Chapter 2726


    “Imogen had talked with me before swapping out that old painting, and | figured she had a point. After all, there were four of us in


    the house now, right? Hanging that grandiose piece in the living room wasn’t exactly ttering for Imogen. If anyone else saw it,


    wouldn''t they start gossiping about our family? | thought her suggestion made a lot of sense. Plus, you could hang that painting


    over the headboard in your room, couldn’t you? | remember your room’s walls are pretty bare.”


    Francis’s agreement to let Imogen rece the painting only twisted the knife in Regina’s heart. It was as if he had already


    relegated their family to the past, while she was still clinging to the memories.


    “Are you not getting what I’m saying? It’s gone, and | can’t find it! Even if Mom has left you, that doesn’t mean you should forget


    herpletely. That painting was a reminder of us, the three of us. How could you just stand by and watch her take it down?“


    Francis’s expression darkened. He hated when people used him of not cherishing the past, especially after he had swiftly


    remarried to Imogen.


    Strangers saying such things was one thing, but his own daughter using him of being heartless was another.


    Wasn''t he trying to give Regina aplete family?


    “It''s gone, so it’s gone. It was just one of your little doodles, not worth much anyway.”


    Francis seemed callous, even stepping away from Regina, losing that fatherly tendernes he had just moments before.


    “There are things | haven''t said because | thought you were grown-up enough to understand. But | never expected you to be so


    childish. It makes sense that Imogen wants to rece that painting... Years have passed, and you should learn to ept reality.


    No matter how much you kick and scream, your mother isn’ting back.”Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Regina felt her heart turn ice cold. “What do you mean? I’m not a child. | know Mom’s noting back, but can’t | hold on to


    memories of her? You said you wanted to marry Imogen. Have | objected? You imed it was for my sake, but have you ever


    considered that | didn’t need someone else to take Mom’s ce? You''ve always been so selfish. It’s not about me, it’s about you.


    Now for your new family, you’re eager to marry me off, aren’t you? | should''ve realized it sooner. This is just who you are.”


    “How dare you!” Francis erupted in fury, ring at Regina. He suddenly saw her as a


    stranger, realizing he didn’t know when she had grown so tall.


    Her defiant stance, head held high against him reminded him of someone else. In the end, his hand raised in anger fell back to


    his side.


    “You''ve disappointed me greatly!”


    Regina cried out, “You''ve disappointed me too! You’re not a good father.”


    Since no one would help her look for the painting, she’d search for it herself.


    Thunder rumbled as a downpour began outside.


    Watching Regina rush out into the rain, Francis took a few steps to follow but then stopped himself.


    “She needs to learn how tough life can be without thefort | provide.” Yet, his fists were clenched tight, his gaze fixed on


    Regina.


    Emma, the family cook who had been with them for years, stepped out with tears brimming in her eyes, worried for the girl she


    had watched grow up.