Chapter 2
“Who the fuck do you think you are, trying to slap me?” Talia snapped, catching Sirena’s hand with ease before it could even
come close.
With a swift twist of her wrist. Sirena lost her balance and stumbled back, hitting the floor hard. Pain flashed across her face as she gasped, “Shit, that hurt!”
Sandra had been standing there, frozen in shock, but finally snapped out of it and rushed forward, panic all over her face. She dropped to her knees beside Sirena, carefully helping her sit up, her voice shaking. Talia, if you’re pissed, take it out on me. Just don’t hurt Mom anymore, alright?”
Tears filled Sandra’s eyes as she turned toward Sirena, choking out, “Mom, are you alright?”
Sirena whimpered, her whole body trembling as she broke into soft sobs, looking utterly defeated.
Rolf, who had been watching in angry silence, suddenly exploded. He shot up from his seat, his face twisted with rage. “You ungrateful linle brat! How fucking dare you hit my wife? What kind of daughter pulls crap like that? What the hell did I do to deserve this!”
His words hit Talia like a slap in the face, dredging up a lifetime of hurt. She glared at him, her eyes cold and unflinching. silently asking herself how she ended up with a father like him:
“If you hate me that much, then fine. I’m out of here, she muttered, her voice low but determined as she turned toward the door
Sandra’s heart skipped a beat, panic flooding her: She knew how important the marriage alliance with the Snyder family was, especially with Mr. Snyder breathing down their necks. If Talia left now, Rolf would cave under the pressure and probably force her to marry Clifford–the man stuck in a coma. That would ruin her entire life.
Tears streaming down her face, Sandra ran after her. Talia, please don’t go!” she begged, her voice cracking.
She turned to Rolf, desperation in every word, “Dad, talk to her! She’s been through enough. We can’t let her leave like this. If it comes to that, I’ll marry into the Snyder family. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the family safe.”
Rolf’s hard expression softened as he heard Sandra’s plea. He walked over, gently helping both Sirena and Sandra to their feet, brushing away their tears
He said gently, “Sandra, don’t cry. You’re my baby girl. I would never let you sacrifice yourself like that. I’ll handle this. Now take your mother upstairs and let her rest, alright?”
Sandra and Sirena exchanged a look, their eyes full of unspoken understanding, before quietly heading upstairs.
Holf’s eyes darkened as he watched Talia heading for the door, anger simmering beneath the surface.
“Don’t you dare walk out that door! Sit down–we’re not finished here!” he shouted after her.
Talia didn’t even bother turning around. Her voice was cold as in “If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out and make it quick”
Her tone was like a razor, sharp enough to cut. Rolf felt a wave of anger st
swell inside him, but he swallowed it back.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to stay calm. “As part of this family, you’ve enjoyed all the privileges that come with being a Blake. So when the family’s in trouble, it’s only fair you step up and share the load.”
Talia let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Tve been back for, what, a month? Compared to the rest of you, I’ve barely seen any of those so–called privileges. So why the hell should I be the one to fix everything?”
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Chapter 2
Since she returned, Talia’s sharp tongue had stirred up endless fights in the family. No matter what came her way, she faced it head–on, never backing down.
Rolf could see he wasn’t getting anywhere with this approach. He tried a different tactic, softening his tone.
He looked right at her, frustration and a touch of desperation in his eyes. “Alright, what’s it gonna take for you to even consider this marriage alliance with the Snyders? You know damn well this is a rare chance. If we piss them off, the Blake family’s stability is shot, and trust me, no one’s walking away unscathed.”
Out of Rolf’s sight, a slow, calculating smile crept onto Talia’s face. This was the moment she’d been waiting for, the one she’d carefully set up from the start.
In her mind, if she hadn’t sacrificed back then. Rolf never would’ve had the damn chance to run off with Sandra, and the Blakes wouldn’t be sitting so pretty right now.
Now, it was time to collect. Everything they owe me, I’m taking it all back, Talia vowed silently, ready to make her move.
