Talitha was not being her usual self and Hardy knew that she was holding a grudge against him. He had done dirty to her after all. He was confident to turn things around as he had already planned things ahead. Talitha was nevertheless a foolish and naive person. Hardy was feeling optimistic for Talitha in lending him a helping hand as long as she was still in love with him.
Hardy replied with a regretful look on his face, “Talitha, I have something important to tell you.”
“Really? What is it then?” Talitha queried in a calm manner.
“Talitha, you are aware of Natasya’s incident, right?”
“Yes, of course. I know that she is already gone. She passed away yesterday,” Talitha replied calmly and there was no trace of sorrow on her face.
“I request you to meet with me as I would like to talk about her. Talitha, I am the one who had caused her to be met with such a tragedy.”
“Is that so? Aren’t you in love with her? Why would you plot against her?” Talitha asked while suppressing the irritated feeling towards him.
“Nope, I am not interested in your sister. Talitha, I have no feelings towards her at all. I truly despise her a lot. To be honest, you are the one who had taken my heart away but I was, unfortunately, being controlled by your sister. I couldn’t break free from her as she is such a cunning and vicious person. She had been manipulating me all this while. I had enough of Natasya when she chose to get rid of our child in your belly. It was exactly that moment I decided to mess with her.”
Hardy knew that it was not possible for Talitha and Natasya to make amends with each other. Talitha was not devastated by the loss of her sister. Hence, Hardy knew that she hated Natasya to the very core.
He needed to blame it all on Natasya as she was already dead. He deliberately mentioned the baby just to be seen as a team with Talitha despite knowing that he was not the father of the child. He wanted to manipulate her into thinking that he had feelings for her just to achieve his objective.
Talitha almost burst into laughter upon hearing about it. Was she that brainless in the eyes of Hardy?
She had gone all out in deceiving Hardy in the past. He was used to enjoying her performance despite knowing her ulterior motives. However, what goes around comes around. It was finally time for Talitha to be the spectator instead of a performer.
She followed his flow and asked, “Are you implying that this is a revenge plan as payback to mess with our child?”
“Yes, you’re absolutely right. I also did this just to get rid of Natasya as I want you to become my wife instead of her. Talitha, I am so sorry! I truly apologize for breaking your heart last time. I was not being my usual self and you have to believe me. I was not capable of thinking straight as I was being controlled by Natasya. It was never my intention to hurt you and I have chosen you as my wife deep down in my heart. We would have been married long ago if it weren’t for Natasya ruining things between us.”
Talitha was utterly disgusted upon hearing how Hardy was being so affectionate towards her. “Is this the so-called important stuff that you would like to tell me about?”
Hardy was slightly panicked as she seem to be indifferent. “Talitha, are you still holding a grudge against me?”
“What? Why would you think so? Of course not! I truthfully don’t despise you at all!” Talitha smiled and continued speaking in a casual manner, “I am actually mad at myself!”
“Talitha, but…” Talitha immediately interrupted him, “Hardy, do you know why I would agree to pay you a visit?”
“Nope. Care to enlighten me?”
“I am curious what you would say to me. I am looking forward to the tricks that you have under your sleeve. It looks like you are still as despicable and shameless as before. You don’t even regret the things that you have done in the past. I am at ease upon seeing you being caught in such a mess.”
Talitha took a deep breath and continued, “Hardy, do you know how would I describe you as? Your outfit is messy and you look utterly haggard. You remind me of a stray dog. Yes, you heard me right. This nickname suits you so well!”
Hardy had a displeased look on his face upon hearing about it. He was aware that he was in an embarrassing situation. However, he did not expect Talitha to call him a stray dog, which was an outrageous nickname.
Talitha decided to go all-out, “Hardy, I shall admit that I used to have feelings for you and made a fool of myself just to win your heart. I used to think that it was true love but I have finally changed my mind after thinking things through. I was so into you as you are the son of the Anthony family. You are also the district president of Acma Corporation. I was naive to believe that there would be a luxurious life waiting for me after I have married you. You are now at the bottom of the social class. What else is there for me to be attracted to you? Why should I be so kind-hearted in lending you a helping hand?”
“Who said so? Everything will be back to normal once I walk free. I am still the son of the Anthony family as well as the president of Acma Corporation!” Hardy was not ready to give up and snapped back.
“Are you sure that you can be released from prison?” Talitha asked.
“Of course. Why would I instruct the lawyer to bring you here then? Talitha, I can be bailed out as long as you agree in representing the Anderson family to write a dispute settlement agreement for me.”
“Your objective is just to persuade me in writing the said letter, right?” Talitha finally realized how Hardy was planning to take advantage of her.
“Of course not. I would also want to admit my love for you. I’m sorry for treating you poorly in the past! Talitha, I can build up my empire once again as long as you assist me to avoid jail time. I promise to take your hand in marriage. I am happy to write it down in black and white if you are feeling skeptical about it!”
“Are you intending to marry me and have it jot down on paper? Take a good look at yourself now. It looks like you have racked your brain just to beg me for mercy. Don’t you have any other way out?”
Talitha chuckled and continued speaking, “Hardy, do you honestly think that I am absolutely naive and brainless? How would you be so confident that I would have a change of mind upon hearing you spew nonsense? You have played your cards wrongly! I refuse to lend you a helping hand!”
“It was a mistake for our lives to be intertwined from the very beginning. I got pregnant via IVF treatment just to lock you up beside me. You were well aware that the baby does not belong to you. Why would you make such a fuss and deliberately talk about the child? You were the one who hinted Natasya to get rid of the baby in my belly. I have known how cruel Natasya is since a long time ago. What makes you think that you are much better than her? You claimed to seek revenge for our child. You are the mastermind behind my miscarriage, arent you? How could you have the guts to use the baby as your triumph card?”
“You have known about this matter long ago? Who told you about such a secret?” Hardy’s face was as pale as a ghost.
“I can always come to self-realization, can’t I? I have been thinking things through these few days. I have been met with trouble due to the greed and stupidity within me. I am willing to bear the consequences. My parents, Declan, and Natasya had gotten a taste of their own medicine because of their viciousness. On the other hand, I am still well and alive as I am not as cruel as them. I am here just to see how foolish I was just to win you over last time. Hardy, it’s time for us to part ways. We shall be strangers from now onwards!”
Talitha stood up and was prepared to leave after saying her words. Hardy screamed desperately, “Talitha, are you really choosing to be so heartless towards me?”
“Of course. Why should I make my life so complicated once again? Hardy, I know what is going on in your mind. You have the same personality as Natasya. I will be digging my own grave should I agree to help you out. I don’t intend to end my life in your hands. Hence, all your efforts will be going down the drain real soon! Hardy, it’s time for you to be excited about your prison life! I hope that the law is true and fair to let you rot in jail!”
Talitha replied and left without looking back. There were a few noises emerging behind her and she speculated that Hardy had made a ruckus. She did not bother to take a peek as it had nothing to do with her anymore!