The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2917
In a household that seemed more like a battleground than a home, Imogen soldiered on day after day, enduring it all for the sake
of her daughter, Madeline. She had thought about running away with Madeline, but the thought of the repercussions-harsher
beatings that left her with no strength to fight back or run again-kept her from acting on
Imogen never anticipated Domingo’s departure to be so abrupt. It was as if he had a sudden epiphany, taking all the cash from
their home and vanishing from their lives without a trace.
At times, Imogen wondered if Domingo had ended up dead in some forgotten alleyway. Otherwise, why would he leave them
alone so easily?
Only now that she thought about it, she knew he was probably out there, mingling with the wrong crowd, fighting over territories
like some street thug.
Imogen had no respect for Domingo’s way of life, relying on brute force for money. refused to touch a dime of the money he
made through violence. The last time she reached out to him was out of desperation, trying to deal with Regina’s antics, but even
then, the cunning girl managed to slip away.
Domingo had tried calling a few times after that, but Imogen never picked up. She didn’t want to give him any false hope of
rekindling their broken relationship.
For Domingo, it was a chapter of his youth he was ready to close. But for Imogen, it wa nightmare she never wanted to revisit.
“Imogen? Imogen?” Regina called out several times before Imogen snapped back to reality. “Oh, what’s up?”
Francis looked concerned. “Are you feeling alright? You didn’t respond when I called you just now. I was worried something had
happened to you.”
Imogen managed a weak smile. “I probably just didn’t sleep well last night.”
Hearing that Imogen had a rough night, Francis immediately got up from the table, abandoning his meal to assist her. “Let’s get
you upstairs to rest, and I’ll call a doctor over to check on you.”
“It’s nothing serious, really. Just a bad night’s sleep. I couldn’t even finish my dinner,” Imogen tried to reassure them.

Regina detected the sweetness in her words. Despite everything, she had to admit her father had a way with expecting mothers,
imagining how excited he must have been when waiting for her birth. Yet, now, the family dynamic had changed so drastically.
In moments like these, Regina missed Nolan profoundly. His presence alone was enough to comfort her, no words needed.
But one thing was clear during the meal; Domingo still had a significant hold over Imogen. Just the mention of his name was
enough to distract her, a stark contrast to the facade she usually maintained.
Lately, Madeline had been sneaking out frequently, hinting at something amiss, which didn’t escape Regina’s notice.
Just then, as if on cue, Nolan called.
Regina answered with a smile, greeted by Nolan’s somewhat aloof voice, “Haven’t finished the meal yet?”
Glancing at the deserted dinner table, she replied with a hint of playfulness, “I’m not sure if it’s finished or not, but I’m the only
one left here.”
Nolan frowned and asked, “What happened? They can’t even stay to have a meal with you now?”
“It’s not that. Imogen suddenly mentioned she didn’t sleep well last night, and my dad, worried about the baby, left his meal to
take her upstairs for rest, even calling the family doctor.”
Francis scoffed lightly, “Seems like your father really cares about the child Imogen is carrying.”
Regina nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Dad’s been hoping for a son.
Nolan couldn’t understand the old man’s fixation with having a son, nor why these o men placed so much importance on the
child’s gender.