Chapter 71

Yesenia's back went rigid. Humiliation, indignation, and a surge of anger washed over her, contorting her features.

After a few seconds, she turned to face him. Seeing the cold indifference in his eyes, her heart sank. She came to one conclusion: he was in a very bad mood tonight.

After all this time with Clifford, if she'd learned anything, it was how to read his moods. She knew that if she actually cut herself now, there was a good chance he wouldn't lift a finger to help her.

She hesitated, then threw the knife on the table and launched herself at him, burying her face in his chest. Yesenia knew when to be soft, when to play the victim.

"I've waited a whole year for this birthday, and you just send Ziven to blow me off. Do you have any idea how much that hurt me?"

Her voice was thick with real, genuine hurt. She knew the only person who could make him abandon her was that mute girl.

Clifford's dark expression softened slightly. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'll make it up to you."