Chapter 16 (Author’s POV)

The city was quiet by the time Raphael arrived home.

The clock in the hallway read 11:07 PM as he shut the door behind him, exhaling deeply.

His body ached, his head throbbed, and his mind was still replaying the events of the day.

The moment his vision blurred at the boardroom table, the hushed whispers of the executives, the way he had to excuse himself before completely collapsing-everything played in his head like a cruel reminder of his limits.

He had lost the deal. He ran a hand down his face, pushing back his exhaustion.

His eyes landed on the dining table, and for a moment, the sight before him stilled him. Amanda. She was there, head resting on her folded arms, fast asleep.

The soft glow of the chandelier above bathed her in golden light. His gaze flickered to the untouched plates of food in front of her. She had waited for him.

A strange feeling twisted in his chest, something dangerously close to guilt. He moved carefully, not wanting to wake her. Instead of disturbing her, he turned on his heels and walked straight to his room.

After a quick shower, he stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, steam following him as he ran another towel through his damp hair.

The exhaustion was still there, clawing at him, but now his muscles felt slightly less tense. And then he saw her. Amanda.

She was sitting on his bed, waiting. Raphael stopped in his tracks, jaw tightening. He hadn't expected her to follow him, but of course, she had.

He ignored her, walking past her as if she wasn't there. He was in no mood for this-not after the kind of day he had.

"Where have you been?" her voice broke the silence. He sighed, not turning to face her.

"None of your business."

"None of my business?" She scoffed.

"It's 11 PM, Raphael.

You left early this morning and didn't say a word. I waited, made dinner, and-"

"You shouldn't have waited," he cut her off, his tone sharp.

"I didn't ask you to." She folded her arms.

"So what, this is how it's going to be? You disappear and refuse to talk to me?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you, Amanda," he said, his patience thinning. She shook her head, clearly frustrated.

"Fine. Then at least explain Annabel".

At that, Raphael froze. His hands clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening. Amanda took his silence as an invitation to push further.

"Why do you always act like she doesn't exist?" He turned to face her, his eyes darkening.

"Why do you keep bringing her up?"

"Because you never talk about her!" she shot back.

"You married me, not Annabel, yet her name lingers around you like a ghost. Why?"

"You're jealous," he accused, his voice laced with anger. Amanda scoffed.

"Jealous?"

"Yes, jealous!" He took a step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

"I married you. I chose you. So why are you so obsessed with her?"

"Because you refuse to acknowledge her!" she challenged, standing her ground.

"Who is she to you? And why won't you talk about her?" Raphael's temper snapped.

"Because she is the worst thing a man could ever be with!" he roared.

Silence crashed between them.

Amanda's breath hitched, her eyes wide with shock.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice softer this time. He dragged a hand through his hair, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

"I don't want to talk about it," he muttered, turning away. She wasn't satisfied with that answer.

Slowly, she walked up to him. He could feel her presence behind him, the warmth of her body so close, yet he remained still.

Then, gently, her hand pressed against his shoulder.

"Talk to me," she whispered. His body tensed.

"Amanda-" Her hand moved, trailing down his bare skin.

His breathing became shallow, his body betraying him as he turned to face her. She was looking at him now, deep into his eyes, and for the first time that night, his defences cracked.

He didn't even know who moved first, but suddenly, their lips met. The kiss started slow, cautious-but within seconds, it deepened. It became desperate, hungry.

He pulled her closer, his hands roaming over her body, memorizing the shape of her. She melted into him, her fingers gripping onto his damp skin as if she was just as lost as he was.

Raphael lifted her effortlessly, throwing her onto the bed, and climbed over her. Their lips met again, their bodies molding together in a way that felt both dangerous and intoxicating.

His hands explored, tracing every curve of her body as he claimed her mouth again and again- Then the beeping started. A shrill, repetitive sound cut through the haze. Amanda stiffened beneath him. Raphael, however, ignored it.

His lips found her neck, his hands slipping lower- She pushed against his chest, her breathing uneven.

"Stop," she whispered. He barely registered it. His mind was still clouded with need, with frustration, with the unspoken emotions he couldn't name.

"Raphael, stop," she said again, firmer this time. Her hands pressed against his chest, and finally, he pulled back.

And then she ran.

Without another word, Amanda jumped off the bed and rushed out of the room, leaving him stunned and breathless.

The beeping continued. Raphael sat there for a moment, watching the door she had just escaped through.

His chest rose and fell as he exhaled deeply. Then, he got up, walked to his drawer, and pulled it open.

Inside, five different pill containers stared back at him. One by one, he opened them, taking a pill from each and swallowing them dry.

As he placed the last bottle back in the drawer, he leaned against the table, his eyes flickering toward the door Amanda had disappeared through. "Only if she knew why I had wanted her all this while."