CHAPTER 60: TWISTED

Braelyn’s POV

"Was it really about having a child Raphael? Can you swear on your life you weren’t having an affair with her beforehand?"

My hand was trembling. The pent-up emotions I have been bottling were starting to get to me. It was infuriating how calm he remained.

"If you always loved her then why did you agree to marry me?"

I needed him to understand why. He knew her before me, why didn’t he choose her?

Raphael was thrown off by my outburst. "It’s complicated, Amelia can never be my wife."

The room froze, What!? A sob followed. "What do you mean, Raphael?" Amelia whimpered from the door.

Raphael froze, his head whipped to the door where Amelia was standing. "Amelia.." he blurted struggling to find the words.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her trying to mediate the situation.

Why couldn’t he marry his perfect Amelia? Why was I being dragged into this mess?

The question continued to race in my mind. I need a moment to collect my thoughts.

"I came to find you..." She managed to say. Her gaze was pitiful like a hurt animal.

"I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but what do you mean?" She asked if her lips were trembling. Raphael walked towards her.

"It’s not what you think." He explained, and her tears finally spilled. Her entire body was trembling like the world had just collapsed around her

"Then what do you mean Raphael. If you love me why can’t you marry me?" She burst out. Raphael’s fist clenched.

"Please not now Amelia..." She was stunned by his reply. Her eyes glared sharply at me before she bolted off

He wanted to run after her but stopped before he glanced at me. Lighting flashed, it was about to rain any time soon.

"Don’t you have anything to ask me?" His voice carried an unusual calmness. It snapped me out of my daze and spiralling thoughts.

"Why me?" That was all I could say. Why did he have to marry me? Was it because of the inheritance

His fist clenched and unclenched. A shaky breath slipped out like he was struggling to talk. "Everything I do was for good Lynn...I have to protect you as your husband." He said before his footsteps faded away.

I ran after him, but that wasn’t an answer. What did he mean? It was too late because he was already gone leaving me with more questions than before.

My knees gave up and I slouched on the cold floor. It was to protect me. He wasn’t making sense.

How was any of this to protect me? What was he protecting me from?

Then the question Lucien asked snuck into my mind. Why did my father and his best friend desperately want me to marry Raphael?

I managed to get up and then found my way back to the bedroom. I was still hung up on the last conversation with Raphael. My appetite was completely ruined after our exchange.

Was he bluffing, or was it the truth? A feeling in my gut told me he was telling the truth and that made me scared.

I wanted to charge him to get more answers, but he clearly was avoiding disclosing the reason. Did Raphael marry me solely out of obligation?

My heart still squeezed uncomfortably at that. The realization left me devastated. I had loved him with all my heart.

The bed sank under my weight, and I just lay blankly staring at the ceiling.

My phone screen lit up with a text notification. The phone was in my side drawer, so I had to roll over to grab it.

"Lucien.." I blurted, staring at the unknown number that kept texting me at the club, which I suspected was Lucien’s number.

Why was he texting me? I wondered as I opened the chat room

Unknown: Are you still up?

My brows furrowed after reading the message.

Lynn: This is Lucien. Am I right?

I still sent a confirmation text to be certain.

Lucien: Are you expecting someone else to text you little Viper?

My lips pursed. It was indeed him. A smile subconsciously graced my lips.

Lynn: Why the name Viper?

I found that particular nickname annoying. Lucien replied immediately, he seemed to be free at the moment.

Lucien: Because your emerald eyes are poisonous, but in a good way. The type of poison you can’t help liking.

I didn’t know if that was a compliment or not. I cut to the chase, since he texted first. I might as well use this opportunity.

Lynn: Earlier, you asked if I knew why my parents were insistent on my getting married to Raphael. Honestly, I haven’t thought of it before because I assumed it was because they were best friends.

Lynn: It feels like you know something that I don’t.

Lucien read the message but he didn’t answer immediately.

Lucien: Maybe it was truly because they were best friends. If there is another reason Raphael or Ronan might know...

Lucien: You know my state in the family.

I was a bit disappointed he didn’t know much. Maybe I was just overthinking and nothing was truly wrong.

******

It was a long night. I didn’t even know when I drifted to sleep until a loud knock woke me up from sleep. My eyes fluttered open, "Come in," I said in a shaky voice.

The door was pushed open and Raphael came in completely dressed in a suit. "Don’t tell me you are just waking up." He hissed..

"That’s not the way to say good morning. Why did you even come to my room this early?" I grumbled rubbing my sleepy eyes.

He clicked his tongue, irritated, "You have 30 minutes at most to get ready and do something about those black eyes." He instructed then turned to leave

Dumbfounded I couldn’t help but ask. "What are we getting ready for? " I asked irritated by his tone. He was acting too casually, like there was nothing wrong between us...

He stopped with a stunned expression, and he rubbed his forehead. "Don’t tell me you forgot your leave ends today and we have a meeting concerning the joint project." He stated and my stomach dropped immediately. I wasn’t aware of any joint project.

"Which Joint project are you talking about?" I was completely helpless and asked him. Raphael rubbed his forehead out of habit.

"I guess you weren’t aware because of the funeral. It is for a foreign investor. I will brief you about it later..." He explained in a few words, sounding annoyed, like I was at fault.

" Be quick about it. I can’t afford to be late." He slammed the door behind him getting no reply from me,