Feigning ignorance, Salma asked, âTavon, what did Ashley mean by that? Isnât the house for Ana?â
âItâs for Ana. Donât listen to Ashleyâs nonsense.â Tavon was in a tricky situation, unable to appease either woman. To keep Salma and Ana, he had to lie, âPick any furniture you like here.â
âTavon,â Ashley tugged at Tavon and said in frustration. âIâm your wife. If you spend a penny on Salma, Iâll divorce you right away.â
Salma, feigning hurt, said, âWhen I met Tavon, you werenât in the picture. You interfered in our relationship, caused him to be separated from us. He left me and our daughter behind. Now he is trying to make up for it, and you canât stand it. Who should I seek justice from for the past twenty years Iâve raised our daughter alone?â Salma was a master of passive aggression, drawing Tavon into the argument.
Ashley, originally seen as the victim, was now perceived as the home-wrecker, making the gossip even juicier.
Tavon was also surprised at how organized Salmaâs thoughts had become and that she was arguing with Ashley. Not only Tavon, but even Anastasia, waiting outside the store, was taken aback.
Anastasia, Flynn, and Dailey were following behind, each holding a cup of smoothie, watching the drama unfold through the glass doors of the furniture store. Flynn asked, âShouldnât you step in when your mom is getting bullied?â
Anastasia calmly replied, âIâm her daughter. If I step in, itâll change the dynamics. Let mom vent for a bit.â
Dailey took a sip of his smoothie and said, âThis is pretty good.â
Anastasia directed, âYou two, go inside and support my mom from the crowd.â
Flynn immediately understood, âWe need to sway public opinion.â
They couldnât let Salma be slandered. Daileyâs skills would be useful if needed.
Now, both of them completely followed Anastasiaâs orders. When she spoke, the two of them, holding their smoothie in one hand and their other hand in their pockets, casually went in as if they were just bystanders in the crowd.
Ashley, provoked by Salma, retorted, âYou gold-digger, you were the one who pursued Tavon. You were after the Morton familyâs money. You deserved all that.â âI didnât know whether Tavon was rich or poor when I met him.â Salma looked at Tavon and said to Ashley, âIf you donât believe it, ask him. He said that he wanted to marry me, and it was you who pressured him into marrying you. Thatâs when he abandoned my daughter and me. I never married in my life and raised our daughter without any support. I didnât reach out to you. Now, itâs you who have come to us, wanting to make amends for us.â
Tavon, fearing his past would be dragged up, quickly interrupted, âAshley, go home. Donât make a scene. Itâs only right that I buy some things for Salma and Ana.â
Flynn, blending into the crowd, defended Salma, âOld lady, your own husband admitted that heâs been unfair to this woman. She raised her daughter alone, it wasnât easy. She never asked anything from you. Now your husbandâs conscience has kicked in, and he wants to make amends. Youâre just a home-wrecker, being petty.â
Flynn then complimented Tavon, âMan, it seems like you had quite the romantic adventures when you were younger. Poor woman here had it tough, so you canât be unfair to her.â
Dailey chimed in from another side of the crowd, âWhy make life difficult for another woman? Youâve had an easy life. This woman had it tough. She had been with him through hard times. A man could never betray women like that.â
With Flynn and Dailey guiding the crowdâs opinion, the onlookers started criticizing Ashley for being too harsh.
Salma spotted Flynn in the crowd and was momentarily stunned. Although she didnât know when he had came, she knew she had to prétend not to know him.
Unable to withstand the public attention and criticism, Ashley turned red with anger and shouted at Tavon, âSo, Tavon, youâve been fooling me all along. You say Ana should donate her marrow to Sandy, but you just wanted to bring them here so you could play happy families, huh? Youâve got it all figured out.â
Tavon was exasperated, âWhat the hell are you talking about?â
Salma knew what Tavon was thinking, but she had to play along. She looked at Tavon, feigning belief, and said, âTavon would never use Anaâs marrow to save Sandy. He said he would find another way. Ana has no obligation to donate. And besides, thereâs no guarantee Anaâs marrow would match Sandyâs. Tavon said he wanted to take care of me and Ana and make up for what he did.â
Salma wasnât mistaken, Tavon had indeed deceived her with that exact words. In doing so, Tavon wouldnât suspect that Salma was doing it on purpose.
Upon hearing this, Ashley immediately accused Tavon of duping her. She lashed out at him, âTavon, you ungrateful wretch! I shouldâve known better than to trust you. I knew it! You praise that girl in front of me, and you want to leave all the familyâs wealth to Anastasia, donât you?â
âWhat are you talking about. Tavon was utterly flabbergasted.
Before he could finish, Flynn chimed in from the crowd, âBro, I think this woman is the reasonable one. Sheâs always gentle and calm. But look at the other one. such a hot-headed woman. No man can put up with that.â
Dalley chimed in, âMarry a virtuous woman, and prosperity follows for three generations. This woman on the other hand is such a fiery woman, she doesnât give her man any respect. You canât have a woman like that.â
Wasnât a manâs dignity everything in the outside world?
From start to finish, Salma didnât make a fuss. She spoke gently and reasonably, showing a complete understanding of Tavonâs feelings. In contrast, Ashley, fiery and hot-tempered, didnât leave any dignity for Tavon. Facing the whispers from people around him, he felt completely humiliated.
In his anger, Tavon slapped Ashley to assert his authority, âLook at yourself! If it werenât for you clinging onto me years ago and driving a wedge between Salma and me, Salma would be my wife now. She never quarreled with you; she didnât even ask for a dime. And you? Youâre always bitter and sarcastic. Get lost and stop making a fool of yourself.â