Chapter 137

Latisha's fingers tightened around her phone.

He hadn't come home last night, and she had a new phone. How could he still know where she was?

She tried to convince herself it was just a coincidence and chose to ignore the message, turning her attention back to Zadok.

Zadok was speaking with Mrs. Dashiell, asking if she was willing to leave.

Seeing Latisha, Mrs. Dashiell hesitated. She didn't want to be a burden to her anymore.

Latisha signed, *Please come with us. Don't stay here.*

Mrs. Dashiell's expression was conflicted. She opened her mouth, her voice trembling. “Maybe it's better if I just.....”

Latisha shook her head firmly: *We're already here. Why won't you come?*

After the confrontation, things would only get worse for her if she stayed. Latisha couldn't bear that thought.

Mrs. Dashiell patted Latisha's hand, her eyes shining with tears and affection. "At my age, there's no point in moving around anymore. Latisha, thank you, really."

Then she added, "You have that evidence, right? If Preston treats me badly, you can just sue him for me, okay?"

Tears welled in Latisha's eyes, but she stubbornly shook her head. She wanted to take Mrs. Dashiell with her, not just for the old woman's sake, but for her own selfish reasons too. She yearned for someone to love her.

Just this once, she wanted to be selfish.

Mrs. Dashiell fed Latisha toward the door and lowered her voice. “Latisha, your kindness means the world to me. Im old, I've seen and suffered it all but nothing has made me happier than meeting you. You are a good child. You have to take care of yourself, do you understand?"

Her words sounded like a final goodbye. Latisha's tears fell freely, and she shook her head again and again.

Mrs. Dashiell continued, "The other day, I overheard Preston on the phone. I heard him call the person on the other end 'young master.' Latisha, I may be old, but I'm not senile..."

She didn't need to say more. They both understood.

Clifford had orchestrated her

removal. If Mrs. Dashiell went back

with Latisha, the consequences

would be even more severe—not just

for her but for Latisha as well Mrs. Dashiell would rather suffer here than leave with her.

They were both trying to protect each other, to cherish the fragile warmth they had found, but someone had to yield.

Latisha clung to the old woman's hand, understanding her sacrifice but unable to let go.

She didn't understand. Clifford had promised to let Mrs. Dashiell stay. Why had he sent Preston to take her away? She had followed his orders and cut off contact with Nikita. Why did he still break his promise?

Zadok came to her side. "Since she doesn't want to leave, perhaps we should let

her stay," he advised gently. "I've spoken with Preston. I don't believe he'll harm her again."

Latisha didn't believe it for a second.

The moment they left, Preston

would revert to his old ways,

than before

perhaps even worse than before And because Mrs. Dashiell didn't

want to burden her, she would never admit how much she was suffering.

“It's alright, Latisha, you should go home," Mrs. Dashiell said, her tone gentle, like she was comforting a child. "Don't worry about me. You have the evidence. There's nothing to be afraid of."

She spoke just as she had when Latisha was a little girl, telling her not to be afraid during thunderstorms. But how could she not be afraid? The thunder was so loud, the rain so heavy, and she was all alone.

Latisha looked at the old woman, tears streaming down her face. She hated this feeling of helplessness. It was just like when she lost the baby—no matter what she did, she was powerless to change the outcome.

“Ms. Judd,” Zadok said, “if you're worried, we could have Preston install a security camera in the living room."