Why else would Nolan keep bringing Regina back to meet his family, time and time again? To Nolan, family was everything. His relation to the Harris family was a fact oblivious to the outside world.
Heâd bring Regina to those family dinners on every occasion. It was a testament to how much he valued her.
Unfortunately, Regina had always been clueless, still thinking Nolan was just playing the part of a lover in front of his family.
âYou might just be caught up in the moment, thinking you like me. But itâs not real. Once you cool down, youâll see thereâs nothing to like about me. Iâll just bring you endless trouble. Nolan, please stop asking me these things. I canât give you the answer you want.â Regina knew how hurtful her words were, but she felt trapped; she couldnât let her own selfish desires ruin him. He was a bright CEO with a promising future, and she was⦠well, what was she compared to him?
They were worlds apart.
âI refuse to believe you feel nothing for me. If you truly didnât care, you wouldnât be saying this. Is it because of your family that youâre rejecting me?â
Nolan let go of Regina. He had always avoided facing his feelings head-on, but he was willing to wait a bit longer today, forcing Regina to confront the truth.
âI⦠I donât like you!â Regina said through clenched teeth, but she couldnât bring herself to look at Nolan.
âOh? Is that so? Well, then, I might as well go on some blind dates tomorrow. Weâre bound to split up sooner or later, so I might as well start looking for someone new now.â
Regina was shocked to hear Nolan talk so coldly about his future plans. âThat soon!â
âIs it? Meeting a few people in a day, leaving time to develop feelings. By the time we part ways, Iâll have chosen someone.â
Frowning, she disagreed, âMarriage isnât a joke You canât just treat it so lightly.â
âIâve done it, havenât I? Itâs none of your business.â
Nolanâs gaze was steady on Regina, but eventually, she just shook her head.
âWhat am I to have a say? We rushed into this marriage. When you find your next wife, you shouldnât be like this anymore. You must take it step by step, from getting to know each other to falling in love.â
Hearing Regina say this didnât anger Nolan. Instead, he realized how much her family situation had affected her. The once cheerful and straightforward girl was now hesitant, even dreaming of entering the entertainment industry to pay off her familyâs debts.
He needed to deal with the Francis issue soon, or Regina might never open up to him.
Yet, when Regina suggested leaving the South Hill Community, Nolan didnât agree.
âDonât worry. Even if thereâs someone else, Iâll make sure she has a place to stay. It wonât be worse than South Hill Community.â
Regina felt bitter hearing this, but she had made her choice, and there was no turning back.
No one expected Madeline to seek out Domingo on her own.
Seeing the girl in front of him, the spitting image of Imogen, he could hardly believe his eyes.
âAre you really my daughter?â