Chapter 1854
Stunned into silence by his daughter’s accusations, Thaddeus found himself at a loss. He didn’t recognize the wild, frenzied woman in front of him. How could this possibly be his little girl, Sophia?
How had Sophia become like this?
Lea couldn’t stand it any longer. “Enough, Sophia!” She snapped. “How many times over the years have you manipulated Dad with your twisted version of family love?! You’re never satisfied! You’re the one with the deceitful heart! You lust after things that don’t belong to you! And now, you dare to blame Dad? Look at yourself for once!”
Sophia glared at Lea with venom in her eyes. “Who are you to lecture me, you little brat?! Was it your place to snatch away Dad’s affection and create this rift between us?!”
Lea scoffed. “Even without me, Dad would eventually see your true colors. You’re not worth any affection because you’re insatiable, ungrateful, and selfish!”
Enraged, Sophia shrieked, “Shut up, you little pest! I’ll kill you!”
She reached through the bars of her cell and lunged for Lea.
Quickly, Bertha pulled her daughter away from the bars and out of Sophia’s reach.
After watching this madness unfold, any shred of pity Thaddeus had for Sophia vanished. He grabbed an old coffee mug from a nearby table and threw its contents at Sophia.
The splash of cold water silenced her instantly.
Thaddeus looked at her with profound disappointment. “It’s my fault.” He said. “I indulged you and let you become this monster. You need to be here to face justice and hopefully change. Otherwise, you’ll just be a menace to society.”
With that, he set down the mug, draped his arm around Bertha’s shoulders, and led her and Lea away.
“Let’s go.”
As they left, Sophia’s cries for help echoed behind them. But Thaddeus didn’t look back, not even once.
Once they were back in the car, Thaddeus slumped in his seat. He covered his eyes with his hand, choking back his tears.
Lea, who had never seen her father this way, tentatively asked, “Dad, are you okay?”
Thaddeus didn’t answer. His stifled tears turned into open weeping.
After seeing her usually stoic husband breaking down, Bertha gently patted his back. “Thaddeus, it’s okay. Maybe this is for the best. Sophia needs to change.”
Thaddeus wept uncontrollably. “Bertha, you’re right. I spoiled her. I turned her into this…this monster. I failed as a parent. If only I had listened to you, if only I hadn’t indulged her every whim, maybe she wouldn’t have turned out like this…”
Thaddeus,” Bertha said softly, “there are no ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ in life. It’s never too late to realize our mistakes.”
Thaddeus didn’t respond. His cries filled the silence of the car.
For the first time in his life, he wept openly. He was consumed with regret over his daughter’s transformation into a menace.
In the quiet car, Bertha and Lea sat with Thaddeus, allowing him to vent his despair.
By the time they returned to their hotel, it was already late. Bertha supported Thaddeus, fearing his emotional turmoil might lead to a physical stumble. She suggested he rest while they dealt with the aftermath the next day.
