The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 219

Clifford's gaze flickered as he looked into her pleading eyes, and for a moment, he didn't speak. His silence gave her a sliver of hope.

*I'm scared to be here alone,* Latisha signed.

He pulled his hand away, and her heart sank. Stroking her cheek, he said, "Then you can come with me."

Latisha stared at him, stunned. He wanted her to come with him to meet Yesenia? The memory of being locked in the car flashed through her mind, and she recoiled.

She stood up and signed, *I'm going to bed.*

Without a backward glance, she walked upstairs. Just as she reached the top step, she heard the front door click shut. The sound was like a slap across the face.

She spun around to stare at the closed door, a bitter, self-mocking smile on her lips. She pinched her arm, the sharp pain a welcome jolt back to reality.

What on earth had she been expecting? Yesterday's tenderness had been an illusion. As long as she came back obediently, he could ignore her without a second thought. He always found a way to pull the reins tight again. In love, the one with the power is always the winner.

Her hurried escape had made her forget the pain in her knee, which now flared with a sharp, stabbing sensation. She clutched it, slowly sinking onto the top step.

She wiped her runny nose and looked down. From this height, the villa seemed vast and colder than ever. The harsh lights reflected off the expensive furniture, casting lonely shadows.

She touched her forehead. It felt warm, but she wasn't sure.

When Ziven arrived with dinner, he found her sitting on the stairs, looking like a small puppy abandoned by its master, waiting forlornly for his return. The sight tugged at his heart.

When she was done, Ziven cleared the table and left, reminding her as he went, "Remember to lock the door, Mrs. Lambert."

The door closed again, and she was alone. Latisha looked around the villa, which felt more like a giant cage than a home. And she was the creature trapped inside, always yanked back by an invisible leash whenever she tried to escape.

…

The address Yesenia gave him was a two-hour drive away. By the time Clifford arrived, it was nearly midnight. Most of the cast and crew had already left the film set, but Yesenia was still waiting by the entrance, along with a small group of curious onlookers.

"Still waiting for someone, Ms. Winslet?" one of them asked.

"I am," Yesenia replied with a smile, though she was getting annoyed. Where was he? Still, she was glad to have an audience. They were all dying to see what kind of man had the power to elevate a newcomer like her above established A-listers, forcing them into supporting roles.