Chapter 90

Clifford said nothing, his gaze fixed on a distant point as he considered the implications.

"What are you two talking about?" Flint flopped onto the sofa next to Killian.

Killian smirked. “We were just discussing the ladies. Are you having a good time?"

Flint grinned. "Hell yeah. Hey, Clifford, did you win the lottery or something? I've never seen you order so many girls to keep us company. You never used to let us." Clifford glanced at him coolly. "They're for you. Don't let them go to waste."

"...What do you mean, 'don't let them go to waste'? I'm still an innocent young man!" Clifford let out a low chuckle and ignored him.

Killian, however, couldn't resist. "Really? You're always begging for company, and you're telling me you're still innocent? I find that hard to believe."

Flint's face flushed. "Of course! You think I'm like you guys? All proper on the surface, but behind closed doors..." He trailed off, realizing he'd said too much, and quickly covered his mouth.

Killian's eyebrow shot up as he flicked a glance at Clifford, whose smile was now bordering on unsettling.

Flint scrambled to recover. "So, Clifford, did you have a fight with Yesenia? Is that why you're blowing off steam here?"

"Why? Do I need to have a fight to come here?" Clifford countered.

“Uh... well, no.” Flint scratched his head, at a loss for words. But something was definitely off about Clifford tonight, even if he couldn't put his finger on it.

Killian stepped in. “You're just a sweet, innocent boy. You wouldn't understand adult problems, so don't ask."

Flint's face grew redder. "I'm not a virgin! I said I'm an innocent young man!"

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course there is! One means you can't perform, the other means you've never been in a relationship. Get it right!"

Killian just shook his head, smiling. Then, as if struck by a thought, he turned to Clifford. "You're not getting any younger. Ever considered having a kid?" "What for?"

The question stumped Killian. After a moment, he said, "That's a strange thing to say. Children are a

continuation of life a source of hope and connection How can you ask what they're for?"

"Connection...?" Clifford's expression grew distant. “You mean a stumbling block?"

"A stumbling block? How could a

child be a stumbling block? They're tiny What could they possibly trip you up on You're married, but you don't have children. Your family isn't complete. When you see other families with a child, don't you ever feel a little envious?"

Clifford remained silent, lost in thought.

Flint tugged on Killian's sleeve and whispered, "What's with him tonight? He's being weird."

Killian didn't answer. He had noticed

answer.

it too. It didn't seem like a fight with Yesenia; if it were, Clifford would be drinking himself into a stupor, not sitting here in a daze in fact, he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol all night. And his reaction to the topic of children wasn't entirely negative. It felt like he was thinking about it deeply, but not out of dislike.

Killian pressed further. "What if Latisha got pregnant by accident? What would you

do?"