Chapter 218

The phone landed face up, the screen still lit.

It wasn't Nikita's profile, but a chat window with Clifford. In the message box were the half-typed words: [Are you coming home tonight?]

Seeing this, the tension in Clifford's expression eased. He walked over, bent down, and handed the phone back to her.

"You wanted me to come back?" he asked.

Latisha clutched the phone, suppressing a wave of guilt, and nodded. She had caught a glimpse of him in her peripheral vision and quickly switched screens. She hoped he hadn't noticed.

"Why were you waiting for me?" he asked, his voice softening as he stroked her hair.

She signed, *I'm hungry.*

Clifford watched her hands, a faint smile playing on his lips. "So hungry you cried? What do you want to eat?"

Latisha thought for a moment, then signed, *Soup. The same soup from this morning.*

"No, you can't live on soup. I'll order something else, alright?"

He didn't wait for an answer, already pulling out his phone to have Ziven deliver a meal.

Latisha watched him. He certainly wasn't short on money, yet since they'd moved here, he'd never once suggested hiring a housekeeper. She did everything herself— the cooking, cleaning, laundry. It was as if he thought she was bored and needed something to do.

She tugged on his sleeve. When he turned, she signed, *I want to visit Mrs. Dashiell at the hospital. Is she awake yet?*

Clifford just looked at her, saying nothing.

Latisha's heart tightened. Was he going to go back on his word?

After a long moment, he finally spoke. "She's awake. But you're still injured. How can you go see her? Wait until you're better."

Latisha breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. Clifford gently patted her head again, his eyes holding that same complex expression she'd seen before but never understood.

While they waited for dinner,

Clifford's phone rang. A glance at

the screen confirmed it was

Yesenia He was about to declinet

the calf but she hung up, as if sensing his intention, only to immediately call back.

With a sigh, Clifford stood up to take the call. "What is it?"

"Clifford, come pick me up!" Yesenia whined. "I have to film until midnight, and this

heavy makeup has been on all day. I'm so scared I'll break out tomorrow!"

"Didn't the production company arrange a hotel?"

"They did, but I don't want to stay there. I want you to come get me! It's not that far Please? I'm leaving for an on-location shoot next month so you should spend more time with me."

Clifford hesitated for a moment before replying, "Send me the address."

"Okay, love you!" Yesenia chirped happily and hung up, immediately texting him the location. Her real reason for calling wasn't just to be picked up; she had overheard some of the bigger stars on set gossiping about her speculating that fier sponsor was some repulsive,

ancient old man. She couldn't stand the insult and wanted to prove them wrong.

Clifford turned back to Latisha. Before he could say a word, she reached out and

took his hand, her eyes pleading. She signed, *Can you please not go?*