Chapter 26 (Author’s POV)

Amanda excused herself, leaving Michael and Raphael alone in the living room. She made her way upstairs to her room, needing a moment to herself.

Michael leaned back on the couch, studying Raphael. "So, how have you been?"

Raphael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been good."

"And the business?" Michael asked, crossing his legs.

"It's alright. I'm planning on acquiring another company soon."

Michael raised a brow. "Again? Aren't you tired of just buying companies over and over?"

Raphael smirked, taking a sip of the whiskey he had poured himself. "It's not just for me. It's for her."

Michael's expression shifted, growing serious. He studied his friend for a moment before asking, "Does she know?"

Raphael's jaw tightened. He looked down at the amber liquid in his glass. "No, she doesn't. And I plan to keep it that way."

Michael exhaled, shaking his head. "Raphael, she deserves to know. She has a right to know."

"I love what I have with her right now," Raphael murmured, his voice softer. "Telling her that I won't be alive for a year or more... it'll break her. And that's the last thing I want."

Michael clenched his fists. "You can't just keep this from her forever. What if she finds out another way? What if she..." He hesitated, lowering his voice. "What if she finds out too late?"

Raphael took a deep breath. "I just... I just hope she gets pregnant before I leave this world. At least then, a part of me will stay with her."

Michael's face fell. "Hey, don't talk like that."

Raphael chuckled dryly. "It's the truth, Michael. No use sugarcoating it."

A heavy silence settled between them before Michael cleared his throat. "How are the symptoms? Are they getting worse?"

Raphael shrugged. "Not really. The medication helps."

Michael eyed him skeptically. "Have you seen Dr. Ramsey recently?"

Raphael sighed. "No. I haven't had the time."

Michael scoffed. "You need to make time. Maybe you should get admitted. At least for proper monitoring."

Raphael shook his head firmly. "No. There's no reason for that. I don't want to leave Amanda alone."

Michael ran a hand through his hair. "What if you black out again? What if you forget who she is? Just like you forgot Bella when you showed up at her house three weeks ago?"

Raphael's expression darkened. He shot Michael a sharp look. "Don't remind me of that."

Michael exhaled. "You can't just tell me not to remind you. Raphael, I'm the only one-besides your parents-who knows what's going on with you. Bella doesn't know. And I get it, you want to keep her out of this, but..."

Raphael's face was unreadable as he muttered, "She's been through too much. If I had gotten there in time, she wouldn't be crippled."

Michael's features softened. "Don't say that. Things would have happened the same way."

Raphael let out a bitter chuckle. "And look at me-I had it worse. Not only did I suffer a head injury, but now I'm terminally ill. And I still think it's unfair that Amanda doesn't know."

He leaned back, closing his eyes. He could already imagine Amanda's reaction if he told her.

What if she ran away?

What if she pitied him and only stayed out of guilt?

What if she never fell in love with him?

He had been patient-watching her, studying her, waiting for her to open up to him. He knew, little by little, she was starting to like him.

And he wanted to keep it that way until she finally loved him.

Michael sighed. "At least promise me that when the time comes, you'll tell her."

"I'll tell her when I want to," Raphael said. "Just not now."

Michael didn't push further. Instead, he changed the topic. "Anyway... how's married life treating you?"

Raphael smirked. "It has its perks."

Michael chuckled. "I'm sure it does. Speaking of, my wife and the kids are doing great, by the way."

"Good to hear," Raphael said.

"We're hosting a party in two weeks. Just a small thing with friends. You should come-you've been MIA for a while. If I hadn't come over, I doubt you'd have reached out."

Raphael rolled his eyes. "I've just been busy."

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Michael teased. "That's what you always say."

Raphael chuckled. "Fine, I'll come."

Just then, Amanda walked into the kitchen.

Raphael's gaze followed her instinctively.

His eyes darkened, watching the way she moved, the way the sunlight hit her skin, the way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Michael noticed.

"You love this woman, don't you?" Michael asked, studying his friend's expression.

Raphael didn't even hesitate. His lips curled into a small smile.

"I have always loved her."

His voice was soft.

"Six years and counting... and I still do."