Chapter 330

He said a dog had given birth today to a litter of huskies. He even sent a picture. Latisha counted five or six puppies.

The next message from Mortimer came in: [Where are you? Why aren't you replying? Pick one, I'll give it to you.]

Latisha was in the middle of writing in her notebook, documenting how Clifford was kicking her out with nothing, not even the clothes on her back.

She put down her pen and typed a reply to Mortimer.

[I'm at the hospital, on an IV drip.]

Mortimer: [What? What happened? Why are you in the hospital? Did you catch a cold?]

Latisha: [Yes.]

Mortimer: [Are you alone?]

Latisha: [Yes.]

Mortimer: [Which hospital?]

She sent him the address. Mortimer didn't reply after that. But half an hour later, he appeared at the entrance of the infusion center, breathless, and sat down next to her.

"Glad I made it. Are you okay?"

Latisha shook her head.

"Where's your brother?” Mortimer asked. “Why isn't he with you?”

The word 'brother' stung. After three years of marriage, on the verge of divorce, she was still just Clifford's sister in everyone else's eyes. She forced a small smile, not wanting to talk about it.

She signed, *Can I borrow some money?*

Mortimer stared at her, stunned. He never thought Latisha would ask him for money. He stammered, "Are you serious? You're short on cash?"

Latisha nodded, explaining that she was, in fact, short on cash—specifically, money to buy clothes.

"How much do you need? My dad froze my cards, so I don't have much, but I can probably get you ten or twenty thousand."

Latisha bit her lip, her eyes fixed on him intently.

...

An hour later, they were at a mall.

"Your brother doesn't give you any money? Why do you have to borrow money just to buy clothes?"

Latisha signed, *My cards were frozen too.*

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Seeing her elegant fingers move, Mortimer couldn't help but laugh "Looks like we're in the same boat Come on the clothes bere akent too expensive. I'll buy them for you."

Latisha nodded and followed him into the shopping center. It was a regular mall, not

a luxury one, with few designer brands. A complete winter outfit would cost two hundred at most.

Mortimer led her into a women's clothing store with a classic, understated style that suited her perfectly.

"Here, try this one," Mortimer said, handing her a sky-blue sweater. Latisha took it and went to the fitting room. When she came out, Mortimer nodded in appreciation. "That looks great. You really suit light colors. It's beautiful."

His praise made her blush slightly. He picked out two more outfits for her. Latisha tried them both on, and Mortimer applauded each one. In total, the two outfits came to just under five hundred.

“Do you want to check any other stores?”

Latisha looked at the shopping bags in her hands and shook her head. Two outfits were enough. But as they walked past a lingerie store, she stopped.

She glanced at Mortimer sheepishly. He followed her gaze to the displays of bras and underwear inside, and his cheeks flushed. “You, uh, you need to buy that too?"

Latisha nodded.

“Okay, you go in. I'll wait for you out here." He pressed his bank card into her palm. "You can pay for it yourself. The PIN is my birthday, 052000."

Latisha gave him a grateful look and walked into the store with the card.

Their entire conversation was being transmitted from a black device on her ankle to a headset miles away.

Leaning back on a sofa, Santino listened to their exchange, a playful, scheming smile spreading across his lips.