Chapter 1848
Bertha understood her husband’s stubborn nature. Convincing him to apologize was like asking him to scale the heavens, but she was determined to try.
“Thaddeus, you know as well as I do that Sophia had no business keeping Mr. Blanchet around for three years. The man already had a wife and kids, yet Sophia had no qualms about tearing his family apart. We owe them an apology. It’s as simple as that.” She needed to get him to understand.
Thaddeus glowered. “Even so, if he has a problem with me, he can come and say it to my face! I’m not afraid of him! Apologize? Over my dead body!”
“Thaddeus…” Bertha felt a wave of despair. “What am I going to do with you? Are you trying to burn every bridge we have? Marlinie is my best friend, and your behavior is making me feel utterly ashamed.”
Thaddeus frowned. His pride as a man made it impossible for him to apologize, so he just remained silent.
Suddenly, their daughter Lea, who had been standing quietly off to the side, stepped forward and made a face at her father. “Boo!”
Taken aback, Thaddeus scowled at his daughter. “Lea, what on earth are you doing? Are you mocking me too?”
Lea crossed her arms and shook her head. “I’m not mocking you. I’m judging you, Dad.”
“You…” Thaddeus’ frown deepened. “What did you say? You dare judge me?”
Lea jerked her chin up defiantly. “Yes, I am judging you! I’m judging you for aiding and abetting Sophia, for refusing to admit your mistakes, and for being too proud to apologize to the people you’ve hurt! You always tell me to be a good girl, but you can’t even follow your own advice! If I don’t judge you, who will?”
Thaddeus was left speechless, and his face was growing more ashen by the minute.
Lea continued, “Dad, I usually look up to you. But your support for Sophia and your enabling of her… I just can’t stand by that, and it’s making me dislike you. If you can’t apologize to Ellinor and Marcus for what you’ve done, then I don’t want anything to do with you. I’m sure you won’t mind, since Sophia seems to be the only one you care about.”
With that, Lea turned on her heel and headed back to her room.
Thaddeus scowled at his daughter’s retreating figure as a wave of guilt washed over him. “Wait!”
Lea stopped and looked back. “What now? Are you going to lecture me again?”
Thaddeus took a deep breath. “Come stand by your mother. I need to change, then we can go together.”
Both Lea and Bertha looked at Thaddeus in surprise.
After a brief internal struggle, Thaddeus decided to heed his wife and daughter’s advice, albeit reluctantly. He got up and went to his room to change.
His clothes were already fresh from an earlier change, but he needed a moment to collect himself.
Lea excitedly ran to her mother’s side after realizing her dad was willing to listen to them. “Mom! Dad’s realized his mistake! He’s going to apologize to Ellinor and Marcus!”
Bertha smiled. She was utterly relieved. She knew Thaddeus was aware of his wrongdoings, but his protective instinct for Sophia had blinded him.
Now, she could only hope that Ellinor and Marcus would be forgiving.
Thaddeus emerged from his room in a different suit, not much different from the one he was wearing earlier.
Lea ran over to him and took his hand. “Let’s go, Dad. We’re going to see Ellinor and Marcus.”
Bertha joined them with a gentle smile on her face. “Thaddeus, let’s go.”
Thaddeus cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded.
