Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 293: The One Who Lied

Chapter 293: The One Who Lied

They were brought to the inner drawing hall where Roderick, Emma, Carl and Catherine were already there.

Talia greeted them with a smile. This was the first time she was seeing Emily this close up and the dimple in her cheek when she smiled was so pretty.

Carl gave a firm handshake and Catherine was shy to get close to Talia since she was a stranger. Talia noticed the hairband Catherine wore and smiled realising Roderick didn’t exaggerate when he said that Catherine never parts with that hairband. It was cute to watch the little girl trying to hide behind her father’s legs.

"Go on, greet her. She’s the one who gifted you the hairband you are wearing. Say thank you." Roderick pushed her to the front.

"Do you like it?" Talia squatted to get in level with the child. "Do you like the hairband or the necklace better?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Catherine cozied up to Talia soon after she brought up her favourite accessory. Carl and Arthur had started to play wrestling. Soon Roderick joined them and Talia realised why Arthur didn’t bother to brush his hair properly. He didn’t want to wear a suit jacket either.

So it is for this reason?

Within five minutes of entering his home, he already looked unkempt with his wrinkled shirt and dishevelled hair.

Talia felt warm as Gregory talked to her fondly about some general things. Emily joined too and Catherine sat silently beside Talia.

"I heard Fredrick gave you his mother’s bracelet?" Gregory asked and Talia nodded.

"Yes, I was delighted to get it. I promise I’ll treasure it." Talia answered politely. Somehow talking to him, Talia felt like she had forgotten how she acts polite. She was too nervous, she felt like every word she spoke was wrong.

"Ah, what’s the use locking it in a safe? Wear it often... Genny.... She loved you even when she’s seen you only in papers. She even bought a gift for your christening, but..." Gregory’s face looked awkward and Talia bowed her head awkwardly too.

The Sinclair family probably wasn’t invited for her birthday..

Seeing Talia bowing her head, Gregory felt bad. He wasn’t trying to make her feel embarrassed. Everyone knows about the situation between the two families in the past. He wasn’t allowed to invite the Brunton family for any of his sons’ birthdays or christenings either. cleared is throat and spoke in a cheery voice. "She’d be happy you have one of her favourite jewels." Gregory said with a smile and Talia nodded.

At that time a maid walked in and passed everyone a drink. Talia before getting the glass, looked up to thank the maid. But her hands shook when she saw the woman.

Is she still here?

Her entire body felt like it was being pinched as she remembered that day. Even after ten years that women still looked the same and for Talia it seemed like she had the same snarky smile full of evil.

"... No thanks, I’ll-" Talia’s voice shook and her fingers felt painful as she retracted her hand and her heart started to race out of fear.

Arthur was playing with Roderick and Carl, but his concentration was on Talia. He was happy to see her getting along with his sister-in-law and also he was touched to see how his father really accepted her.

Talia’s change in expression after seeing the maid was not unnoticed by him. She really seemed frightened of that maid.

*clang*

The glass tipped on the tray spilling some of the sparkling wine on Talia’s dress.

"Why, young miss! Can’t you be careful? See you’ve spoilt everything now..."

The maid’s voice turned high pitched as if she was concerned.

"Im sorry... I’ll go wash up first..." Talia said with her usual polite smile and got up. She was sure she didn’t push the glass down, but maybe she was too engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t notice? Talia was unsure and she took it upon herself this time.

Arthur stood up immediately. " I’ll show you the powder room." Arthur held her hand and walked her out of the room.

"Master... You shouldn’t have to treat that Brunton scum for dinner. She-"

"Wilma!" Gregory interrupted the maid. " She is the one my son likes."

"But... How is she any better than Lady Sophia? This one can’t even handle a glass. How is she suitable for the great Boswell family?" the maid didn’t back down and she walked to Gregory. "You know my my master would be rolling in the grave seeing his son and his grandson bringing in that shameless-"

"Wilma! This is it! You can retire for the day. Leave!" Gregory spoke in a strict tone and the maid left the room, mumbling and complaining.

"Why are you employing her still, dad? You know she was very loyal to grandpa and she liked Ray and... uncle better. She barely borne me, but didn’t like Arthur and would scold him for silly reasons..." Roderick took a sip of the cocktail from his glass.

Gregory only sighed. She was one of his father’s mistress whom he treated like a doormat and yet this woman is still stupidly loyal to him. He pitied her and so he is employing her still.

In the washroom., Arthur entered without any reluctance and locked the door. Talia knew that he had noted her odd behavior.

"That day... She was the one who dressed me in that awful white dress and all the while she was... She told me that my life would be hell now that I’m going to marry Ray and that she liked to watch me suffer since I was a Brunton..." Talia purposefully hid the fact that Wilma hit and pinched her while she was dressing her. She knew if she said it Arthur migjt turn a murderer once more.

" Oh... Dear me! " Arthur hugged her. " So that’s why you didn’t look to your side".

Because you were made to believe that it was Ray, you searched everywhere else for me, except to your side... What a twisted fate!

"I’m fine... Fred..." Talia patted his back as she couldn’t breath by how tight Arthur was holding her.

"I’ll send her away. Don’t worry. " Arthur kissed her head.

Talia refused since it won’t be polite to order around the staff of other people. "It’s fine. I was overwhelmed since I was blindsided by her. I’m fine now."

When Talia and Arthur went back to the room, nothing felt odd and they joined conversations. That maid was no where to be found and Talia relaxed.

Roderick started mocking Arthur for not meaning Talia even when she visits the washroom and Arthur couldn’t find much words to refute him.

One of the staff came and informed that the table is set for dinner and they can start their meal. After tacitly sending the kids away First, Roderick spoke.

"Dad, we all are supposed to meet next week for mum’s birthday. Why did you arrange this sudden dinner?"

"It would be inconvenient next week," Gregory said stretching his hands and Talia watched everyone getting surprised.

Arthur who was sitting beside Talia, couldn’t hold back his thoughts. "You’re finding it inconvenient to celebrate ma’s birthday?"

Gregory’s face stiffened and the silence in the room became so overbearing.

"I’m doing an angioplasty surgery tomorrow. It was supposed to be a secret to the public but I wanted to tell you guys nonetheless." Gregory said it all in one breath as if he was letting it all out.

"Angio-? Dad, since when did you have a bad heart? What... What is going on?" Roderick freaked out and Emily held his hand. She was petrified by this announcement too.

"Angioplasty? So it is not major blockage, right? It isn’t that serious? If the blockages are serious the doctors would have suggested a by-pass surgery, right?" Arthur held Talia’s hand. Although his voice shook, he seemed a little more composed than Roderick. But only Talia could feel how cold it was.

"Yes, it is nothing actually. No major arteries are blocked and there is a 56 percentage blockage in one branch and 69 in a capillary. So it really is not that bad." Gregory answered.

"Who is performing the surgery? Is he... Should I get a better one?" Arthur went on with his questions.