Love and Lies in the Nursery 2

Sophia's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered, her mind racing with excuses. "Yes, you're right, he's just being a little stubborn, that's all. But I think we should try to get him to calm down first, maybe take a walk outside or something. The fresh air might do him some good," Sophia suggested, trying to deflect Raphael's attention away from her inability to breastfeed.

Raphael raised an eyebrow, his eyes still fixed on Sophia's face. "A walk? You think a walk is going to make him stop refusing baby milk?"

Sophia nodded, her smile strained. "Well, it's worth a try, right? And maybe...maybe I just need to relax a bit too. I've been feeling a little anxious lately."

Raphael's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. Sophia's heart raced as she wondered if he was buying her excuses.

Finally, he nodded. "Okay, let's try it. But if it doesn't work, we're going to figure out what's really going on."

Sophia's smile faltered again for a moment before she recovered, her mind racing with ways to keep her secret hidden. "Great, let's go for a walk then." She stood up, carefully cradling Matthew in her arms, her eyes locked on Raphael's, hoping he wouldn't see through her lies.

As Raphael reached out to take Matthew from Sophia's arms, the baby's cries suddenly subsided. He looked up at Raphael with wide, tear-stained eyes and sniffled, his tiny chest still heaving with hiccups. Raphael smiled softly and began to hum a gentle tune, swaying slightly as he cradled Matthew in his arms.

Sophia's eyes widened in relief as she watched her husband and son bond in a way that she couldn't. She felt a pang of guilt and gratitude simultaneously, thankful that Raphael was unaware of her secrets, but also aware that this moment was a reprieve, not a solution.

"Look, he's calm now," Raphael said, his eyes never leaving Matthew's face. "I think he just needed his dad."

Sophia forced a smile, her heart still racing with anxiety. "Yeah, that must be it," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they walked out of the nursery, Sophia trailed behind Raphael, her eyes fixed on the back of his head. She knew she couldn't keep her secrets hidden forever, but for now, she was safe. And she will do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

"What do you think honey? Matthew should sleep with us in our room", Raphael turned to Sophia as they went upstairs with him carrying their baby.

Sophia's heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, her mind racing with excuses. "Oh, I don't know, Raphael. I think he's getting too big for that. And we should probably get him used to sleeping in his own room anyway." She tried to sound convincing, but her voice trembled slightly.

Raphael looked at her with a hint of surprise and concern. "But I thought you'd want to keep him close, especially after everything we've been through. And I love having him near us, it feels like our little family is finally complete."

Sophia forced a smile, her heart aching with guilt. "I know, me too. It's just...I think it's better for him to learn to sleep on his own. For his own good." She hoped Raphael wouldn't press the issue, afraid of revealing her true reasons for keeping Matthew out of their room.

Raphael insisted, with charming eyes, "mummy, he is only a year old, but I promise to let you sleep, I will look after him the whole night," he kissed her.

Sophia's resolve weakened as Raphael's charming eyes and persuasive words melted her defenses. She felt her heart flutter as he kissed her, his lips soft and gentle. She couldn't resist the tender moment, and her objections slowly faded away.

"Okay, fine," she relented, her voice barely above a whisper. "But just for tonight, and you have to promise to take care of him if he wakes up."

Raphael's face lit up with a triumphant smile as he hugged her tightly. "I promise, my love. I'll take care of our little one. Thank you, Sophia."

As they entered their bedroom, Sophia couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - love, guilt, and a hint of unease.

She knew she was hiding a secret, and the closer they get, the harder it becomes to keep it hidden. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside and surrendered to the warmth of the moment, snuggling close to Raphael and Matthew as they settled in for a family sleepover.