The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 11

After a long moment, Clifford pulled his arm away without looking at her. He turned to Yesenia, his voice softening. “I’ll take you back to the hospital.”

“But…” Yesenia started to protest, but one look at his icy expression and the words died in her throat. Right now, he was like a razor blade wrapped in cotton—seemingly soft, but deadly to the touch. She didn't dare push him.

“My foot hurts,” she whimpered instead. “Carry me.”

Clifford bent down and lifted her into his arms, right in front of Latisha. Yesenia wrapped her arms around his neck and shot Latisha a look of pure victory. “See?” her eyes said. “You’re nothing to him.”

He walked out with Yesenia in his arms, not even sparing Latisha a final glance. The slight breeze from his movement stirred the hair at her temple. She lowered her head, her hands falling limply to her sides.

Once Clifford was gone, the suffocating tension in the room finally broke. Flint hurried over and helped Latisha to her feet. “Are you okay?”

She was silent for a moment before looking up at him with a small, sad smile and shaking her head.

Flint’s heart ached for her. How could she be okay? The man she loved was lavishing attention on another woman while treating her like she was invisible.

“Clifford’s an idiot,” he said, trying to comfort her. “Don’t be sad.”

The whole world could see how much Latisha loved him, but he was blind to it.

“Bro, are you going to take me to the hospital or what? I’m pretty sure I’m bleeding out here,” Nikita joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Killian glared at her. “You think this is funny? Who told you to be so impulsive!”

Nikita just shrugged. She turned to Latisha. “Hey, come help me up. I don’t think I can walk.”

Latisha rushed over and supported her, her face etched with guilt. Nikita leaned her head on her shoulder, not giving her a chance to sign an apology.

Latisha looked up and forced a smile, shaking her head. Killian took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She stiffened, her eyes wide with alarm. As she tried to take it off, Killian said, “You look cold. Just wear it for now. You can give it back when we leave.”

Latisha didn’t know how to respond. Just then, Nikita emerged from the examination room.

“What did they say?” Killian asked.

“The results aren’t back yet, but I’m probably fine,” Nikita said, holding her head.

“You think it’s fine to just smash a bottle on your head? Just wait until you have to explain this to Dad.”

“No, don’t tell him!” Nikita pleaded, grabbing his arm. “Please, bro! I’m not that stupid. It was just a beer bottle, not a liquor bottle.”

As they were talking, Latisha swayed and collapsed.