Chapter 29
Chapter 29
The rich guy laughed along. “But Talia is hot. With that face and figure, she’d be a pleasure to have around the house, even just as a decoration.”
He flipped a card and said with a mix of humor and
seriousness, “If you guys don’t tie the knot, can you bear to let her marry someone else? Kendrick, you can fool us, but don’t lie to yourself.”
Kendrick’s face turned cold. “She has been through so much. You’re still into her?”
Seeing that everyone was interested, he felt a bit annoyed, but he still said, “Take her if you like her.”
The rich guy was taken aback. “Everyone knows Talia only has eyes for you. She has been following you around all these years. I don’t have that kind of luck.“”
Talia outside the door was stunned, and a bitter feeling surged up in her eyes.
Everyone in their circle knew she had a crush on Kendrick.
But he treated her feelings like dirt and gave her away like she was nothing.
It felt like the world was spinning out of control, and she could hardly breathe.
In a daze, Talia felt like she was back at the age of 14.
Ä
Chapter 29
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She was brought from her small county town to Maplehelm, where David enrolled her in the best private school, telling her to respect Valerie and behave.
But Valerie had never treated her like a younger sister. Instead, she led the other rich kids to leave her out.
At the age when Talia needed family and friends the most, she got locked in the bathroom and had cold water thrown at her.
It was a blizzard that day. She shivered all over in the cold and screamed herself hoarse.
Kendrick kicked open the bathroom door.
Even now, Talia still remembered that moment clearly.
Kendrick stood with one foot on the step, snow swirling all around him.
His black–and–white school uniform, unbuttoned, flapped in the wind, and his slightly damp bangs fell over his forehead. He looked so cool and confident.
“Here, take it,” he said, taking off his scarf and tossing it to
her.
From then on, 17–year–old Kendrick became the first ray of light in Talia’s life.
She became Kendrick’s shadow, following him for seven whole years.
But now, that light was shining on someone else.
It didn’t belong to her anymore.
Talia bit back the bitterness and made up her mind to leave.
Walking over to the window, she found an old number and dialed it.
The phone rang twice, and before the other person could pick up, someone called out to her from behind.
“Talia? You’re out of prison already after just a few years?”
Talia’s nose twitched. She hung up the phone and turned to look at the person.
Her mom Maeve Reed walked over, getting even more surprised. “When did you get out?”
The smile that Talia had managed to put on faded.
See?
Maeve remembered Valerie’s birthday but didn’t remember that her own daughter was getting out of prison today.
“You look so thin.” Maeve frowned and sized up Talia. “A little hardship isn’t bad. It makes you grow up. Don’t fight with Valerie and mess up the family peace. Your dad and I are past all that old stuff. Today’s your and Valerie’s birthday. Re a good girl, okay? Change into a dress and get downstairs to celebrate for her.”
Then she seemed to remember something. “Oh, right. Your room has been a card room while you’re away these three years. You can go change in Valerie’s room. I’ll send the dress
over.”
Talia got pushed into Valerie’s room. As soon as she walked in, the strong smell hit her and made her feel sick.
She rushed into the bathroom and retched.
Just then, there was some noise outside. The maid had
brought the dress.
Talia leaned over the sink, her eyes misty. Once she felt better from the nausea, she washed her face and went out.
The maid had been waiting in the room. When she saw Talia, she looked her up and down.
“I’m not pregnant,” Talia said, knowing what the maid was thinking. She had thrown up so hard that her eyes were red, making her look very weak. “Tell Valerie not to make a big deal out of this.”
The maid smiled awkwardly. “Oh, what’re you talking about? Please put on the dress. Madam Taylor is waiting.”
Talia didn’t say anything. This birthday party was for Valerie, and she was just there to play second fiddle.
She didn’t want to pretend to be chummy with Valerie while feeling sick, so she went to the kitchen and grabbed some food.
She had barely taken a few bites when there was a knock on
the door.
It was the same maid from before. “Madam Taylor needs you. Please go downstairs.””
Talia took her time swallowing the last bite before looking at the maid. “I’m not feeling well. I don’t want to go.”
The maid was taken aback. She didn’t expect Talia to say no. Her face turned serious. “Madam Taylor said it’s both your
Chapter 29
and Ms. Valerie’s birthday. If you don’t show up, it’ll look like you two aren’t on good terms. She also said that if you don’t behave, you can go back to prison for a few more years to learn some manners.”
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
