Chapter 92 What Did You Say?
Michael glared at him angrily. “Your mother is still in the hospital. What do you want this time?” It was fortunate that his wife was saved, or he would have kicked Cedric out. Since he was his son, and his wife was already saved, he didn’t want to chastise him too much in case he got stressed out and did something stupid. If he were to be overwhelmed by guilt and cut himself or did something dangerous like drunk driving, he could get himself killed, and that would only devastate Michael. But he’s already back to his old ways just because I cut him some slack?
The mention of his ill mother made him freeze up, and he stared down at the ground. “Nothing, Dad.”
“Oh, I know what he’s thinking, Dad.” Madeline had come to the dining table and taken a seat. She smirked at Cedric and explained, “He’s thinking, ‘Wow, this Madeline is some shameless b*tch. Now that she knows she’s a part of our family, she wants to stay with us in case she misses out on our riches. If Dad and Mom are just paupers, she probably won’t want to admit that they’re her parents so easily. She says she’s here for a reunion, but in reality, she’s just trying to take advantage of us’.”
Cedric was red with anger. “What nonsense are you spouting, Madeline?”
Madeline smiled. “Cedric, you’re a man. If you did it, you’ll have to admit it. Are you sure that’s not what you have in mind?”
Cedric’s face got even redder. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out, for Madeline was right; that was what he was thinking. He thought Madeline only showed up and tried to butter up his father just because they were rich. If the Wendels were poor and powerless, she’d probably say that her parents had never raised her for a day in her life and stay away from them, quoting that they were not related to her. He had seen a lot of people like that before.
That was what he truly thought, but he felt embarrassed that Madeline said it out in front of everyone. He didn’t want to admit it, but Madeline said he wasn’t a man if he didn’t, and he couldn’t let that happen. He had always been stubborn and egotistical. If he denied his true thoughts, he would think he wasn’t man enough.
Michael took his silence as an admission, and he flew into a rage. He picked a plate up and hurled it to the floor. “What in God’s holy name are you thinking? How could you see your sister that way? Your sister is our child, just like you boys are. You’ve been enjoying the family’s love, wealth, and riches for more than twenty years, but what did she have?”
The more he said, the sadder he was, and he finally teared up. “What do you mean your sister wants to take advantage of us? She’s our daughter. She deserves a part of this wealth. If it weren’t for that witch, Cameron, she would be enjoying the same life you boys have for the last twenty years. But no. No, instead, her life was nothing but suffering!”
Michael’s heart hurt when he was reminded of Madeline’s suffering, and he choked up. “I failed my own daughter. I failed to protect her, and I’ve never even raised her. Now that I finally found her, you think she’s just a gold digger? Even if she is, she’s just eyeing my wealth, and I would give it to her gladly! What makes you think you have the right to slander her?”
Cedric was pale with guilt. “I did not slander her,” he defended himself.
“You can’t even think about it!” Michael’s voice was trembling. “Do you think we’re blind to what you did? Do you think nobody can see through you? Do you think you’re the only smart person here?”
Cedric opened his mouth, but he couldn’t say a word.
“Dad, Cedric didn’t mean it. He just got to a dead end, that’s all. Calm down. I’ll deal with this.” Jonathan went over and sat his father down on his seat. He poured Michael a glass of water and looked at Cedric. “Cedric, I know you’re uncomfortable that Maddie suddenly became our sister instead of Angie. I can understand that, but you can’t vent on her. She’s the victim here. You can’t blame her for taking Angie’s place when that place is hers to begin with. You understand that, right?”
Everyone’s eyes were on Cedric, as if he was being publicly prosecuted. He didn’t want to look at anyone, or perhaps he was too scared to do so. He hung his head low and stared at the ground, and he nodded.
Jonathan continued, “Just like what Dad said, Maddie is their child, just like you and I are. She’s a part of the family to begin with. Whatever we have, she should have them too, right?”
Cedric had no counterargument, and he nodded.
Jonathan said, “Since she’s Dad and Mom’s child just like we are, that makes her a part of the family. So why shouldn’t she come back and take her place with us? Isn’t that right?”
Cedric had nothing to say to that. He couldn’t possibly say that Madeline should never come home because she grew up without them. That was what he had in mind, but he knew that was wrong. If he actually said that, his father would kick him out of the house. All he could do was nod.
Jonathan looked at him and continued, “Cedric, don’t just nod at me. Answer me. Do you think Maddies’ right for coming back to us? To Dad and Mom? Or do you think she’s wrong? Do you think she should come back and get reunited with us or stay away and never see us again?”
Jonathan demanded an answer, and Cedric had no choice, so he said, “She should come back and get reunited with Dad and Mom.”
“I think so too.” Jonathan continued, “Maddie has no grudge against Dad and Mom. She never blamed them for their careless mistake that cost her dearly. Since they have no grudge between them, it’s normal for them to want to be reunited. Dad and Mom are happy that she came back to them. They would be devastated if she didn’t, however. Am I right, Cedric?”
“Yes.” Cedric was already numb from all the nodding.
“Good.” Jonathan nodded, and he looked at Cedric. “Since you think I’m right, and Dad and Mom will be happy that Maddie comes back for a reunion, why don’t you like her then? Why do you hate her? Why did you mock her because she came back for a reunion? Why are you looking down on her?”
