The Day I Kissed An Older Man by Cher the Cherished

Chapter 2726
"Karen consulted with me before changing that painting, and I think it's right to change it too. After all, there are four people living
in the house now, right? It's not very considerate to hang that painting in the hall, especially to your stepmom. What if someone
sees it? Won't they gossip about our family? So I think her suggestion makes a lot of sense. Besides, you can hang that painting
in your room, right? I remember your room doesn't have any paintings."
Vince's open agreement with Karen to change the painting made Rita even more heartbroken.
It showed that his first wife had become a thing of the past for him, and Rita was the only one who still missed her late mother.
"Don't you understand what I'm saying? The painting's gone, and I can't find it! Even if Mom is gone, you can't just forget
everything about the past. That painting is of you, me, and Mom! How could you be so heartless to let that woman change the
painting?"
Vince's expression darkened. He hated it the most when other people said he did not care about his late wife, especially when
he married Karen not long after his first wife passed away. It was one thing for others to say it, but how could his own daughter
call him heartless as well? He was only trying to give her a complete family.
"So what if it's missing? It's only a painting, not worth much anyway," said Vince ruthlessly. He even stood a bit away from Rita,
devoid of the affectionate father he had just portrayed.
"There are some things I didn't want to say because I thought you were grown up, but I never expected you to still be so childish.
It's only natural for your stepmom to want to change that painting. It's been so many years since your mom has passed away.
You should learn to accept reality. She's never going to come back, no matter how much you throw a tantrum."
Rita's heart sank.
"What do you mean by that? I'm not a child anymore. Of course I know Mom's never coming back, but can't I even keep any
memories of her? Did I object when you said you wanted to marry Karen? You told me you did it for me, but have you ever
thought that I don't need anyone to replace Mom? You've always been so selfish. Why don't you just say you did it for yourself,
rather than saying it's for me? And now that you have a new family, I bet you can't wait to marry me off, am I right? I should've
known. You've always been like that!"
"How dare you!" Vince erupted in anger, glaring at his daughter. He suddenly found her strangely unfamiliar, realizing she had
grown up without him even noticing.

Her defiant stance, with her head held high, confronting him, reminded him of someone. Eventually, he lowered his raised hand.
"You've truly disappointed me!" he exclaimed.
"You've disappointed me too," Rita cried out. "You're not a good father."
Since no one was helping her find the painting, she decided to do it herself.
Thunder roared, and it started pouring rain outside. Seeing Rita rush into the rain like that, Vince followed after her for a few
paces before ultimately stopping.
"You need to experience some hardship to appreciate just how good you have it with me providing everything for you," he
muttered. He clenched his fists tightly as his gaze followed Rita.
Donna Reeds, who served as their cook, emerged with tears in her eyes. She was deeply worried about Rita.