The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Why do you have to be so rude? Can’t get pearls from a swine,” Madeline said, arms crossed, looking down on Regina as if marrying into the Harris family had elevated her to a different social plane altogether.

Regina let out a light chuckle, “That kind of narrow-mindedness is typical of a country bumpkin like you.”

Madeline’s face flushed red with anger. She loathed being called a country bumpkin, especially by someone like Regina.

“Who are you calling a bumpkin?”

“I’m just telling it like it is. Aren’t you a little bit of a hick? All rustic and unsophisticated.”

“You? You!” Madeline was beside herself with fury. “For your information, I am the trendsetter at school. Even the Redwood family heiress asks for my advice when she goes shopping.

You’re the real country bumpkin here. Look at yourself, all dressed up with nowhere to go, thinking you’re fashion-forward. And you have the nerve to call me unsophisticated?”

Madeline was sputtering with rage, but the more she lost her cool, the more composed Regina appeared.

“Well, that just proves the Redwood girl doesn’t know chic from shabby if she’s coming to you for fashion tips.”

Regina, standing a good deal taller, made even the simplest outfit look chic. The sur backlighting her at the doorway accentuated her slender figure, which only added Madeline’s envy.

“One more word, and I swear I’ll get Dad to settle this! You’ve been nothing but trouble since you got back, turning this house upside down. He’s bound to give you an earful.”

Madeline seemed to revel in the thought of Regina getting a dressing-down from Francis, her face lighting up with a victor’s smile. Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Regina was baffled. She couldn’t fathom what she had done to make them think she feared her father.

So what if he scolds her? It goes in one ear and out the other. After all, she was Francis’ flesh and blood, not like Madeline, who was as good as an adopted daughter.

Regina didn’t take her father’s scolding to heart, but Madeline was different. She always trod carefully in this household, never daring to show her dislike for Regina in front of Francis.

Unlike Regina, who seemed to act with impunity, knowing that, until now, she was still Francis’ only daughter.

Regina was sure her father wouldn’t go out of his way to protect the adopted daughter at the expense of his own.

Even though Regina hadn’t fully realized it, this was indeed part of her confidence.

“Enough. I can’t be bothered to argue with you. Your mom has been calling for lunch; she’ll start to wilt from hunger soon. And if she’s hungry, the little one inside her will be too. Consider your next move carefully.”

Regina turned on her heel and strode down the stairs with her long legs, leaving Madeline to stew in her jealousy.

“Oh, look, both the girls have come down now” cooed Imogen, “I knew it. Regina must’ve just been a bit quiet earlier. Our Madeline is always so eager when it comes to the meal.”

Francis nodded in approval, “Alright, since both the kids are here, you start eating, love. Didn’t you say you were craving pot roast? Let me serve you some.”

Imogen smiled..”The two of them are close in age. When we’re older, they’ll have to look after each other. A little squabble here and there doesn’t matter, as long as they can live together in harmony.”