The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2836
The two locked in an embrace. Their eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
“Thank you, Imogen. Do you have any idea how thrilled I am?” Francis whispered an emotional voice.
Imogen’s eyes mirrored the sentiment. “We finally have a child of our own, Francis. Our little miracle that we’ve waited for so
long.”
Regina watched them coldly from her bed. Even Madeline, caught up in the moment, hugged her mother tightly. “Mom, Dad,
pretty soon we’ll welcome our little brother. The Tanner family will be more complete.”
Suddenly, Francis pulled back, as if struck by a new thought. Wiping away a rogue tear from such an expected surprise, he said
with a smile, “Or maybe a little sister. Boy or girl, I’ll treasure them just the same.”
Imogen nodded, her eyes wet with joy. “Our precious little one.”
But the trio had forgotten Regina, lying there sick.
Francis got carried away in his excitement without his eldest daughter in his mind.
Imogen and Madeline, of course, deliberately excluded her. When the family huddled together, Madeline threw a glance at
Regina that seemed to say, “Look! This is what a real family looks like.”
Unbeknownst to them, Regina had grown past the stage of crying for her father’s attention years ago.
A sudden gasp from Regina broke the moment. “Ah-” She grimaced in pain, Francis to turn his attention to his eldest.
“What’s wrong? Dizzy again? I told you not to get up so fast. Lie back down; yo weak. Once the house is ready, I’ll come to get
you.”
Despite her pallor, Regina managed a weak smile. “Dad, I haven’t congratulated y new life you’re about to welcome.”
Francis felt a twinge of guilt. “No matter how many children I have, you’ll always be precious firstborn.”
Regina nodded. “Dad, I’d like to rest a bit more. Why don’t you accompany Imogen for checkup? At her age, having a baby isn’t
child’s play.”

The words struck a chord with Francis. “You’re right. We can’t take any risk with Imoge age. When we get home, I’ll have the
family doctor stay with us to look after her. But you’re ill now, so please don’t worry about anyone else. Rest, and we won’t
disturb you further.”
With a final pat on Regina’s head, Francis left with Imogen and Madeline, leaving Regina alone in the quiet of her room, a respite
from her stepmother and stepsister’s presence. She knew her father had always wanted a son. It was surprising that Imogen,
after all these years, was pregnant at last.
Regina’s gaze fell to her phone as she sent a message to Nolan. She needed to understand what had happened that day.
Nolan’s call came swiftly, as if he had been waiting for her messag
Regina didn’t know what to say after the incident happened, and Nolan too spoke nothing. Silence stretched between them on
the line.
Finally, Nolan’s deep voice broke the stillness. Why so quiet?”
His voice sent a shiver through Regina as if she’d been gently electrified.
“You saved me.” she whispered.