Lea looked defiant. âDad, Iâm not making this up. I really found the woman who saved Mom. Sophia is doubting me, so why should I apologize? You always favor her, and now youâre joining her in bullying me too?! Hmph! If it werenât for Momâs affection for you, I wouldnât even acknowledge you as my dad!â
Thaddeusâs face darkened at his youngest daughterâs outburst. âYouâ¦â
Bertha laid a hand on her daughterâs shoulder. âLea, how could you talk to your father like that?â
Lea didnât argue with her mother, but she clenched her jaw and refused to back down His daughterâs stubborn stance made Thaddeus feel a bit nostalgic. She was as headstrong as he had been at her age, and it softened his irritation. He sighed and offered a compromise.
âAlright, I admit I was too hasty earlier. Your mother and I will go upstairs to meet this woman. If she truly is the woman who saved your mother, both Sophia and I will apologize to you. However, if we find that this woman is not reliable, you must apologize to your sister. Is that fair?â
Lea was stubborn, but she agreed. âFine! I guarantee that once you meet this good lady, youâll be absolutely certain itâs her.â
Thaddeus stood and straightened his tie. His tone was teasing. âWell then, why donât you lead us upstairs to meet our savior?â
Lea crossed her arms as her face went pink with anger. âYou guys donât believe me, so I wonât take you. Sheâs in the âGreen Water suite upstairs. Go find her yourself!â
Thaddeus couldnât help but laugh at his daughterâs temper. She was just like him when he was young.
Bertha, however, looked concerned. âStay here and eat your meal with your sister and brother-in-law.
No more running around!â
Lea huffed and returned to her seat, picking up her fork. âFine, Iâm hungry anyway.â
Bertha sighed and looked at her husband. âLetâs go upstairs and find this woman. Maybe Lea really did find the woman who saved me.â
Thaddeus nodded and wrapped his arm around his wifeâs shoulder. âAlright, letâs go.â
And so, Thaddeus and Bertha went upstairs to find the mysterious woman who had once saved Berthaâs life.
Sophia watched her parents leave, and then her gaze shifted to Lea, who looked smug. Something felt off, so she stood. âMarcus, stay here with Tristan and Lea. Iâm going to go upstairs with Bertha and my dad. I donât trust that woman.â
Marcus, uninterested in Sophiaâs family drama, nodded and continued to serve food to his son.
Sophia glared at Lea and hurried upstairs after her parents.
Now, only Marcus was left at the table with two children of different ages.
Without Sophia around, Adrian looked more relaxed. He gave Lea a questioning look, asking if she had really found his mom.
Lea responded with a slight nod.