"What the hell brings you here?" Valeria asked, her tone sharp.

Taliyah explained, "I heard about what happened to you, Valeria. I came to see how you're doing."

Valeria shot a cold look at Hutton. "You seem to be well-informed."

Hutton winced. "Valeria..."

“Save it," Valeria cut him off, not wanting to hear his excuses.

Hutton held back his words, standing silently to the side.

Observing the tension, Taliyah intervened. "Valeria, don't be mad at him. I understand you're upset. What happened last night was my mistake. If you need to blame someone, blame me."

Valeria's fists tightened, her eyes flashing with anger. "Blame you? I lost my child! Can you pay with your life?"

Taliyah looked pained. "Valeria, I'm sorry for your loss but it's not entirely my fault. Losing a child is heartbreaking but maybe it's a sign. Perhaps you weren't meant to be a mother. Moreover, your pregnancy wasn't planned. Hutton mentioned you weren't happy about it. Now that the child's gone, maybe it's a relief for you."

Valeria seethed with rage at Taliyah's words.

She turned to Hutton, demanding, "Hutton, is this what you told her?"

Panic flickered across Hutton's face. "I... uh..."

He'd spilled his guts to Taliyah in a drunken rant during their silent war yesterday.

Seeing Hutton's guilty silence, Valeria's anger intensified, rendering her speechless.

Taliyah's eyes gleamed as she continued, "I understand your whirlwind romance with Hutton lacked depth. I didn't mean to meddle but I've seen Hutton's misery lately. He used to be a happy-go-lucky guy, but now he's Like a grumpy old man. Are you sure you're a good match? Plus, you're older than him. Aren't you holding him back?"

Valeria's blood boiled at those words.

Rosalynn, nearby, couldn't take it anymore. Her face turned to ice as she swung at Taliyah's knee.

Taliyah hit the floor hard.

“You flirt with married men and still act like you're all saintly?"

Rosalynn's eyes dripped with scorn.