Chapter 157

Nikita stared at her hands, taking a long moment to process the words.

"What..... did you say?” she asked, her voice hushed.

Latisha repeated the gesture: *Let's leave here. For good.*

"Are you serious?"

Nikita had tried to convince her to leave so many times, but Latisha had always refused. Now that she was the one suggesting it, Nikita felt a surge of nervous excitement.

Latisha nodded grimly. She couldn't go back. She had no way to face Clifford, and she certainly couldn't persuade him to spare Nikita. After what he'd done the last time, she couldn't even imagine his rage now.

Nikita was silent for a long time before she squeezed Latisha's hand, her gaze resolute.

"Okay,” she said. “Let's go.”

She ran a hand through her short hair, climbed out of the car, and got into the driver's seat. She froze when she saw the keys were still in the ignition. Was this car left for them?

Latisha, now in the passenger seat, saw her staring.

“Latisha, something feels wrong about this," Nikita said, gesturing to the keys. “What kind of kidnapper ties us up just to let us go unharmed, with a getaway car waiting?"

The question gave Latisha pause. But it didn't matter. Whether they stayed or left, their situation was dire.

*What do you want to do?* she signed.

Nikita sighed, her brow furrowed. "I don't know."

The last time she had tried to help Latisha escape, Clifford had nearly bankrupted her family. Now, she had actually done it. She had no choice but to leave. If she stayed, she would only bring ruin upon her family.

Her resolve hardened. "We're leaving."

*Take me to the train station,* Latisha signed. *We should separate.* "Why?"

Latisha managed a small smile. *We can meet up somewhere later. That way

y if one of us gets caught the other can still get away.*

"But if one of us gets caught, the other wouldn't just leave them, right?” Nikita asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

*Clifford won't hurt me,* Latisha explained. *But I'm worried about what he'll do to you.*

Nikita considered this. It made a grim sort of sense.

"Alright,” she agreed.

Latisha's smile remained fixed in place, hiding the fact that her palms were slick with sweat. She turned to look at her friend's profile as the

wind from the open window tossed

Nikita's short hai Awavessed.

sadness washed over her