But right now, Regina had none of the arrogance she once wore so proudly. She looked a mess-disheveled, beaten down by life.
They say your surroundings can change you.
They can lift you up high, but just as easily, they can drag you into the dirt.
Once upon a time, Regina couldn''t stand the sight of Ste-always looking down
on her for being the Quinns'' adopted daughter, always trying to step on her, whether it was out in the open or behind her back.
But now, the way she looked at Ste was filled with nothing but anger and resentment...
This was the first time Ste had seen Regina since that whole mess three years ago.
Their eyes met.
Regina red at Ste like she wanted to bite her head off.
Lottie, standing to the side, clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Seems like your years in prison didn''t teach you a damn thing, Regina."
Regina froze.
The second she heard Lottie''s voice, it was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over her.
When the butler led her in, all she''d seen was Ste-she hadn''t even noticed anyone else. Now, Lottie''s words snapped her out of it, and in a split second, she hid every emotion that had been written all over her face.
"Ms. Lottie," Regina said, her tone suddenly respectful.
She knew all too well that it was the Quinns who''dnded her in prison for three years, but she didn''t dare show even a sliver of resentment in front of Lottie.
The woman was terrifying, her methods ruthless.
In all that time, not even Regina''s own mother hade to visit her in jail.
She never imagined that the first time she''d see the sun again, it would be because of the very woman who''d orchestrated her downfall.
For the first time, Regina realized that her hatred for Ste was almost nothingpared to how much she envied her. With a foster mother like Lottie, Ste was better off than Regina had ever been, even with her own mom.
The thought barely crossed Regina''s mind before she suddenly dropped to her knees.
“Ms. Lottie, please, I''m begging you-let me go. What happened three years ago,
it was all my fault. I was young and stupid, I made Ms. Quinn angry. I''m sorry." Ste: "..."
Lottie: "..."
The two women shared a nce, both frowning.
Apologizing the moment she walked in? So what about that positive pregnancy test...?
Before Lottie could finish the thought, her phone buzzed loudly.
She nced at the caller ID, her face instantly changing.
"Ste."
"Yes, Mom?"
"You ask her yourself." Lottie''s tone softened as she turned to Ste.
Clearly, she had to leave.
Ste nodded obediently. "Alright."<fn5f95> The rightful source is find~novel</fn5f95>
Lottie stood, her gaze sharp as she stared Regina down.
Regina happened to meet her eyes, and saw clearly the warning shining in Lottie''s stare.
Just one look, and Lottie turned away, walking out without another word.
Now it was just Ste and Regina, with the butler and two maids standing by.
Even without Lottie in the room, Regina didn''t dare make a scene.
Ste looked over at Regina.
Regina''s voice was shaky as she finally spoke. "Why am I even here today?"
There was bitterness in her
words after all that anger and resentment, what she felt most now
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She never imagined she''d be brought out of prison like this.
Ste nced at the thing Regina had thrown at Melissa earlier.
"You''re pregnant?" Ste asked straight out.
Regina: "What?"
Her eyes went wide, staring at Ste in shock.
"What are you even talking about?"
Pregnant? Was Ste trying to humiliate her?
Every flicker of emotion, every shift in Regina''s eyes, Ste noticed.
Clearly... she wasn''t.
In the end, Ste just waved a hand. "Take her away."
There was nothing left to ask.
Regina realized Ste hadn''t even
spoken more than a few words to et
her, and now that "take her awe made her heart leap into her throat. s?novels
"No! I''m not going back there! I want tago hotel Regina shouted, ber voice desperate and angry C belongs to s