She turned to Hutton, demanding, âHutton, is this what you told her?â
Panic flickered across Huttonâs face.
âI⦠uhâ¦â
Heâd spilled his guts to Taliyah in a drunken rant during their silent war yesterday.
Seeing Huttonâs guilty silence, Valeriaâs anger intensified, rendering her speechless.
Taliyahâs eyes gleamed as she continued, âI understand your whirlwind romance with Hutton lacked depth.
I didnât mean to meddle but Iâve seen Huttonâs misery lately.
He used to be a happy-go-lucky guy, but now heâs Like a grumpy old man.
Are you sure youâre a good match? Plus, youâre older than him.
Arenât you holding him back?â
Valeriaâs blood boiled at those words.
Rosalynn, nearby, couldnât take it anymore.
Her face turned to ice as she swung at Taliyahâs knee.
Taliyah hit the floor hard.
âYou flirt with married men and still act like youâre all saintly?â
Rosalynnâs eyes dripped with scorn.
Taliyah gasped in shock.
âWhy did you kick me?â
Trying to rise, Taliyah was shut down.
âStay put!â Rosalynn snapped.
Taliyah froze, feeling small, and glanced at Hutton for help.
âHutton!â
Rosalynn looked to Hutton.
âAre you going to stand up for her?â
Hutton was already angry with Taliyah and quickly denied, âOf course not.
â
Then he glared at her.
âHow dare you say those words to my wife? âI was just trying to help you out!â
âI didnât ask for it!â
Hutton sighed.
âTaliyah Finch, Iâve said it before-I see you as a friend and nothing more.
â
âYouâre lying! The look in your eyes says different,â Taliyah yelled.
âWhat look in my eyes? A look of disdain? Seriously, Taliyah, lay off the daydreams,â Hutton snapped.
âIâm not dreaming! Why did you talk to me so long yesterday if you didnât care?â
Hutton was frustrated.
âSometimes I just talk to my friends when Iâm down.
By your logic, does that mean Iâm in love with them too?â