Chapter 52

  Araceli POV

  After I had put Valeria and Essel to sleep, I gingerly walked out of the room.

  When I saw Raphael, I froze.

  Raphael was standing in the hallway on the second floor, staring at a painting on the wall.

  Raphael gazed intently at a painting. The side of his face was perfect and had me mesmerized. His deep brown eyes revealed a wisdom and sensitivity, as if he could see every detail and meaning hidden in the painting.

  Suddenly, I felt a wonderful empathy forming between him and me, as if I could feel his thoughts.

  He frowned slightly and asked me, "Why are you still awake?"

  I came back to my senses and didn't know what to say.

  It was only ten o'clock at night.

  I was not a child, so why should I go to bed so early?

  Raphael said calmly, "I just had a little chat with your son."

  I was a little surprised, but I played it cool, walked past him and headed downstairs.