Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 151: Actions Speak Louder

Chapter 151: Actions Speak Louder

As Olivia pleasured Jared, she spoke words filled with falsehood and made the ego of the stupid Prince rise higher. She needed him to think of himself as better than who he is. Only then she could use his power to do what she wanted. She wanted a powerful slave to do her bidding.

She needs to bring down the Northern Star so that Talia is left with no support in Esteria. As she thought about what Jared said, she wondered.

How is he going to remove Talia from the Royal family of Rosandale who supports her? Is that why he needs me in The throne of Esteria?

Now I understand!

---

Talia scrolled through the comments to the article written about her and was surprised actually she has gained some support. Actually it seemed like Lynette McAllister, Jordan’s eldest sister and also the Defence Minister of Esteria spoke how refusing the Visa for Talia is immoral and illegal. She had also blamed the High Council for having hidden agendas to stop a granddaughter from meeting her grandfather.

With opposition to the High Council rising and the mistrust about their decisions growing, people naturally scrutinise every decision the Council makes and in a way oppose them. So some younger generation people started to sway to the side of Talia along with many older generation who loved Jerome Brunton. Talia also gained some supporters simply because she was beautiful.

But as that positive article about her gained traction, another article dropped from the tabloid that obviously hated Talia. They said that Talia brought trouble to an unsuspecting town ’Wolfpine’ because of her infamous luck.

Monster - they called me monster again!

Talia felt a sharp pain in her heart reading that article. She just switched off her phone and went out to have a nice walk. She didn’t want to read the comments and spoil her mood. It is better not to read those comments and worry about the opinions of people who don’t even know her.

Mr. Ed told her that she would be leaving for the Capital City to meet with King Louis and the Queen Consort who are arriving for the signing of the Free Trade Deal between A Country and Rosandale the next day.

When Talia talked about her departure with Rebecca’s family, Rebecca wanted to go with Talia too. Joe’s opinion was not even heard. Sally was worried that if it would be okay for Rebecca to travel this frequently when she is in the first trimester but Rebecca insisted on going with Talia.

’I want to meet Cordelia! It’s been years!’ Rebecca didn’t back off. In the end, Rebecca’s family half-heartedly agreed to let Rebecca leave.

Joe wanted to talk to Rebecca in private and Rebecca agreed.

Inside the room, warmed with radiator Rebecca sat comfortably in her bed while Joe out of nervousness opted to stand by the door.

"Becky... Why...? Why are we like this? Why can’t we live happily together like before? I... I’ve hurt you physically before when my drug addiction acted up and you stayed with me during those dark times. And now... I’ve in a respectable position in this world where I’m worth something. But why are you not with me now, Becky? " Joe asked,his voice shaking.

Rebecca looked at Joe looking unkempt with a stubble in his face and his hair looked all greasy. Even the shirt he was wearing looked dirty and she was sure he smelled.

He is still staying here for my sake! He ignited his personal hygiene to find a way to convince me!

She rubbed her forehead. She really cannot bear to see him like that. And the tone of voice he used, like a hurt little boy... She just wanted to go with him just to make him happy. But...

"Are you willing to tell me what I need to know?" Rebecca asked frankly. She is old and mature enough to know that if they don’t resolve the issue about Rachel between them, it will surface again and again and eventually strain their relationship more and more. She tried to not worry about it for the past few months already and she really couldn’t convince herself anymore and that’s why she left him. She didn’t want to compromise again.

"Becky... Sweetheart..." Joe walked to Rebecca and knelt in front on her and placed his hands on her knees. "I’m telling you there is nothing between me and Rachel. Sure we dated before, but now -"

"Then are you willing to get rid of her? Will you fire her and not contact her again?" Rebecca asked, this time she really controlled herself to be patient.

"Why should I?" Joe’s voice had a confrontational tone. " She’s my... friend and she is valuable to our firm. Becky why should you be this unreasonable?"

Rebecca smiled dryly as the warmth she felt on her knees because of his hands, leaving her as if he really didn’t want to be away from Rachel, but was willing to push her away. She wanted to cry; to scream at him, but she controlled herself.

Joe stood up and walked to the window, running his finger through his hair. He really didn’t know how he will explain to his wife that Rachel and he, can never be together.

"I won’t give you such an ultimatum, Joe. I have friends and I won’t lose them if you force me to either. But...if any of my friends hurt you, I will not hesitate to keep my distance from them, Joe. Can’t you understand? We are married! For us, each of us should be the top priority. We should be our very best friends first. We should be the A-team. We cannot put another person in between us, we cannot prioritise others, even if it is our kid! " Rebecca expressed her thoughts.

" You’re right, Becky! That’s how it should be. But..." Joe sat beside Rebecca and held her hand, "You are the one bringing Rachel between us. Not me!"

As he spoke he felt Rebecca trying to pull out her hand out of his grip but he tightened his grip and continued, "In my heart, no one can take the place you have dear. Not by a long shot.You know how I was when I met you Becky...." he interlocked his fingers with hers and held her hand over his heart, "I was a mess.... a lowlife. You made a man out of me. You’re high up in my heart, Becky... So high no one else can even get close to you. You are an amazing woman, Becky and I’m in awe with your strength. So why lower yourself to Rachel and pit yourself against her?"

Rebecca’s eyes focused on Joe speaking with utmost sincerity. There wasn’t a trace of dishonesty in his eyes and his warm hands holding hers did feel comfortable.

But he doesn’t even realise what he is doing is he? And Rachel is using that.

" I don’t want to pit against Rachel, Joe. She’s the one dragging me to her level. She keeps telling me that she wants-"

"Becky please..." Joe interjected her and let go of her hand, "I asked Rachel about what you said and she was completely oblivious as to why you are accusing her of such vile thoughts! She considers me a friend too, Becky. This is preposterous! " he sounded angry.

Rebecca bowed her head and looked at her empty hands. Her heart felt like it was stabbed hearing what he said.

He just said that he trusts Rachel more than me, didn’t he?

Her eyes clouded and she knew her tears would drop once more. It seemed like no matter how much tears she shed, her situation is not going to change. So why cry, right?

"Did you hear what you just said, Joe?" Rebecca stood up holding back her tears, " You just said you believe Rachel’s words over mine," Rebecca snorted and a drop of tear dropped on her hand.

"Becky... I..." Joe tried to explain, it seeing the hurtful expression in Rebecca’s face, he was despaired.

" Joe, I want to trust you. I want to believe your words. But how can I when your actions say otherwise? Talia still tells me-"

"Talia? Just ’cause you now got a powerful friend by your side, you’re going to abandon me?" Joe said out of anger and only after he said it he realised what a blunder he committed and his face played and his throat burned as it dried.

He just accused his wife of using him for his name and power!

"Becky, I’m sorry. I..." he tried to hold her hand, but she avoided his hands.

"Yes, Joe. I am a social climber like your mother accuses me of. What do you want me to do, Joe? You’ll use you power against me and put me in the federal watch list and I should run back to you with my tail between my legs and lick your shoes for acceptance? Fat chance! For now, I’m using Talia since she has more power and afterwards I might find someone more powerful to further my position. You’re a hindrance to my plans and so I’ll send you the papers and we can settle everything amicably. You can leave now. If you want to decide the terms, contact me through my lawyer! "

Rebecca fuming with anger, spoke without even taking a breath and opened her bedroom door. It is one thing if his mother says something... But for him to imply the same... She really didn’t want to talk to him further.

" Clint! Throw him out! Daddy! I don’t want to see his face ever again!!" Rebecca screamed and pushed Joe out of her room and locked the door.

Joe who was about to knock the door was threatened by the sound of shotguns cocking and he could feel the situation escalating. Talia stood between Rebecca’s father and Joe as he tried to shoot him hearing Joe’s plea to let him stay for longer.

Words were exchanged and sparks flew between the caring father and Joe and in the end Joe had to leave.

Talia saw the way Rebecca’s father stood for her and got surprised. The other times he didn’t talk much and he seemed to be this guy who didn’t care for anything. He always seemed so calm and collected.

But once he heard his daughter’s hurt voice, Talia saw the anger rising in his face and if he wasn’t stopped, he could have really murdered Joe.

’I promised you that I’d kill you if you hurt my daughter before walking her down the aisle! So how dare you hurt her! Let me kill him!’ he shouted and Rebecca’s mother had to interfere and pulled him to the bedroom while Clint escorted Joe out.

Talia’s bodyguards surrounded her to protect herself in the midst of this domestic dispute.

The love of a father, huh?

Talia thought. All her memories about her father were him being drunk and he’d be mumbling something or picking fights with someone.

She didn’t remember her father ever sitting beside her and spend time with her after her mother died. She did live in S Country after her mother died, but even when she came home for holidays, she rarely met her father.

But oddly she never missed her father. Was it because of Cyrus? He took the role of a father for me.

Hmm... Cyrus! He really was like a father to me.

Cyrus is no more... My father’s no more...

Talia became depressed. But then another question popped in her mind.

Who’d walk me down the aisle?

Grandpa?

But grandpa is sick! If something happens to him, I will have no one to walk me down the aisle?

Talia felt her heart engulfed by sadness,but then she decided to put her thoughts in the back burner and check up on Rebecca first. She might be crying.