The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 162

Clifford rose and walked toward the door. As he reached it, he turned back to the doctor. “Take care of her.”

The doctor just nodded, bewildered.

Clifford left without another look back.

Letting out a long, shuddering breath, the doctor sank back into his chair and cast a pitying glance at the woman lost in a feverish sleep.

...

Clifford arrived at the club, found the women’s restroom, and called Yesenia. A few moments later, she stumbled out, swaying on her feet.

When she saw him, she threw herself into his arms, her eyes blurred with tears. “Clifford, you came. I was so scared. If you hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what would have happened tonight.”

She buried her face in his chest. “I would have been too ashamed to ever face you again. I might as well have just died.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Clifford said, scooping her up into his arms. “I’m taking you home.”

Yesenia wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice a seductive purr. “Were you scared I might die?”

Clifford glanced down at her. Her makeup was exquisite—bold red lips, a look that was alluring without being vulgar. She looked every bit the siren.

“You shouldn’t wear such heavy makeup when you go out at night,” was all he said.

Yesenia blinked, then buried her face in his chest with a frustrated sigh. Her fingers began to trace patterns on his shirt. “Clifford, I feel so strange.”

“Stop that.”

“Where’s your car?”

He didn’t answer, simply carried her to the parking garage and placed her in the back seat. As he turned to leave, she lunged, grabbing his tie and yanking him back down toward her.

“Clifford…” she whispered, her eyes dark and hypnotic, as if they could steal a man’s soul.

She knew he only truly loved himself, but she had never been able to figure out how much, if any, love was left over for her.

The drug, or maybe it was just the alcohol, finally hit her. She collapsed in the back seat and began to sob. She cried and thrashed.

“Clifford, do you even love me at all?”

“Why are you so cold to me?”

“I hate you! You’re a heartless bastard!”

“Falling in love with you was the biggest curse of my life!”

She pounded on the back of his seat, but Clifford remained unmoved, driving silently, letting her storm rage in the back.

“Say something!” she wailed, her voice thick with desperation. “Do you love me?”