The Kiss that Sparked it All

Regina sneered. She had no idea she had become such a troublemaker in her father’s eye’s.

“Fine, since you’re saying I’m in the wrong, spell it out for me. What exactly did I do? How did I offend you to the point where you’re sobbing to Dad and pinning the blame on me?”

Regina leaned back in the chair, pursing her lips at Madeline.

Madeline waved her hands frantically. “No, that’s not it. Dad, you’ve really got it wrong. Sis hasn’t done anything-it’s all on me.

Maybe I was just cranky from waking up, but it’s not Regina’s fault. You’ve got to stop misunderstanding her. After all, it’s not every day that Sis comes home, and I’ve missed her.”

Imogen gave a bitter smile while Francis’ temper flared even more.

“You’ve really got some nerve, don’t you? Threatening Madeline right in front of me-if you’re like this now, I can only imagine what you’re like when I’m not around. I want you to apologize to Madeline and swear you’ll never do this again.”

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.

“Even if I apologize, don’t I at least get to know what I did? Maybe Madeline should te exactly what I did wrong-or is it that she hasn’t yet come up with a good enough stor frame me?”

Francis slammed the table upon hearing her words. “This is absurd!”

“And who’s being absurd?”

Regina threw her fork out in anger, shocking everyone present. She had the gall to show such disrespect at her father’s table!

“Oh, look at you! I arrange a marriage for you and it goes south, and now you don’t care about your old man one bit. Throwing cutlery in front of me-what will you do when I’m old and frail?” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Imogen chimed in, fanning the flames, “Really, Regina, how could you behave that way in front of your elders? It’s so rude. Even if your father’s tone was a bit harsh, it’s only because he cares about you. You’re home for a rare visit, and your father’s finally happy. Go on, apologize to him, and let’s put this whole mess behind us.”

“Ha, Imogen, I didn’t ask for your two cents, so kindly keep them to yourself, will you? All this talk might look like you’re defending me, but really, you’re just agreeing by default that I’m to blame. I went upstairs to call your precious daughter down to lunch, and now I’m in the wrong? She’s up there throwing a tantrum, and that’s somehow my fault? Seems you’ve not taught your daughter well.”

Regina relaxed, slouching on the table, “Then again, with a biological father like that, it’s tough to raise a good daughter like her.”

Madeline felt her scalp tingle; Regina had actually brought up her father in front of Francis.

Imogen suddenly interjected sharply. “Enough of this nonsense!”

Francis, surprised by her sudden outburst, looked at her curiously..

Imogen chuckled awkwardly, “Ah, 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, that’s all-no other meaning behind it.”