Chapter 3

Clifford stood up. “Renata, we've dropped off the gift. We're leaving."

Renata's face fell. She jumped to her feet. "Clifford, why are you in such a rush? People are still arriving. At least stay for dinner."-

"We can't. I have work to do at the office." With that, Clifford took Latisha's arm and walked out of Lambert Manor without a backward glance.

Renata seethed. She couldn't understand him. It was one thing to protect the mute girl when they were children. But he'd had a girlfriend he loved, and after being forced into this marriage, not only did he not make Latisha's life miserable, he actually moved out of the manor with her.

If you thought he loved her, you only had to remember the aborted child-he hadn't said a word. And he was still entangled with the woman on the outside.

But if you thought he didn't love her, then why did he protect her at every turn? Why wouldn't he just divorce her?

Back in the car, Clifford lit a cigarette, the tense set of his jaw betraying his agitation. Latisha sat quietly beside him, waiting for him to finish.