Chapter 13 The Argument Between Isabella and Me

Elena Romano's POV:

The doc checked me over.

The broken champagne glass had cut me up, and Isabella, who rushed over when she heard, looked like she was in shock.

Once the doc said there wouldn't be any scars, she finally relaxed.

I wanted to tell her these were just tiny scratches. When she first met me, the scars on my body were way worse.

Even the bruises from my last fall off the horse took forever to heal, even with the maids' help.

I spoke up, "I'm fine. I used to..."

"Listen, Elena." Isabella cut me off. She dismissed the doc and the maids, then looked at my scratches. "You can't get hurt, at least not in front of others. It would ruin the Garcia family's reputation."

"What does that mean?"

"A lady's skin should never have wounds. You must always look perfect."

Oh my God, what was she talking about?

Was my injury less important than looking perfect?

When I looked confused, Isabella rubbed her forehead. "No, I didn't mean it like that. Don't mind me, I was just too angry. Elena, do you know how important this banquet is for you?

Your father invited a ton of rich and powerful people for your return to the family. They came for the Garcia family, but you caused such a mess. You made the Garcia family a joke."

"But I didn't do it on purpose. Someone stepped on my dress," I argued loudly.

But Isabella just saw my excuse as more reason to be mad. "Elena, you've been away from the Garcia family too long. Look at how poor your previous education was. It's unbelievable. What did your foster parents teach you?

Are you avoiding your responsibility?"

I wasn't avoiding my responsibility.

Isabella's disappointed look made me tremble again, just like when I messed up at the banquet.

I didn't think my previous education was bad. Rosa taught me well.

Isabella didn't want to hear any explanations. She already thought everything was my fault, which made me sad.

"If you really think being away from the Garcia family for too long made me like this, then why didn't you bring me back earlier, Mom?

My foster mom never taught me to avoid responsibility. She taught me way better than you ever did." I changed how I addressed her, but it felt like a provocation, which I didn't mean.

I looked at Isabella, but she avoided my gaze. "When I fell at the banquet, why did you step back, Mom?"

"Do you expect me to smile at the banquet you ruined?" Isabella ignored my question. "Not only did you ruin the banquet, but everyone in the Garcia family will be affected by you, including your sister, yes, my Sofia!

Oh my God, do you know how much trouble you will bring to Sofia? Everyone will laugh at her for having a foolish sister."

"But I'm also your daughter, aren't I? Sofia is just your foster daughter. Why can't you worry about me like you worry about her?"

I didn't want to compare, but Isabella's attitude made it hard not to feel sad about how differently she treated me and Sofia.

I knew I wasn't as obedient or smart in Isabella's eyes, but did only excellent kids deserve love from their parents?

Hearing my words, Isabella's expression changed as she asked cautiously, "Who told you this?"

"What do you mean? That Sofia is the Garcia family's foster daughter? Everyone knows. Why can't I know?" I felt confused.

James walked in right then. He caught our conversation and looked annoyed with both of us. "Alright, enough arguing.

The guests are outside. Today's mess has already embarrassed the Garcia family enough.

Thank God I didn't invite any reporters. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened."

James turned to me. "Now, pull yourself together. The guests are still waiting for you to get back on stage.

You're a Garcia, so you know what that means. Take care of your responsibilities first.

Get on stage, apologize for your rudeness, and then say what I told you to say during practice.

Can you do that?"

I nodded.

James was definitely more rational than Isabella. He told me straight up what I needed to do, even though he didn't seem to care about what happened to me either.

I couldn't argue because I did mess up the banquet. Now, I had to minimize the damage.

I changed into another dress and had the maids redo my makeup and outfit.

Seeing the wounds on my body, I thought about my argument with Isabella.

I felt a bit of regret. She was my family, and maybe I shouldn't have been so impulsive.

I started to worry if my words had hurt Isabella.

When I was away from her, she also lost me. Maybe I shouldn't demand so much from her.

I put on a semi-transparent silk jacket that covered the scratches from the glass shards.

After getting ready, I went back to the banquet.

I apologized to the guests and hoped my little accident wasn't scarier than what they'd see on Halloween. Otherwise, I'd feel bad for ruining their fun.

It was a little joke, but it worked well.

I smoothly finished my speech and hoped every guest had a great time today.

After the banquet officially started, I did my best to behave properly.

I wished every guest well, whether they liked me or not, which made James and Isabella's expressions soften a bit.

Sofia showed up too. She explained why she disappeared. She went to call the family doctor but got delayed by our brother. "The maid said the family doctor already checked you out. Thank God, it was a disaster, but luckily you're okay, Elena."

"Thanks, Sofia."

Sofia's clothes were a bit messy, probably from running. I believed she wasn't lying.

"Mom and Dad didn't tell me about our brother. Is he home?"

"He likes to run around. Don't worry, you'll see him later." Sofia licked her lips, not wanting to talk much.

"I heard you were saved by a kind gentleman. Sounds like a fairy tale. Did you exchange names with him?"

"No, I didn't." I awkwardly told Sofia I didn't even see his face clearly. I only knew his name's vague pronunciation from the maid.

"What is his name?" Sofia seemed very eager.

"Mac? Something like that."

Sofia smiled after hearing that.

I thought she might know the guy, but she denied it.

I asked her if she had any guesses because she knew almost everyone at the banquet.

The guy's voice sounded very young.

"Elena, I'm not all-knowing." But Sofia was willing to think for me. Eventually, she narrowed her eyes as she looked at a young man standing by the terrace of the banquet hall. "Mac, maybe that's not his first name but his last name?

McDonald. Among the guests, there's someone whose last name starts with Mac."

Following her gaze, I saw a young man.

He raised his glass and gave a nervous smile when he saw us looking at him.

I looked at the suit jacket he was wearing, unsure if it was him.