The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 15

She was a grown woman, carrying his child, but in his eyes, she was still the little girl who loved cartoons.

“You don’t like it?” he asked, turning to her. He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.

Latisha quickly composed herself and nodded, signing, *I love it.*

His phone buzzed incessantly. After two episodes, he finally answered it.

“Where are you?” Yesenia’s voice crackled through the phone.

“Home.”

The word was like a knife in Yesenia’s heart. “Home? Then what’s this, a hotel?”

Clifford sighed. “What is it now?”

“You promised you wouldn’t see her for a month! You lied to me!”

He glanced at Latisha, who was pretending to watch the television. “We’ll talk when you’re feeling better,” he said, then hung up.

He tossed the phone aside and turned his attention back to the screen, watching with a focus that Latisha knew was feigned. He did this only when he was in a good mood, indulging her in these small, meaningless ways. One moment, he was cruel and distant; the next, he was this, the gentle protector from her childhood.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, savoring the false intimacy. For a fleeting second, she wanted to tell him, *I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.*

*I’m on my period,* she signed.

He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes dark. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” he said, his voice husky.

*I’m sorry.*

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then sat up. Seeing his displeasure, she quickly signed, *I can… help you.*

He glanced at her moving fingers. In this, at least, he had taught her well.