The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 289

Latisha reached for the notebook, but he moved his wrist, pulling it back behind his shoulder and out of her reach. Her hand froze in mid-air. She bit her lip, her clear eyes staring straight at him.

"Who did you want to see the field of flowers with?"

"Who did you want to ride in a hot air balloon with?"

Her eyelashes trembled as she shook her head. She hadn't thought about doing those things with anyone. She had only written them down so she wouldn't forget, terrified that when her memory finally failed, even those simple wishes would be lost, leaving only a blank, regrettable void.

Clifford watched her, his expression growing colder. He cupped her jaw, his voice low. "Speak. Who did you want to go with?"

His grip wasn't harsh, almost gentle, but the pressure radiating from him was suffocating. Latisha’s lips moved, and after a long moment, two words escaped. "No one."

The sound was so soft it was almost a whimper, a kitten's cry laced with a nasal tone that seemed to scratch at his heart. Clifford let out a soft laugh, his thumb caressing her chin. "It seems being with me has really held you back. I had no idea your heart had already flown so far away."

She tried to take his hand, but he suddenly straightened up, and her hand fell into empty space. He opened the notebook again, glanced at the pages, and then looked at her.

“RIIIP—”

Right in front of her, he tore the notebook in half. She stood frozen, her hand still hovering in the air as she watched him tear it again, and again, until it was reduced to a pile of scraps.

He would never know that what he had torn apart were memories she had struggled to reclaim. Tomorrow, she might not be able to remember them at all.

Latisha carried the pieces to the storage room and placed them in a small box. She stood there for a long time, so long that she forgot why she had come in.

Finally, she turned to leave, only to find Clifford standing outside the door. He was wearing just his silver-grey shirt, the top buttons undone, revealing his collarbone and the strong line of his throat. She stared at him for a moment, and then she remembered what she needed to ask.

*Did you… leave the company?* she signed. She wanted to ask if he'd been kicked off the board, but that felt too cruel.

Clifford watched her, waiting a moment before speaking. "If I did, would you be ready to go off and fulfill all those wishes of yours?"