The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 32

Latisha lowered her gaze. Was he really that clueless?

No. He was just selfish.

She turned and ran back into the house, locking herself in her room.

Clifford stood outside for a while, waiting until the last ember of the fire had died out before he finally went inside.

Latisha was huddled on the floor, hugging her knees, her eyes empty as she stared out the window. She watched as the sky darkened and the world was plunged into blackness once more.

Later that evening, Clifford came into the room. He walked over to the corner and knelt in front of her.

"Are you hungry?"

Latisha turned her head away.

He was silent for a moment, then reached out and stroked her hair. "Your birthday is coming up. How about I celebrate it with you?"

Latisha froze, her head snapping up to look at him.

She didn't even know her real birthday. Darby had decided that the day she arrived at the Lambert estate would be her birthday.

She realized she had been with the Lamberts for twenty years.

When she didn't respond, Clifford took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "I'll take you out to dinner. We can buy you some new clothes."

She looked down at the floor. He always knew how to piece her back together after shattering her heart. His affection might be cheap, but it was a tenderness she couldn't refuse. Because he was all she had.

Afterward, he took her shopping and bought her a trunkful of new clothes—dresses, casual wear, everything. The walk-in closet at home was overflowing with her things, while his own clothes consisted of just a few suits. His presence in that closet felt as out of place as he did in her life.

It was ten o'clock by the time they got home. He went straight to his study, leaving her to toss and turn alone in bed.

Nikita had sent her a flood of messages, asking if she had received the paintings. Latisha didn't have the heart to tell her that Clifford had burned them all before she'd even had a chance to see them.

Nikita had told her that there was more to life than just Clifford, that the world was full of beautiful things and people. She had told her to love herself so she could better love her baby. She had written: [Look at the paintings. There are vast oceans, towering mountains, and the most beautiful you. They'll lift your spirits.]

Latisha read the words, and they felt like a rope tightening around her heart. If Nikita knew what had happened to the paintings, she would be so disappointed in her.

She hugged her phone, closed her eyes, and didn't dare to reply. Maybe someone like her didn't deserve to have friends.