Chapter 88

Before Latisha could react, Santino had already looked away, making her wonder if she had imagined the entire exchange.

Polly asked Clifford if they were staying the night. He refused without a moment's hesitation. He tossed the toy gun into the trash can, but it was too long and clattered against the side, knocking the bin over.

"Let's go," he said to Latisha.

Latisha pressed her lips together and rose to her feet, following him out of the mansion.

The night had grown late, and the rain was now falling heavily. Clifford held an umbrella over them, the rhythmic drumming of raindrops on the fabric echoing in the darkness.

Latisha watched his profile, obscured by shadows, a strange mix of emotions

churning inside her. Just a short while ago, he had been so cruel to her. Tonight, he had defended her, even at the cost of alienating his own sister.

What was he thinking? She couldn't read him at all.

Suddenly, Latisha stopped walking. The umbrella moved past her, and the cold rain instantly soaked her, blurring her vision.

Clifford paused and stepped back, bringing the umbrella over her head once more. "What's wrong?"

She looked up at him. The light from the courtyard lamps was diffused by the downpour, casting faint, shifting patterns on his face. She stared at him for a long moment before raising her hands to sign.

*Why?*

He tilted his head, a question in his eyes. *Why what?*

*Why are you being nice to me?*

Clifford's gaze was unwavering, his voice barely audible over the rain. "Shouldn't I be?"

Latisha shook her head. *No. If you're too nice to a girl, she'll fall in love with you.*

He didn't respond, just kept looking at her. She received no answer. Maybe Nikita was right; men pretended to be oblivious when it came to feelings, a simple way to avoid ninety percent of all complications.

His gaze drifted away from her face, staring out into the darkness where there was nothing but rain and night sky. His eyes were as empty as the void he was looking at.

"Is that so?" he murmured, his voice even softer than before, as if speaking to himself. Then, he looked back at her. "I see."

Two simple words, delivered with a coldness that was utterly

devastating. Suddenly, the rain felt crushing, each drop a weight pulling Latisha's heart down into an abyss. She felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

Those words were his way of evading her question, of rejecting the confession she hadn't even dared to make. He truly wouldn't give her even a scrap of affection.

Latisha's hands clenched into fists,

her nails digging into her palms. The pain radiated through her, a sharp ache that settled in her chest and

Made hard to breathe. Shee

tightened her throat, swallowing back the sob that threatened to escape.

Then, she took a step back, out from under the protection of his umbrella, letting the rain wash over her face.

*I'm not coming back with you,* she signed. *I want to stay here.*

Clifford made no move to shield her from the rain. He just watched as she became drenched. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. *At least it's not lonely here.*

"Fine. Stay for a few days, then." He held the umbrella out to her. When she didn't take it, he took her hand and pressed the handle into her palm. "I'm leaving."

Latisha clutched the umbrella, watching his back as he

disappeared into the downpour without a single glance back. She pressed a hand to her chest. The rainwater trickled from her cheeks into her mouth, and it tasted bitter.