Chapter 1712: Chapter 1712

Bertha was speechless.

Lea leaned in. “Dad, you can’t blame Mom for misunderstanding you. I’ve always thought you favored Sophia too.”

Thaddeus lifted his head to look at his younger daughter. “You ungrateful child, doesn’t your father cherish you?”

Lea put down her half-eaten slice of pizza and crossed her arms. “You do, but only when Sophia isn’t around. The moment Sophia shows up, she just has to say a few words, and you’re putty in her hands.”

Thaddeus knew that there were times when he did favor Sophia, but it was out of guilt because of Sophia’s mother’s passing, not because he loved one daughter more than the other.

“Lea, how could you accuse your sister of stirring up trouble? Sophia may be a bit headstrong, but she’s not doing it on purpose. Don’t you ever talk about your sister like that again!”

Upon hearing her father sternly trying to correct her, Lea rolled her eyes. “See! There you go again, Dad. You always fail to see the truth. The moment I say something about Sophia, you don’t want to hear it. Don’t you see that she’s been utterly spoiled by your doting?”

Bertha patted her daughter. “Alright, Lea. That’s enough.”

Lea pouted as she obeyed her mother and took a seat.

Thaddeus turned to his wife. “Bertha, can we go home now? You know I love both our children equally.”

Bertha looked at him. Her eyes were now devoid of their initial resentment, replaced by a mix of complex emotions and slight guilt.

“Thaddeus, I’m touched by how thoughtful you are towards Lea. I was wrong to have misunderstood you.”

Thaddeus heaved a sigh of relief. “Then pack up and let’s head home.”

He reached out to hold his wife’s hand.

But Bertha still refused his touch and shook her head at him. “I’ve given it a lot of thought these past few days. Even if this misunderstanding is cleared up, nothing will, change if I take Lea back home with you. It’ll be the same old story.

Sophia will still refuse to accept Lea and me. You’ll still be caught in the middle and get torn between us. It’s exhausting for you and for me.

Maybe we should just call it quits. I want Lea’s childhood to be simple and carefree. As for the businesses you’ve covertly invested in for Lea, knowing that you care is enough for us. In the future, you can give it all to Sophia or even donate it; it’s entirely up to you. Lea and I won’t be going back with you.”

Thaddeus was puzzled. He couldn’t understand why his wife still refused to return with him, even after everything was explained.

“Bertha, if there’s something you’re still unhappy about, just tell me. Don’t be like this.”

Bertha shook her head. “There’s nothing I’m unhappy about.”

Indeed, there was nothing left. The only barrier between them was his elder daughter, Sophia. A barrier that was impossible to eliminate.

Over the years, they had countless arguments due to Sophia’s meddling.

She was genuinely tired of it all.

Being a stepmother wasn’t easy. She couldn’t reprimand the child, yet she didn’t receive any gratitude either.

She’d rather live with Lea on her own without having to cater to Sophia’s whims.

Thaddeus frowned. “Bertha! What exactly do you want me to do?”

“You don’t need to do anything for me anymore. I believe it’s best for both of us if we part ways.”