Chapter 237

Clifford saw the terror in her eyes, and his gaze flickered. He withdrew his hand and drove them straight back to Aqua Harmony Haven.

Once home, he went directly to his study. Latisha lay in the bedroom, huddled under the covers, her mind replaying the scene from the morgue over and over again, along with Clifford's chilling words. She couldn't escape the sickening conclusion that he was involved.

She didn't sleep at all that night. Every time she closed her eyes, nightmares consumed her. She saw Yolanda struggling in a sea of fire, her face a mask of despair. Then, in the final moments of the dream, the person in the flames became her. The suffocating heat felt horrifyingly real.

She woke with a gasp, feeling the phantom burn on her skin. She stared at the ceiling, panting for air. After a few moments, the sound of thunder outside pulled her back to reality.

She turned her head. The sky was dark and heavy, a torrential downpour lashing against the windows. The security bars had been fully installed, their thin iron rods standing like a cage, sealing the villa off from the outside world.

Latisha looked away, sat up, and wiped the cold sweat from her brow. She got out of bed to wash up and then headed to the kitchen. But as she reached the bottom of the stairs, a frantic knocking erupted at the front door, punctuated by the incessant ringing of the doorbell.

Latisha's heart tightened. She glanced upstairs, wondering if Clifford was home. A look at the clock on the wall told her it was already ten-thirty in the morning. The gloomy, gray light had made her think it was much earlier.

Holding her breath, she crept to the door and peered through the peephole. It was Renata. She looked distraught, her clothes soaked from the rain. She was pounding on the door, her voice frantic as she called out for Clifford.

"Clifford! Open the door! Please, open up!"

After a moment's hesitation, Latisha unlocked the door.

Renata's face lit up with relief when the door opened. She pushed past Latisha and rushed inside, yelling, "Clifford!"

When there was no answer, she bolted upstairs, checking each room, but he was nowhere to be found.

Latisha stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching her silently.

After a full sweep of the upper floor, Renata stormed back down and grabbed Latisha's arm. "Where is he? Where did my brother go?"

Latisha shook her head. She had no idea where Clifford was.

Panic seized Renata completely. She had already been to his office and called Yesenia, but he wasn't at either place. Now he wasn't home either. Where could he be?

"You mute! Tell me where he went, now!" Renata shrieked, shaking Latisha violently. "Answer me! Where is he? Is he hiding?!"

The forceful shaking made Latisha dizzy. She raised her hands and pushed Renata away.

Renata stumbled back, the terror on her face unnatural. She looked like a madwoman, her wet hair plastered to her face her eyes wide with a haunted fear. Content Delongs

Renata lunged again, her hands closing around Latisha's throat. "Tell me where he is!"

Latisha was shoved against the staircase, the railing digging painfully into her back. She clawed at Renata's hands, trying to break free.

Renata's eyes were bloodshot. She hissed through clenched teeth, “You give me Clifford, or I'll strangle you right here!"

Latisha's vision began to blacken,,

but on pure instinct, she managed to

reach up and grab a fistful of

iel

Renata's hair. With a sharp tug she pulled hard