Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 427: Gaining An Ally

Chapter 427: Gaining An Ally

Talia’s birthday was nearing and she didn’t want to celebrate her birthday this year too as usual. Although she accepted all the facts, her birthday is still the day she killed Cyrus and she found it hard to celebrate her birthday.

Vivian and Cyril’s wedding was a week before Talia’s birthday and Marcella’s been nagging Talia to attend Vivian’s bachelorette party and so Talia decided to make a trip to Esteria and stay there until the wedding.

Before leaving for Esteria, Talia met with Sandy. The letter only contained Sandy’s wish to meet with Talia and Talia wanted to meet her.

Sandy wasn’t very talkative. The woman who used to have arrogance in her eyes looked meek now and her eyes looked puffy. Talia wondered if it was because she grieved for Ralph’s death.

"He was having this bracelet in his shirt pocket when we got him." Talia passed the beaded bracelet in the ziplock bag to Sandy.

Sandy’s eyes got teary seeing that bracelet. Ralph was allergic to gold and so she designed this silver beaded bracelet with a lion face as the centerpiece as their one-month anniversary gift.

"I didn’t know he still had it." Sandy traced her fingers over the plastic bag and her lips curved to a sweet smile.

Talia knew Sandy is reminiscing about her past with Ralph and watched her silently.

"Ameca mea, I did love you. But not more than my vendetta. I’m sorry..." Talia paused as tears streamed down Sandy’s face. "Those were his last words. After that-"

"I don’t want to know his last words and how his last moments were. I hate him and I am glad he’s gone." Sandy said rubbing her nose with the back of her hand.

Talia sighed as she can see Sandy is lying. One of the reasons she was curious to meet Sandy because she wanted to know her reaction to the death of Ralph.

From what Sandy spoke to Ralph, Talia could understand how much Sandy loved Ralph. So Talia wanted to know if Sandy has any resentments towards her for making Ralph suffer in his last moments.

Talia wanted to know if Sandy might become her potential enemy and hence she brought up this topic.

Sandy closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. As she exhaled slowly, she sat up straight, and opening her eyes, she looked Talia in the eye.

"I don’t want this," she pushed the bracelet back to Talia. "Leave it at his-" she paused but then continued. "Maybe you can leave it at his mother’s grave. I heard he did it all for her?"

Her voice was crisp and clear and her eyes were now determined. Talia got that back with a smile.

"I will do that."

Talia deliberated on erecting a tombstone for Ralph near his mother’s grave just for humane reasons, but then she decided not to.

Ralph will forever be erased from history and only the people from the underworld will know him as the ’Guy who got destroyed because he went against a Brunton’.

"Okay, I will do it." Talia got the bracelet back with a smile. Both of them then engaged in small talks. Talia expressed how much she admires Sandy making her blush. The topic then turned to their health.

Sandy wanted to know Talia’s experience with her kidnapping and Talia was not interested in giving out many details. Sandy was a smart woman and she didn’t push Talia to speak either.

Talia too didn’t ask about Sandy’s experience of getting affected by the drug and she just wished for a complete recovery of Sandy.

Both of them found themselves getting along pretty well. They didn’t have much in common that might lead to a closer friendship, but both of them had enough to get along.

"I wanted to meet you because I wanted to have a collaboration between our foundations in aiding Basmia."

"Oh, the Belfauger Foundation? We already received-"

"No, I am starting my foundation separate from the family foundation, named Gracewell Foundations. No, it is not to get a tax exemption, but I am thinking of modeling it like the Brunton Charity Works."

Sandy took a sip of tea. Her eyes glistened as she spoke further.

" I have worked for the better part of my adult life, making billions in a year adding to my family’s fortune. I am well-connected. But never once have I stopped and done anything to help anyone other than myself. I think of changing all that in my second chance of life. For that I need guidance and I came looking for you. I want to see how your charity operates so I can get an idea for mine. Will you help me?"

Talia smiled brightly seeing the curiosity in Sandy’s eyes. Sandy is older than her and definitely is smarter than her, but for her to come to her for help... Talia was touched.

"Of course! I am currently working on a mental health initiative in my country and after that, we will be planning on our work in Basmia. Our people can work together and we can come up with a better plan..."

Talia happily explained away. She now knew Sandy is really over Ralph and she doesn’t have to be wary of her.

Their talks lasted for a couple of hours and they developed a good rapport with each other. Both knew a collaborative project between a Belfauger and a Princess and also a Brunton, will bring a welcoming change in the lives of many.

As women who hold actual power and wealth, they can unite for uplifting other women who need help. They can bring real change.

Then the topic turned to Talia’s love life somehow.

"I’ve met Arthur Sinclair a couple of times and the last time he choked me," Sandy said with a chuckle and Talia gave an awkward grin.

That guy can’t hold his temper even with women...

"Did you come on to him?"

Talia asked. She remembered Jordan saying he did that to Sophia for the same reason.

"You aren’t that surprised as I wanted you to be," Sandy laughed."And now I am disappointed."

"He doesn’t like the touches of women other than me. He’s a puritan in that regard," Talia smiled widely.

She is proud of her Fred who is a faithful partner.

"I wish I find one like him," Sandy sighed as she got up. There was no jealousy in her voice; she just expressed her desire.

"You will. There are a lot of good men in this world." Talia spoke words of support. "And if you don’t mind, may I give a piece of advice?"

"Sure." Sandy who was about to leave turned and looked at Talia.

"Don’t do drugs anymore."

"Of course, that’s a given."

After giving a tight hug, Sandy left for her country.