Chapter 265

Latisha's eyes flickered. She looked toward the door. It was shut tight. No one had come in. A wave of confusion washed over her. Was she still dreaming? Or was she hallucinating?

Latisha tried to stand, but her legs were numb from sitting on the floor for so long. She stumbled and fell back onto the sofa. A pins-and-needles sensation shot through her calves, so intense it made her grimace.

The movement pulled at her injured cheek, making the tightness more pronounced. She was certain now: it wasn't a dream. Someone had put medicine on her face.

Was there someone else here?

Before she could figure it out, the door opened and Santino walked in. He was wearing a beige suit, which, compared to the silk tunic, made him look even taller and leaner. His long, straight legs could rival Clifford's. He stopped beside her and looked down.

Latisha gripped the sofa cushion, her gaze fixed on him nervously.

After a moment, Santino squatted down and unlocked the chain from her ankle. "Go make breakfast."

Latisha was stunned for a moment before the words registered. She slowly stood up and dragged her aching legs outside.

The rain had stopped, but the sky was still heavy with dark, oppressive clouds that seemed to hover just above the mountaintops, shrinking the world.

Latisha went to the kitchen for a basket and headed to the back to pick vegetables. Fearing it might rain again, she gathered enough for the whole day.

She staggered back with the heavy basket, her shoes caked in a thick layer of mud. She slipped and fell several times on the slick ground. She squatted in the courtyard, using a stick to scrape the mud from the soles of her shoes.

Santino stood in the doorway, watching the small figure in the oversized down coat, its hem dragging in the dirt.

Once her shoes were clean, Latisha carried the vegetables to the kitchen and began the familiar routine of preparing a meal-drawing water from the well, washing and chopping vegetables, and starting a fire.

As she washed the vegetables, she

saw Santino out of the corner of her eye. He was standing by the door, staring into the distance as if waiting for

we must have felt her

gaze because he turned his head.

Latisha immediately looked away, focusing intently on her task before disappearing

into the kitchen. She had just finished cooking when she heard the sound of a car engine outside. The spatula in her hand froze.

Latisha put down the plate and

hurried to the doorway, peeking her head out from behind the frame. When she saw the black Maybach pull into the courtyard her fingers, tightened on the doorframe, ber breath catching in her throat.

The car came to a smooth stop. The door opened, and Clifford got out. He was dressed in a black trench coat, a stark contrast to Santino in his white suit. One in black, one in white they faced each other across the courtyard like beings from two.. different worlds.

"Where is she?" Clifford spoke first.

Santino smiled at him. "I've been waiting for you. I was beginning to think you actually had some self-control."

Clifford ignored the jibe. His gaze swept past Santino and landed directly on the kitchen doorway, meeting Latisha's eyes without faltering.

Latisha pressed her lips together. He had found her so easily. That meant Santino had been telling the truth. He knew where she was; he was just weighing his options.

Of course. What was she to him? How could she possibly be worth sacrificing his ambitions for?

Her eyes clouded with sorrow. She quietly pulled her head back, hiding behind the door.

Clifford started walking toward the kitchen, but after only two steps, a hand blocked his path. He turned his head slightly to look at Santino.

"You'll scare her if you go over there like that," Santino said smoothly. "Even if you want to take her with you, shouldn't you at least ask for her opinion first?"

A murderous glint appeared in Clifford's otherwise indifferent eyes. “Santino, I still have a little patience left. I suggest you get out of my way while you still can."