I Thought She was a Saint
💎Angel💎
"—then add the vegetables once it's fried," Jasira said, guiding me through the third recipe of the day.
"Excuse me, Jazira," I said with a smile, reaching for my buzzing.
"Tesoro, I need you," Raul's gruff voice crackled through the line. I glanced at Jazira, who was whisking eggs with focus. I couldn't just abandon her.
"Give me thirty minutes, Raul. I'm still helping your mom."
"Okay, hurry," he murmured before I hung up and tucked the phone into my back pocket.
"Was that Raul?" she asked, her tone warm. I nodded, still smiling.
"How didn't I meet you first?" she teased.
I laughed, softly. "The first isn't always the best. What matters is we found each other."
Then I lowered my voice a little, curious. "But... what made you choose Catalina?"
She sighed and resumed mixing ingredients while I focused on the pasta sauce.
"I thought she was perfect—smart, beautiful, successful. Most importantly, not Nikolai's type, which I assumed made her right for Raul."
She paused, glancing at me. "Raul must've told you about his past."
I nodded quietly.
"I hoped she'd help him heal, bring back the old Raul. I was so eager to fix him that I missed her fake smiles and hollow laughter."
I listened quietly, my mind racing. Why does Catalina act like that? What's her motive? What's she gaining from the façade?
Once we finished cooking, I rushed upstairs to our room. Raul lounged on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
"Raul?" I called. He looked up, his eyes glinting.
"Good, you're here. Hurry and get ready—we're going out."
I frowned, confused. Today was supposed to be our rest day.
"Why?"
"Mamá's birthday is tomorrow. We need to shop for her surprise party." My eyes widened.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I shrieked.
"It slipped my mind, tesoro," he said, scratching his neck.
I didn't waste time arguing. I grabbed a yellow summer dress from the closet and headed into the bathroom to freshen up. After gloss and a quick spritz of perfume, I was ready.
"Is that why the house is so quiet?" I asked as we slid into the car.
"Yeah. Once we realized tomorrow's her birthday, Joanna and Mia went to handle other arrangements," he explained. I nodded, the pieces falling into place.
At the mall, Raul came around to open my door. I linked my arm through his, and we strolled in.
"Where do we start?" I asked, pursing my lips in thought.
"Let's get her gifts first. Sound good?" I nodded, and we headed to a jewelry store.
The display cases sparkled with stunning pieces, but I hesitated. She's so wealthy—she probably owns half this store already.
"What's wrong?" Raul asked, stepping behind me, his arm wrapping around my waist.
"These are gorgeous, but they don't feel right for her," I admitted. "I want something special."
"Mamá will love anything you pick, you know. She may have jewelry, but gifts from loved ones mean more to her." His words warmed me.
"Really?" I looked up, and his smile reassured me.
"Come on, let's find something."
We browsed the glass displays, and then I saw it—a silver bracelet with delicate charms.
"I love this," I said, pointing.
"Perfect. Let's get it." He waved over the attendant, who took it to package.
"Aren't you getting her anything?" I asked, noticing his lack of interest in the jewelry.
"Of course, but I'm getting what she's always wanted—a puppy. She's been begging for a pocket dog, but I never had time to take her to pick one."
"That's so sweet!" I grinned. "Can we get one for us, too?"
"No." His answer was instant, and my face fell into a pout.
"No? Why not?"
"Angel, I'm not big on pets. Plus, I don't want anything stealing your attention just yet. Understand, tesoro?"
I turned away, silent. Not even a maybe? He didn't even think it over.
"Angel," he groaned, circling his arms around me from behind. "You're not really mad over a dog, are you?"
I still didn't answer, giving him the cold shoulder. If he had a better reason, maybe I'd let it go. But come on—like I'd ditch him over a puppy.
"Angel—"
"Mr. D'Amano," the attendant called, interrupting us. We turned to face her, the packaged bracelet in her hand.
"Let's go," he said, holding his hand out to me—but I ignored it, brushing past him and following the shop attendant instead
We got to the register, and the cashier called out the price. I reached for my card, but Raul caught my wrist, stopping me.
"I'll pay," he declared firmly.
I glared at him and snatched his card right out of his hand, leaving him visibly annoyed. The cashier glanced between us but wisely stayed silent.
I handed her my card, and Raul grabbed my arm, pulling me to the side.
"What's wrong with you?" he hissed, his voice low and tense.
I tried to pull free, but he held tight.
"You really thought I'd let you pay for it?" I asked, frustrated. "If I let you pay, then it's no longer a gift from me to Mamá. Let me do this."
I finally yanked myself out of his grip just as the attendant returned, handing me my card and the bag.
"Let's go," I muttered, not even looking his way.
We left the mall in silence. The entire car ride was awkward and quiet—neither of us said a word.
When we pulled up to the pet store, I didn't wait for him to open the door for me—I got out on my own.
The man at the entrance greeted us warmly and held the door open. As we stepped in, the sound of meowing cats made me unconsciously inch closer to Raul's side. I've always been terrified of those creatures.
"How can I help you, sir?" a teenage girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail and wide gray eyes approached us.
"Where are the puppies?" Raul asked.
She smiled and led us to a section filled with small cages, each housing different dog breeds.
"Do you have a specific breed in mind?" she asked politely.
"Yes. The Maltese."
She nodded and guided us to a cream-colored sofa tucked in the corner. We sat, and she soon returned carrying two cages, each packed with squirming, yipping Maltese pups of different colors.
I almost cooed at the sight, but quickly caught myself. I reminded myself I wasn't getting one—not with Mr. Possessive here.
She went back to bring more, and Raul asked her to let them out.
As soon as she opened the cages, the pups scurried around, a few gathering at Raul's feet. He flinched—just a little—and had a strange look on his face.
Was Raul D'Amano afraid of tiny puppies?
The thought nearly made me laugh, but I was still low-key mad at him, so I bit my tongue.
His eyes scanned the pups. He eventually pointed to a fluffy brown one with marble eyes, and the assistant picked it up.
But just then, I noticed a tiny one with shiny white fur and mesmerizing black-marble eyes. Her pink tongue lolled out as she stared at me.
She was perfect. My heart melted instantly.
I gave her a sad smile, knowing I wouldn't get to take her home—thanks to the jealous beast I was in love with.
"Is that all, sir?" the teen asked.
"I'll take the white one too," he said, pointing to the exact puppy I had been admiring.
My eyes snapped to him, and he winked, a tender glint in his gaze.
God, my heart swelled.
"Are you really—" I started, but he cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead softly.
"I'll do anything to see that smile again," he whispered, "and to keep you from ignoring me. I can't stand it. But..." he leaned in, "you have to promise not to give her all your attention."
I nodded eagerly, a grin breaking free.
"I love you so much, Raul," I murmured, wrapping my arms around him.
He held me tighter against his body.
"What do you want to name her?" he asked as we walked toward the counter to pick out her collar and other supplies.
"Astra," I told him, picturing her starry eyes. He smiled and nodded.
The older man behind the counter grinned and slipped through a door to finalize the sale.
^^^^^^^^
After shopping for the party, we settled into a cozy restaurant.
"What about a cake? I can bake one if you want," I offered.
Raul shook his head, smiling. "No need, tesoro. Joanna and Mia have it covered."
I nodded, picking up my fork to dig into my meal.
"Angel," a voice called from behind, and Raul's face tightened, a strange glint in his eyes. My brows furrowed as I turned slowly.
"Dad?" I choked out, my heart stuttering at the sight of the first man I'd ever loved. He stood there, his sad smile framed by teary eyes.
"Princess," he whispered.
Without thinking, I flew out of my seat and threw my arms around him, squeezing him like I could make up for the years in one hug.
I was angry that he'd left—but none of that changed how much I loved and missed him.
"Dad, I—I can't believe this," I whispered, stepping back to look at him properly. Just to be sure he was really here.
"It's me, princess. I'm so sorry for leaving you and Luca. Please, let me explain." His hands clasped together, pleading.
"You don't have to beg," I said, placing my hand over his and pulling it down gently. "I'll listen."
"Really?" His voice cracked. I nodded, and he pulled me into a hug, the warmth of it achingly familiar. He noticed Raul and offered a sheepish smile.
"Sorry for interrupting your date, son. I'm just... so happy to see my daughter."
Raul offered a small, polite smile. "It's fine, Mr. Caribello."
Dad pulled out a chair and sat beside me.
"Have you eaten, Dad? Should I order something for you? What would you like?" I asked, words tumbling out.
"Angel." He smiled and placed his hand on mine.
"Relax, will you? You haven't changed a bit."
I smiled shyly and looked down, warmth flooding my chest.
^^^^^
After lunch, we headed to a nearby park to talk.
Dad and I settled on a weathered bench, the air cool and quiet. Raul had left to help Mia and Joanna with the party preparations, asking me to call when I was done.
Dad let out a heavy sigh, his eyes distant.
"Princess, I didn't leave because I wanted to. I was forced to."
I frowned, confused. "Mom forced you?"
"She didn't force me directly. But her actions... made it impossible to stay." He paused, gathering his thoughts.
"When I met your mother, I thought Maeve was perfect—beautiful, smart, a homemaker, cultured, pure despite her hard upbringing. She'd lost her parents young but stayed untouched by the world's cruelty. I thought she was... almost holy, like the Mary of our time."
I listened, my heart tightening as he continued.
"I thought she'd jump at my wealth and looks, like others did, but she was different. She talked about the Bible, her faith. I tried to change for her, to be a man worthy of her, but nothing was ever enough. She always found fault in me."
Was that really Mom? My mind reeled, conjuring memories of her sharp glances, her clipped tone when Dad and I laughed too long together.
I'd always thought her strictness was love, her rules a shield. But now, hearing him, I saw cracks in that image—cracks I'd ignored as a child, too young to question why Dad's warmth felt rationed after Luca arrived.
"I tolerated it, thinking she just wanted me to be better, to avoid sin. But it wasn't that." His voice grew heavy.
"She didn't want a partner. She wanted someone to mold—someone she could bend to her idea of 'righteousness.' he continued, his eyes distant, lost in the past.
"She didn't trust me, even when I was faithful. She questioned every late night, even though I was working—running a company that demanded my attention. Her obsession with perfection became unbearable, especially when she started resenting how close you and I were."
I swallowed hard, the memory of that distance stinging.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel less loved after Luca was born," he confessed, his eyes glistening.
"I pulled back because Maeve threatened to send you to a church-run boarding school. You were so young. I couldn't let that happen."
I nodded, tears pricking my eyes.
"Because of her, I stayed late at work, sometimes lied about business trips just to escape. Then I met Sarah, my secretary. She... she saw me for me. She didn't demand perfection, accepted my flaws. Friendship turned to love, and I fell for her."
He looked down, guilt etched into his face.
"I couldn't tell Maeve face-to-face. I knew she'd never let me go easily, so I sent a text explaining why we couldn't stay together. I wanted to take you and Luca, but she made it impossible. She'd never give me custody or let me see you."
My chest ached, imagining his struggle.
"I tried to will half my wealth to you and Luca, to ensure you'd never want for anything, but Maeve rejected it all. Sarah and I fought to get you both, but we couldn't. So... I left the country."
His voice broke. "I'm sorry I didn't fight harder. I'm sorry I let her manipulate and control you both."
Tears streamed down my face, mirroring his.
"It's okay, Dad," I said, my voice thick. "What matters is you're here now."
I pulled him into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly.
"Thank you for giving me a chance, princess. I've always loved you, and I always will."
"Dad," I choked out, clinging to him, the years of absence melting in that moment.