven if I apologize, donât I at least get to know what I did? Maybe Madeline should te exactly what I did wrong-or is it that she hasnât yet come up with a good enough stor frame me?â
Francis slammed the table upon hearing her words. âThis is absurd!â
âAnd whoâs being absurd?â
Regina threw her fork out in anger, shocking everyone present. She had the gall to show such disrespect at her fatherâs table!
âOh, look at you! I arrange a marriage for you and it goes south, and now you donât care about your old man one bit. Throwing cutlery in front of me-what will you do when Iâm old and frail?â
Imogen chimed in, fanning the flames, âReally, Regina, how could you behave that way in front of your elders? Itâs so rude. Even if your fatherâs tone was a bit harsh, itâs only because he cares about you.
Youâre home for a rare visit, and your fatherâs finally happy. Go on, apologize to him, and letâs put this whole mess behind us.â
âHa, Imogen, I didnât ask for your two cents, so kindly keep them to yourself, will you? All this talk might look like youâre defending me, but really, youâre just agreeing by default that Iâm to blame. I went upstairs to call your precious daughter down to lunch, and now Iâm in the wrong? Sheâs up there throwing a tantrum, and thatâs somehow my fault? Seems youâve not taught your daughter well.â
Regina relaxed, slouching on the table, âThen again, with a biological father like that, itâs tough to raise a good daughter like her.â
Madeline felt her scalp tingle; Regina had actually brought up her father in front of Francis.
Imogen suddenly interjected sharply. âEnough of this nonsense!â
Francis, surprised by her sudden outburst, looked at her curiously..
Imogen chuckled awkwardly, âAh, what I meant was that Regina was still quite young when Madeline was born, so how could she possibly know what that man was like before? I just wanted these kids to stop talking nonsense, thatâs all-no other meaning behind it.â