The Kiss that Sparked it All

There were some burning questions that needed to be asked, and she preferred to confront Imogen face-to-face.

She had no intention of bringing her father into the loop just yet. With the whirlwind of events that had transpired recently and Imogen now having a child with her father, she figured spilling the beans might not change a thing. That leverage had to be kept close to her chest, ready to be played at the most opportune moment.

Life, with its myriad complexities, had to go on and Regina focused on her current job. Once this case was wrapped up, she promised herself to reevaluate her future.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t been courted by the entertainment industry before. The glitz and glamour never appealed to her, and with her family background, she never needed to jostle in the limelight for a paycheck.

But times had changed. Now, she had her own path to carve, independent of the allowance her father doled out. Acting could be a viable option-it would certainly help settle Nolan’s debts quicker.

Lost in her thoughts, Regina drove home.

Her father, Francis, greeted her with a rare hint of joy. This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Back so soon? Where’s Nolan? Didn’t he come with you?”

Handing the keys to the butler with a stoic expression, Regina bristled at his inquiry, “Why did you call him yesterday?”

“I’m his father-in-law, ain’t I? Just catching up, that’s all.”

Biting her lip, she tried to contain her frustration. Her father was crossing lines more than ever.

“Dad, Nolan’s given you the money. The Tanner family isn’t in the dire straits you claim. Can you please stop this charade? Regardless of everything, Nolan and I are still married. Can’t you leave me some dignity?”

Francis’ face soured at her words. “What’s that supposed to mean? Embarrassed by your old man, are you? Seems like you’ve forgotten who’s been footing the bill for your lavish lifestyle-all thanks to this ‘thick-skinned’ father of yours. And now you have the gall to complain?”

Regina looked down, offering no comeback, but Francis’ tirade escalated.

“Now you remember you’re married to the guy? When I had to push him to marry you, you acted like it was the last thing you wanted. It’s laughable, really. Don’t get all high and mighty just because you’re Mrs. Harris now. Don’t forget where you come from!”

Still, she tried to reason with him weakly. “I haven’t forgotten where I come from, Dad. That’s why I’m advising you. You know what kind of man Nolan is.

Do you really want to provoke him like this? Sure, he can spare a dime for the Tanners now and then, but you can’t keep milking him dry. He’s not an ATM, Dad. Every penny is accounted for, and I have to pay him back.”

Suddenly, Francis’ grip tightened on her arm. “What did you just say? Pay him back? That money was a gift, a donation to the Tanners. Why on earth would you pay it back?”

Regina was cornered, her father demanding an explanation. She couldn’t very well admit that after he extorted money from Nolan, she was secretly planning to reimburse him-especially since he knew she barely had two nickels to rub together.