Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 526

My scolding with unusual sharpness had Fidelia tremble with tears. She dropped to her knees with a thud. "Auntie Camilla, it's all my fault, please don't punish Monique, punish me instead!"

I caught Camilla stunned and sneaking a glance at my dark face.

I pointed at Fidelia, firm and unyielding, "Get up! Nothing grinds my gears more than kneeling!"

Both Fidelia and Camilla swallowed hard, mirroring each other's nervousness.

"Fidelia, a mistake is a mistake. Kneeling won't erase it. You need to truly understand your error. Stand up!"

Fidelia looked to Camilla, who twitched her lips awkwardly, not daring to make a peep. I immediately understood this was Camilla's version of punishment.

I glanced at Hannah, who promptly helped Fidelia to her feet.

"From now on, Fidelia, no more kneeling at the drop of a hat! Everyone deserves respect, including yourself. Don't devalue yourself by acting subservient! You're not in trouble for your free spirit, but for sneaking out in the dead of night, and not for using such tricks to get what you want!

You can speak your mind, make your wishes known, and stand your ground if you must. But don't resort to extreme measures against your family to get your way! You didn't even give your mother a chance to explain before you bolted, especially not at night. That's a double mistake!"

I laid out her errors, each word hitting its mark.

Camilla kept stealing glances at me.

I knew that I had challenged her approach to discipline today. Sure, her methods weren't necessarily wrong, but they weren't to my liking. I truly despised seeing others kneel without cause!

I took a deep breath, still stern, "You too, go to the bathroom in your room and reflect! Once you've thought it through, apologize sincerely to your mother."

Fidelia obediently nodded, "Yes!"

"Hannah, take them upstairs," I commanded.

Hannah, serious as ever, nodded and gestured for the girls to follow.

Perhaps being relieved to see Fidelia facing consequences, Monique didn't argue and dutifully headed upstairs.

My gaze then shifted to Probert, who stepped forward with sincerity, "Mom, I was wrong. I shouldn't have kept secrets and helped my sister deceive you!