Chapter 4
Talia’s lips twisted into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She usually flipped through of gifts, taking her time with
list
each one before nodding, clearly pleased.
Her gaze shifted to the Blake family, and a smirk tugged at her lips. Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “So, it’s my wedding, but somehow the engagement gift ends up with you guys? Dad, what is this, an auction? You selling me off to the highest bidder?”
The room instantly grew heavy with tension.
Rolf’s face turned beet red with anger, but with Hanley watching closely, he had no choice but to rein it in, pretending to keep his cool.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but his voice still shook with frustration. Talia, you gotta get this. We gave you three million dollars. It’s tradition–engagement gifts go to your family. So don’t give me that crap.
Sirena jumped in, her voice sharp. “Exactly! We already gave you three million. The Snyder family’s gift is just payback for what we’ve done.
Sandra’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Talia, you know how hard it was for us to scrape that money together. Dad worked himself half to death. Can’t you show a little understanding?”
Talia let out a soft, bitter laugh, thinking to herself that if it weren’t for this marriage, they probably wouldn’t have seen a
cent
She then turned to Hanley, her voice calm but probing, “Mr. Armstrong, let me ask you something. Is this engagement gift really supposed to go to my family, all of it?”
Hanley, completely unaware of the deeper game, assumed Talia was just being greedy. Pretty face, ugly heart, he thought.
amused
Keeping his expression unreadable, Hanley answered, “Mr. Snyder made it clear. The engagement gift is for the bride’s family. No exceptions.
Rolf’s face lit up, a cocky smile spreading across his lips.
“You hear that? Mr. Armstrong confirmed it. The gift belongs to the bride’s family. End of story, he declared, full of himself.
Sirena and Sandra exchanged triumphant looks, their eyes full of disdain as they stared Talia down.
Everyone in the room expected Talia to back down and hand over the engagement gift, but her next words hit them like a grenade, blasting the silence wide open.
Talia smiled, her voice cold as ice. Fine then, I’m officially cutting ties with the Blake family. From now on, I’m done with all of you.
No family, no reason to give them anything.
Even Hanley, who was usually calm and collected, looked stunned. His eyebrows drew together as he stared at the young bride. Silently, he couldn’t help but admire her fierce resolve.
Walking away from her family over money? That took some serious guts, he thought.
“Did you seriously just fucking say that?” Rolf was seething, barely able to keep his temper in check. “How the hell can you talk like that about an engagement gifil His hands were trembling his voice a mix of shock and rage.
“How… How the hell did I end up raising a daughter like you?” His voice cracked with pain, barely able to get the words out.
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Chapter 4
Sirena’s face darkened, and she snapped, “Talia, your dad’s health is already shot, and you’re still pushing him like this? What, you want him to drop dead right here?
Sandra quickly jumped in, trying to ease the tension. “Talia, you’re really hurting Dad. Just say you’re sorry, please.” While she spoke, she subtly stepped back, pretending in get water for Rolf, but in reality, she was pulling out her phone to call her brothers.
“Erasmus, shit’s hitting the fan! Talia’s talking about cutting ties over the damn engagement gift. You need to come back now!” she said, panic clear in every word.
“What the hell?! I’m on my way. This is bullshit,” Rasmus fired back, his anger obvious even through the text.
In the living room, Talia’s voice was calm but cold. “I walked away from this family when I was five. As for why… let’s just say it’s something every single one of you should be ashamed of: A brief flash of bitterness darkened her expression, “I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
Rolf’s anger wavered, his face twisting into something more conflicted, like he’d just been slapped with a harsh reality. “But… we are still your family. You can’t just cut that out, no matter what went down.”
Talia let out a low, bitter laugh, fully aware that without the engagement gift, Rolf wouldn’t have spewed half those lofty promises.
She scanned the room. her gaze cutting like a knife. “Come on, be real. All these years, who here has ever actually treated me like family? Who gave a damn about me?”
“Not one of your she snapped, answering her own question
“I don’t need this bullshit family. And I sure as hell don’t need a lather like you,” she said, her voice hard and unyielding.
You’re not worth it.”
With that, she gathered up the heavy train of her wedding dress turned sharply on her heel, and walked out of the house. head held high. She didn’t look back–not once–leaving behind nothing but the echo of her own fierce independence
Sirena was freaking out, clutching Rolf’s arm, her voice shaky with desperation. “Honey, this is bad. She took the damn engagement gift! What the hell are we supposed to do?”
Rolf was completely at a loss. Talia was stubborn as hell, and trying to reason with her was a waste of time. Feeling helpless, he turned to Hanley, hoping for some kind of solution.
“Mr. Armstrong, I’m sorry about all this… She… Rolf trailed off, frustration in his voice. “She took the engagement gift. What do you think we should do?”
Hanley had seen enough family drama to know when to steer clear. “Mr. Blake, I’m really sorry, but I’m just the help. Family Issues like this? It’s not my place to get involved,” he said, keeping his tone respectful but firm. He bowed slightly, excusing himself.
“My work here is done. Goodbye. With that, Armstrong turned and walked out, not a care in the world.
Sirena’s anxiety deepened, her face a picture of frustration and helplessness. “Why does everyone keep walking out on us like that?” she muttered, turning to Rolf with wide eyes. “Honey, what the hell do we do now?”
Rolf’s brow was furrowed in frustration, but there was no way he was giving up that damn engagement gift from the Snyder family. “I’ll go after her. I’ll get that gift back, no matter what,” he said, determination in his voice, storming out of the house.
But by the time he got to the door, panting, the car was already gone. Defeated, Rolf trudged back inside, feeling utterly drained.
“She’s gone,” he admitted, shaking his head in frustration.
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Chapter 4
Sirena’s heart sank, the weight of the situation nearly knocking the air out of her. “What now? She didn’t just take off with three million dollars, she took the damn engagement gift, too! This loss is unreal,” she said, bitterness creeping into her
voice.
Still, she tried to hold onto some sliver of hope. “At least if Sand can avoid this marriage, that’s something, right?” she murmured, trying to calm herself down.
Rolf squeezed her hand, his voice steady. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure out a way to get that money back from her, one way or another
In the car, Talia glanced at the engagement gift list and the three–million–dollar check in her hand, a sly smile creeping onto her face.
The Snyder family’s generosity was off the charts: over twenty million in cash, a half–billion–dollar Koenigsegg, a mansion worth millions in the heart of the city, and a collection of luxury jewelry that could make anyone’s head spin.
This ridiculous fortune only solidified her decision to take care of her sick fiancé, no matter what. With a gift like this, she knew exactly what was expected of her–and she was ready to step up.
In the sprawling Snyder family castle nestled on the mountainside, Eddie Snyder sat quietly in the shadows. His hair was streaked with gray, and deep wrinkles carved lines into his weathered face, marking the years he had lived. But his eyes- those sharp, tired eyes–were filled with worry.
When Talia stepped into view, his expression remained stoic. He studied the young woman in front of him, sizing her up in
silence.
He did think Talia was really pretty, but after hearing Hanley call her greedy, his opinion of her tanked. He figured she was never satisfied and probably a bit restless.
Still, petty judgments didn’t matter–not when his grandson’s life hung in the balance.
“What’s your name?” Eddie asked, his voice gravelly, straight to the point.
Talia Blake, she answered, her tone calm.
Eddie nodded slowly, though his thoughts seemed elsewhere. Talia. It means ‘dew from God or ‘morning dew Life, hope, new beginnings.. Sounds fitting. He was clearly hoping Talia would be the one to save Clifford.
Hanley stepped forward, handing a document to Talia. “Mrs. Snyder, here’s your marriage certificate. All the property arrangements have been notarized. As for the wedding ceremony, considering Mr. Snyder’s health, we won’t be holding one. I trust you understand.
Talia gave a brief nod, about to say something when Eddie, leaning on his cane, spoke again. His movements were slow, but his tone left no room for debate. Tm tired. Hanley will handle the rest. And with that, he turned and shuffled out of the
toomi.
“Mrs. Snyder, this way, please. I’ll take you to Mr. Snyder,” Hanley said, motioning for her to follow.
They walked down the hall to a lavish bedroom, every inch of it reflecting the finest craftsmanship money could buy.
“Mrs. Snyder, now that you and Mr. Snyder are married, it’s tradition for you to share a room, Hanley explained, remembering how the fortune teller insisted they live together if you need anything or feel uncomfortable, just let me know
After he left, Talia stepped into the room. Despite the room’s extravagant design, it felt cold, almost like time had slowed to
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Chapter 4
Her eyes instinctively searched for the room’s true master, Clifford. The main thing on her mind was figuring out the mystery behind the man Sandra had endlessly praised as a “living god.”
When her gaze finally landed on Clifford’s sleeping face. Talia froze, like she’d been hit with some sort of spell.
Yeah. Sandra wasn’t kidding. The man was drop–dead gorgeous, with features that were almost too perfect to be real. Even unconscious, his presence was magnetic–it was impossible to look away.
But then, the shock turned into something bigger. Talia couldn’t stop herself from blurting out, “Are you fucking kidding me? Why is it you?”
18
