Chapter 43

Latisha turned to look at Killian. After a moment of silence, he said, "I'll go talk to him."

She couldn't let him go alone. She quickly got out of the car and followed him.

As they approached Clifford's car, they saw the window was down. He was inside, smoking.

"Clifford, I brought Latisha back. You—"

Before Killian could finish, Clifford turned his head, and the icy glare in his eyes cut him off.

Clifford didn't speak. He flicked the ash from his cigarette onto the pavement, then tossed the butt after it. He opened the door and stepped out.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Latisha went to Clifford's side and tugged on his sleeve.

He glanced down at her, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

"Get inside."

*Killian rescued me...* she signed.

"Latisha!" Clifford cut her off, a sneer twisting his lips. "He rescued you. Should I present him with a medal?"

Her hands froze mid-air. Staring at the mockery in his eyes, she slowly lowered them.

"Clifford," Killian said, his voice strained, "don't you know Latisha has claustrophobia?”

Clifford's expression remained unchanged. He shot Killian a look, a humorless smile playing on his lips. "You certainly seem to know a lot about her."

Killian was stunned into silence. He let out a sigh. “Fine. I won't get involved in your family matters. Latisha just got out of the hospital. I trust you know how to handle this."

With that, he got back in his car and drove away.

When Killian had agreed to Nikita's request, he knew it might come to this.

It was an overcast day, and though it was only five o'clock, the sky was already dark. The porch light flickered on, attracting a few small moths that fluttered around the glass, searching for a way in.

Latisha stood beside Clifford with her head bowed. He stared at her for a long moment before turning and walking into the villa without a word. She followed silently behind him into the living room.

Clifford stopped so abruptly that Latisha had to halt in her tracks to avoid bumping into him.

He turned to face her, his eyes fixed on her face. Her hair was a mess, and her face was smudged with dirt. She kept her head down, utterly still.

"What did the doctor say?"

She slowly looked up, meeting his gaze. He asked it so casually, as if he wasn't truly cancerned, as if he'd forgotten he was the one who had locked her up in the first place.

Claustrophobia? He didn't care.

She remained silent.

Clifford's brow furrowed slightly.

Latisha bit her lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She turned her head away.

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him again. "Feeling wronged?" His tone

was laced with sarcasm, feigning a concern he didn't feel.

Latisha pushed his hand away and signed with deliberate clarity: *Let's get a divorce.*

Clifford's eyes went cold. "Say that again."

She looked straight at him, and this time, her hands moved with unwavering resolve.

*Let's get a divorce.*

"You want a divorce that badly?" Surprisingly, he didn't explode with anger as

he had before The fo Bet

was there, but it was contained, simmering deep in his eyes.

Latisha nodded. Yes, she truly wanted one.

He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he laughed, a sound that held no joy. “Fine" Pack your things and get out Come back in two weeks to sign the papers."

He tossed the words at her and walked out of the villa.

Latisha stood frozen in the living room, watching his retreating back, her hands clenched into tight fists. After a long moment of silence, she went upstairs to pack.

She didn't have much. She left behind everything Clifford had ever bought for her. With just a small suitcase in hand, she walked out the front door.

She glanced back one last time at the villa where she and Clifford had lived for three years.