Chapter 177

Clifford's face was a stony mask. He refused to even look at her, cutting off any chance for communication.

Latisha let her hand fall away, her hope dying. A decision made by Clifford was never changed.

He drove her back to the villa. When they got out of the car, Latisha stood her ground, clearly wanting to say something.

Clifford walked past her without a word. She had no choice but to follow him inside. He tossed his jacket onto the sofa and turned to her. "Go make dinner."

Then he turned his back on her before she could even form a response. She went to the kitchen.

Clifford's phone rang. It was Yesenia. He glanced at the screen and tossed it onto the sofa. She called again, and again. On the eighth call, he finally answered.

Latisha poked her head out of the kitchen, straining to hear.

"What is it?" Clifford's voice was sharp with impatience.

"You said you were coming with me to the film industry gala tonight," Yesenia whined. "Where are you?"

He leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do we have to go?"

"Of course we do! I told everyone you were coming. How can I show my face if you're not there? Don't tell me you went home again," she said, her last words laced with venom.

Clifford had been going home more often than he drank water lately. Every time he did, Yesenia would torture herself with images of the two of them, their feelings rekindling, ending up in bed together. She would try to reassure herself—he doesn't even touch me, he'd never touch that mute—but the thoughts still drove her mad with jealousy.

"Is it not normal for me to go home?" Clifford asked, his tone flat, ignoring the anger in her voice.

"It's normal, fine, but I just don't want you spending time with her! I don't care, you need to come now if you don't, I'm going to freeze to death out here."

Clifford sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. “Send me the address."

"That's more like it." Yesenia hung up and sent the location.

Clifford stood, grabbing his jacket. As he was about to leave, he sensed something and turned to see Latisha's head peeking out from the kitchen The moment their eyes met, she ducked back inside. She took vegetables from the fridge and began chopping, her mind racing, trying to calculate the travel time to and from the hospital.

Suddenly, a hand clamped around her wrist. She gasped, and the knife

clattered onto the cutt

board she

Clifford's piercing

gaze.

“You're coming with me.”

He dragged her out of the kitchen, not even giving her time to take off her apron. He

pulled her outside and pushed her into the car.

Latisha panicked, not knowing where he was taking her. She had been planning to sneak out to the hospital while he was gone.

When he got in, she signed frantically: *Where are you taking me?*

He gave her a sideways glance but didn't answer, simply starting the car and driving away.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at a sprawling luxury hotel that resembled a resort.