The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Miss Regina, the meal has gone cold. Please allow me to warm it up for you. The weather is nice. Let me set your breakfast up on the little table in the garden. Then, you could enjoy the sun and have your dessert. “Emma suggested, her voice bright with the prospect of a pleasant afternoon. She knew that arguing back for Regina’s sake wouldn’t solve much. It was just the thrill of a momentary win.

After all, Regina had been enduring this same treatment for years.

It would be better to get Regina away from the dining table sooner rather than later, to save her the discomfort of their presence, which was enough to make even a good meal taste bland.

Regina managed a smile, “Then warm them up for me, will you? I’ll be there in a bit.”

She patted Emma’s arm before turning her gaze to Imogen.

“Imogen, have you by any chance mentioned to my father your history with Domingo Skinner?”

Imogen tensed at the mention of that name, her previously carefree demeanor vanished.

“What are you talking about? I hardly know the man. Why would I bring him up to your father if there’s no acquaintance? Your father is quite busy, you know. As his daughter, you should be understanding instead of troubling him with irrelevant people.”

Regina raised an eyebrow. “Well, if he were truly irrelevant, sure; but he happened to be. your ex- husband, Imogen. Is that also irrelevant?”

Regina’s gaze shifted to Madeline, who seemed to freeze on the spot. Could her mothe ex-husband be connected to her in some way? She quickly dismissed the thought, bu look in Imogen’s eyes confirmed her suspicions.

Before Imogen could react, Madeline was the one who lost her composure. Anger fla up in her as she stood abruptly, pushing her plate away, not even caring as the silvery clattered to the floor. “Why dredge up the past? He’s an ex-husband, as you said. So w bring him up to Dad now? Are you trying to upset him on purpose?”

“I’m not the one seeking to upset Dad.” Regina retorted sharply. “But if someone insists making things unpleasant for me, don’t expect me to hold back. Besides, he’s your biological father, Madeline. You surely don’t think you can just sever ties with your past changing your last name? Imagine the surprise if others knew about your esteemed father. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Madeline clenched her fists, her jaw tight with tension. Imogen, concerned, reached for her hand but was forcefully shrugged off. Imogen’s hand slammed against the edge of the table, and it startled even Regina..

“What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?” Imogen demanded, rubbing her sore. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

She finally realized just how much her daughter struggled to keep her composure when confronted with the past. She was like a firecracker, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation.

But look at Regina – she could maintain an air of indifference even when her own mother was insulted.

Fuming, Madeline confronted Imogen, “Have you been in contact with that man again? I’ve told you before to cut all ties with them. Are you out of your mind? Don’t you remember how much misery he brought us?”