Chapter 112

He seemed capable of deep affection, but Yesenia knew better. At his core, he was cold, detached, as if he existed outside the mortal world, watching the struggles of others with indifferent eyes. No one could ever truly hold his heart.

"You're right. So I guess we'll both get what's coming to us," Yesenia said, letting go of him and standing up. "If you insist on keeping her here, then you have to promise me one thing."

"Name it."

"As long as she works here, you can't go home with her. I won't have her occupying you day and night. You promised you wouldn't see her for three months last time, and you broke that promise!"

Clifford pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair. "And what makes you think I'll keep my promise this time?"

"What makes me think you'll keep your promise to take care of me for the rest of my life?” Yesenia shot back. She had learned long ago that his promises were just tools, convenient excuses to do whatever he wanted.

Clifford raised an eyebrow. "You can choose not to believe me."

Yesenia's retort died in her throat, leaving her fuming. "Fine, I'm not arguing with you. But you can at least make Latisha help me move my things, can't you?"

"You can ask her yourself. If she agrees, I have no objection."

Yesenia picked up the desk phone and held it out to him coquettishly. "I want you to tell her. You can't refuse me this one little thing, can you?"

Clifford glanced at the phone but didn't take it. "What do you need moved?"

"Just some personal items. Don't worry, I wouldn't dare make your wife do any heavy lifting!" She practically spat the word 'wife,' and the sound of it seemed to strike a nerve with Clifford. His eyes darkened.

The next second, he snatched the phone from her hand and dialed the internal line.

Latisha was carefully piecing together the documents from the trash, determined to memorize

them Whatever Cliffe et

for bringing her here, she had

decided to make the most ofit.

Learning something, anything, would add a line to the resume of her otherwise empty life.

The phone rang, and she quickly picked it up.

Clifford's voice came through the line, cold and clipped. “Go help Yesenia move her things."

He hung up, leaving Latisha holding the receiver, stunned.

A moment later, Yesenia sauntered over, clicking her heels on the floor. She tapped

on Latisha's desk. “You heard him. Help me move my things."

Latisha glanced at the phone in her hand. Clifford... had actually told her to help Yesenia?

She bit her lip, put the receiver down, and stood up, signing, *What do you need me to move?*

Yesenia didn't understand sign language and had no intention of trying. She haphazardly gathered some items from her old desk and shoved them into a cardboard box. "You take this."

Latisha lifted the box. It was large and heavy, completely obscuring her view. She had to tilt her head to see where she was going.

She followed Yesenia to the elevator, where Clifford, holding a file, was also waiting. The three of them stood there for a moment in awkward silence.

The box blocked Latisha's view of him, but Yesenia saw him and immediately linked her arm through his Olifford, thank you so much! don't know how I would have gotten this big box downstairs without your help."

Clifford's gaze flickered to the box in Latisha's arms, his expression unreadable. He

said nothing, simply pressing the button for the elevator.

Latisha stood quietly in the corner, her fingers digging into the cardboard, feeling like an outsider watching their intimate display was grateful the box was large enough to hide her shame.