The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2782

Madeline was blindsided by the verbal lashing, her temper flaring. “What’s your problem? I was just showing some concern, and you bit my head off? Fine, I’ll just stop caring. And next time you’re sick in bed with one of your headaches, don’t expect me to play nurse!”

Fuming, Madeline spun on her heel to leave, but Imogen caught her arm. “Oh, honey, don’t get mad at me. Alas, you just don’t know the whole story. Do you even realize why Regina brought up Domingo? She’s trying to get a rise out of me!”

“Domingo? What about him? Do you know this guy or something?” Madeline’s frustration was evident, her impatience etched on her face. “Didn’t you hear what Regina said, Mom? That man’s bad news. Have you forgotten how we got into the Tanner family? Our past is dead and buried. Do you really want to go stirring up old ghosts? Think about it: do you want to jeopardize being Mrs. Tanner? If not for yourself, then think about me!”

Madeline paced anxiously. The last thing she wanted was for Imogen to reconnect with the shady characters from their old life. If Francis caught wind of it, they’d be out on their ears.

“What do you know anyway? Do you actually believe Regina’s nonsense? That girl wouldn’t know the truth if it bit her. She doesn’t know the first thing about Domingo!”

Imogen’s defense of another man set off alarm bells in Madeline’s mind. Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

“Tell me the truth, who is this guy to you? Why are you protecting him?”

“I-I… Oh, it’s grown-up stuff, sweetie. Just remember this – Domingo’s not a bad guy, at least not to us. He’s been good to us. Don’t listen to that snake Regina.”

“Mom, please get real. Even if you have a history with this man, you need to cut ties completely. Regina is digging into his business dealings, and Dad doesn’t approve of him either. No matter how good he’s been to you, you need to forget him, okay?”

Imogen hung her head, silent. She had just called Domingo; how could she possibly do her daughter asked?

“You haven’t contacted him, have you?” Madeline asked.

Seeing Imogen’s guilty silence, Madeline was livid. “What are you thinking? Isn’t life good enough for you now? You want to go back to that rat-infested alley? Well, I’m warning you: even if you want to go back to that gutter, I sure as hell don’t. Can you please just wake up?”

Madeline wanted to shake some sense into her mother. She never thought that while battling Regina for her place, she’d have to keep an eye on her own mother, who seemed ready to sabotage everything at the worst possible time.

“Oh, relax, will you? I’ve been around the block more times than you can imagine. I won’t do anything to hurt you. Madeline, don’t worry. I’m just touching base with him for a bit. If all goes well, Regina won’t ever be able to challenge you again. Then you can live your life as Regina in peace!”

The glint in Imogen’s eyes was unnerving, her determination almost frightening.

“Just don’t do anything foolish,” Madeline warned. “Don’t do anything that could come back to bite us.”