Chapter 14

A black sports car sped down a silent, empty street. The man behind the wheel sat cloaked in shadows, his expression unreadable. "Tess…" he murmured, feeling guilt and regret. Clifford slammed his fist hard against the steering wheel. Just then, the phone beside him lit up and began to ring. He pulled over and swiped to answer. Isabelle's voice came through immediately. "Clifford, did you see Tessa? What did she say? Has she forgiven us?" Clifford's heart sank, but he still tried to comfort her. "Tess is kind and understanding. She'll forgive me. She has to." Isabelle's sobs grew louder. "I was so wrong. I never should've hit her. She must resent me so much now…" Clifford's emotions were already in chaos. "Grandma, I'll call you back later. Please try to rest." For the first time, he hung up on her, cutting off her sobs. He'd quit smoking long ago because Tessa hated the smell of cigarettes. But now, he had no idea how to deal with the storm raging inside him. "Tess… you don't