Chapter 6
“Are you fucking serious? I studied massage therapy, got the damn certification, and now you’re telling me it doesn’t work?” Ramona spat out, her voice sharp with indignation.
“Kyla, look at her–so damn clueless and arrogant! She’s straight–up challenging my professional skills. It’s obvious she’s just here to stir shit up. Ramond wasn’t backing down, her anger intensifying. “We need to tell Eddie about this!”
“Mrs. Snyder, you said Miss Nguyen’s massage didn’t help. Could you explain exactly why?” Kyla asked, her voice calm but with a hard edge. If these are just baseless accusations and slander, I’ll report everything to Mr. Snyder and let him deal with
Ramona’s smug grin appeared the moment she heard this. She was sure that Eddie, who practically adored Clifford, would lose it if he found out the bride meant to bring good fortune was screwing everything up. Talia would be kicked out of the Snyder family in no time.
As Ramona was busy fantasizing about Talia’s downfall, Talia calmly responded, much to everyone’s surprise. “Oh, I’ve got my reasons, alright.”
“Kyla, you’re the heart of the Snyder family, so I’m sure you’re aware of Clifford’s current condition.” She gestured towards Clifford’s frail body. “Look at him–his muscles are wasting away, his weight’s dropping like crazy, and his skin’s pale as a ghost. It’s clear that in the last few months, everything–the diet the care, and those so–called expert massages–hasn’t done
shit.”
Ramona snapped first, her voice full of venom. That’s bullshit Clifford’s in a coma from severe injuries. He’s on external nutrition and isn’t able to move. Of course, his body’s deteriorating. Anyone with half a brain knows that. What the hell do you know?”
“Kyla, she’s clearly trying to make trouble, Ramona insisted, pissed off.
Talia’s eyes narrowed, and her voice was cold but firm. If we keep going like this, his condition will only get worse. Her tone sharpened with urgency. “If we actually care about him, we need to rethink everything and find something that really works
Ramona shot back immediately, “Our care plan was put together by professionals. There’s no way it’s wrong. Kyla, stop wasting time on her and just tell Eddie everything”
Kyla, who had watched Clifford grow up and desperately wanted to see him recover, couldn’t ignore the fact that Talia’s concerns weren’t without merit. Clifford’s condition had taken a turn for the worse, and it was becoming harder to deny,
I’ll talk to Mr. Snyder myself. He’ll decide what to do next,” Kyla finally said.
Still unwilling to let it go, Ramona pressed, “Kyla, what about today’s massage for Clifford?”
“We’ll hold off until I’ve talked to Mr. Snyder, she replied.
“But-
Without another word, Kyla turned on her heel and left the roomL
Ramona’s gaze shot daggers at Talia, her thoughts dark and vengeful. Just wait. You’re gonna pay for this,’ she thought.
Talia could see right through it–Ramona wasn’t just some cous passing through. She had her sights set on Clifford, and she was scheming, plain and simple.
Talia had one rule; as long as she was around, no woman–cous or not–was getting near her man.
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Chapter 6
“We’ve got the marriage certificate now; he’s mine, conscious or not, she thought smugly.
She sauntered over to where Clifford lay unconscious on the bed and flashed a possessive smile. In a soft, teasing tone, she murmured, “Well, babe, time for a massage. I’ll make you feel real good, trust me
Without a second thought, she yanked the thin blanket off him, tripping away his clothes in a swift, practiced motion. Only his underwear stayed on, barely covering what needed covering
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she looked him over. “Babe, I’m here,” she whispered to herself. “And since you’re not putting up a fight, I’ll take that as a big ol’ yes.”
The steady smack of her hips against his skin filled the room, each sound louder than the last.
Maids passing by froze at the unmistakable noise. Their faces flushed, hearts racing, and one of them darted off, too flustered to stick around for whatever was going down in there.
Jesus, screwing in broad daylight? That’s fucking desperate, someone muttered.
“Poor Mr. Snyder, out cold, can’t even say no to… that,” another voice cut in, dripping with pity and disgust.
“That’s just savage.”
“Fucking brutal.”
Meanwhile, the second Ramona stepped into Eddie’s line of sight, the tears were already flowing. She played up the earlier “attack milking it for all it was worth.
“Eddie, you’ve gotta do something! Talia hit me! Look at my hand, it’s all swollen and red. It hurts like hell!” she cried out.
Eddie, lounging back in his chair, cracked an eye open, his voice dripping with disinterest. “What exactly happened?” he asked.
Ramona kept sobbing. “She wouldn’t even let me massage Clifford and then she just hit me!”
At that point, Kyla stepped in, her voice calm and measured. “Mr. Snyder, Mrs. Snyder’s worried about Clifford’s muscle atrophy. She suggested changing his care routine to keep things from getting worse.”
Tm worried about Clifford too, which is why I came to speak with you, Kyla added diplomatically
Eddie, always sharp when it came to Clifford’s health, knew all about the muscle atrophy. It was why he’d let Ramona give Clifford massages in the first place.
“Eddie, Talia doesn’t know a damn thing about this. She’s just getting in the way. Her sticking around isn’t helping my cousin recover at all, Ramona pressed on, her voice practically dripping venom. And that fortune–teller crap? Come on, none of
that’s real.”
Hanley quietly cleared his throat. “Mr. Snyder, maybe it’d be best to hear Mrs. Snyder’s side of things directly,” he suggested.
Eddie nodded slightly, considering the advice, his face giving nothing away.
Hanley quickly ordered a servant to go get Talia
In the bathroom, Clifford was completely submerged in the spacious tub, Sweat still dotted his forehead, a clear sign of their recent “intense activity. His usually pale face was now flushed, giving him a healthier glow than usual
Talia stood under the shower, enjoying the cold water washing over her skin, cooling her down. With Clifford passed out, she didn’t feel the need to rush, taking her time to wash away the heat and exhaustion.
A knock came at the door.
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Chapter 6
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to see you,” a servant called softly from outside.
“Mrs, Snyder, Mr. Eddie Snyder wants to se
“Got it, I’ll be out once I’m done here,” Talia replied, her tone casual.
The servant glanced at the empty bed and suddenly blurted out Mrs. Snyder, where’s Mr. Snyder? He’s not here!”
By the time she asked, Talia was already dressed and heading to the wardrobe. “He’s in the tub,” she said nonchalantly,
“What? Are you kidding me?” The servant, clearly panicking, rushed into the bathroom to check. Sure enough, there he was, lying in the tub, his face red from the hot water.
“Mrs. Snyder, you can’t be serious! The doctor said no baths! How could you let this happen?” The servant’s voice was Trembling with panic. I’ll go get someone to help lift him out,”
“No need,” Talin said, already grabbing a clean set of Clifford’s pajamas, her face cool and collected. I’ll take care of it.”
Mrs. Snyder, please let me help! Mr. Snyder weighs over a hundred pounds! What if you can’t hold him? He could get hurt!” the servant pleaded, clearly worried.
But Talia didn’t say a word. Instead, she walked straight into the bathroom, and with ease that left the servant speechless, she lifted Clifford out of the water, steady as a rock,
She dried him off and quickly dressed him in clean pajamas, moving with an almost practiced efficiency.
From the doorway, the servant stood, still hearing the faint sound of water and turned around. What she saw made her jaw drop–Talia, small and delicate as she looked, was holding Clifford like he weighed nothing, laying him onto the bed with smooth, effortless movements.
The servant rubbed her eyes in disbelief. “No way. This can’t be real, she muttered, completely stunned by Talia’s unexpected strength
Talia looked down at Clifford’s flushed face, a satisfied simile tugging at her lips. “You’ll sleep like a baby tonight,” she whispered softly.
Then, without missing a beat, she turned to the still–dumbfounded servant and said, “Well, since Mr. Snyder’s waiting for me, let’s not drag this out. Let’s go.
