The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Regina, I just didn’t think the portrait was fitting anymore, so I had the servants take it down. The house is full of people now, and it just seems odd to have a family portrait of you three when we have guests over. It sends the wrong message, you know? I talked it over with your father before doing anything, and he agreed with me.”

Imogen’s smug look made Regina’s skin crawl.

“His agreement doesn’t matter. I don’t agree! Where is my painting?”

Imogen waved a dismissive hand, her arrogance unwavering. “Oh, the servants must have stashed it away somewhere after I instructed them to remove it. Who knows where it is now? The painting has lost its relevance, hasn’t it?”

The gleam in her eye was nothing short of provocative, her implications clear as day – a jab at the fact that Regina’s mother was no longer with them.

Regina’s hand itched to slap Imogen to make her pay, but she held back, clenching her fist instead and storming off to find the butler.

Once Regina was out of earshot, Imogen patted her chest, whispering, “Lord, that was terrifying. She nearly hit me. I thought she’d gone mad.”

Just then, Madeline stumbled down from the second floor, rubbing her eyes. “Mom, what was all that noise about? I was trying to sleep, and you woke me up. Can’t you keep it down?”

Upon seeing Madeline, Imogen quickly ushered her back to her room.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Go on, back to your room. Regina’s painting has gone missing, and heaven knows w kind of scene she’ll cause. Better to stay out of her way!”

Madeline perked up at the mention of Regina’s return. “She’s back, huh? The nerve of h after everything she’s done. Fighting over a man with her own sister? All this fuss over painting… Honestly, it’s disgraceful. She even tried to seduce Nolan! Mom, you’ve got to make sure Dad sets him up with me. I’ve got my eye on him. Next time it comes up, you better speak up for me. Don’t let Dad think about pairing him off with Regina.”

Imogen almost wanted to gag Madeline with her disbelief, “Good heavens, girl, you think too highly of yourself. Nolan might not even fancy Regina, let alone you.”

Madeline scoffed at Regina’s skepticism. “I’m young and pretty. Why wouldn’t he be nterested in me? Just make sure you s my praises to Dad, that’s all. Don’t let him. match Nolan with Regina.”

Imogen eyed her daughter warily. “Why are you so sure Dad’s planning to set Nolan up with Regina? I doubt Nolan’s interested in anyone, frankly.”

Madeline’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Because I’m certain of it. Just do as I say, and if I end up becoming Mrs. Harris, you’ll be living in luxury for the rest of your days!”

“Oh, spare me the fairy tales.”

“Don’t be a nonbeliever now, Mom. When the time is right, I’ll let you in on it.”

Seeing her daughter’s confidence, Imogen reluctantly nodded. If by some chance it did happen, wouldn’t she become Nolan’s mother-in-law?

That fortune would be far greater than being a mere Mrs. Tanner.

“Alright, I promise. Now go back upstairs before that lunatic latches onto you.”

Before Imogen could finish her sentence, a cold voice from behind asked, “Who are you calling a lunatic?”

Regina stood there, fists clenched, trembling from head to toe. And still, she hadn’t found the painting.