"Lina, what's going on with you?" Hylton asked, furrowing his brows. I didn't answer. I simply stepped back to keep some distance between us. Hylton took a deep breath and adjusted his expression, softening his tone. "I know you got tanned in Zubania, and you're upset. Don't be mad, okay? Just come home with me." I was upset because I got tanned? Did he think I was on a vacation? I thought I was already numb, but at that moment, a prickly pain wrapped tightly around my heart. I stared at his hand coldly, unmoved. His hand lingered awkwardly in the air. When he saw I wasn't responding, he withdrew it in embarrassment. "Today's my mom's birthday. Everyone's waiting for you." I nodded silently and followed him to the parking lot but kept a full arm's length between us the whole way. Hylton opened the passenger door. I ignored him as I circled to the backseat, pulling the door open and getting in the car. He paused for a second but said nothing. Then, he closed the door and got into the driver's seat. Perhaps it was too obvious I didn't want to talk to him, but Hylton tried to break the silence with small talk. "My parents got a small orange cat. I remember you always liked orange cats. He likes snuggling with women. He'll probably be all over you when we get back."