Chapter 2710
“Ever since you left, I feel like I’ve been fumbling every decision, Magina. If only you were still here, things would be so much better. No matter how many women I meet, they never hold a candle to you, Magina.”
Imogen had followed him upstairs, mulling over how she could further explain herself, but there he was in the study, lost in memories of his late wife.
Madeline, with a worried look in her eyes, approached her, “Mom, your actions tonight were really risky. If Dad didn’t still have a soft spot for you, he could have blown his top. Why didn’t you run it by me first? That whole business with the bracelet could have gone either way, and it’s a shame to see Regina sidestep the issue like that!”
“Did you not see how Nolan and Regina were cozied up together for ages? If Francis looked any more pleased with Nolan, I’d have thought he was plotting to match-make those two,” Imogen retorted.
Madeline, skeptical, chimed in, “I doubt it. Nolan’s from a prestigious family, way out of the Tanner family’s league. Why would he stoop to pursue such a woman? Mom, you worry too much. Thankfully, Dad let the matter slide tonight and didn’t make a scene in front of everyone.”
Madeline was also relieved that Nolan had made an early exit. If he had witnessed her mother’s pettiness, she would’ve been utterly dismayed.
“Enough, Madeline. Why are you always on my case? Everything I do is for you, isn’t it? Let’s go. The widower is reminiscing about his beloved wife. He won’t bother us now.”
Imogen’s tone carried a hint of disdain. She could never understand these men. They take their loved ones for granted when they have them, and then indulge in this insincere nostalgia when they’re gone.
Did he think she didn’t know about the photo of him and Magina he kept hidden in the study? She simply chose not to mention it.
Her relationship with Francis had always been one of mutual exploitation. Ever since she resolved to use him to change her life, she had been acutely aware of this fact. She was not some naive girl who knew only of love. She wanted more, much more. And letting him believe she was deeply in love with him wasn’t such a bad play.
After the driver dropped Regina off at her place, she thanked him and languidly unlocked her door. She turned on the lights one by one, then off again. The house always felt so empty.
Sometimes, the loneliness was too much for Regina.
She took off all her jewelry and stared at the youthful, beautiful woman in the mirror, hardly recognizing herself.
“Mom, do you know? Dad wronged me again today. That woman came out of nowhere with a surveillance tape, accusing me of hiding her bracelet. But I never even set foot in her room, and Dad believed her over me! He scolded her later, sure, but he doubted me for a moment, and it hurt. I miss you so much, Mom. Why won’t you visit me in my dreams? Is it because I’m a disappointment? Or have you already forgotten about your daughter? I miss you.”
After repeating her longing for her mother, Regina finally got ready for bed.
