Chapter 165

Chapter 165
The chandeliers of the mansion were bright and starlike, splashing golden light upon varnished floors, Bunches of flowers scented the atmosphere as one heard the sound of reverberating laughter and music across the halls and jingling sounds that waiters made around the crowds with flutes of fine champagnes and hors d'oeuvres on their trays.

"Is everything ready for the toast?" Rafael demanded from one of the serving people. Authority was in his voice while his eyes played around the room.

"Yes, sir. Champagne is ready and so are the musicians," he said with a slight bow and scurried away.

Rafael turned his eyes on Bernice, standing near the middle of the room in her glittering emerald gown. She covers it quite well, yet he manages to see right through it, to the scared smile below. Rafael moved to her, threaded an arm reassuringly around the nape of her lower back.

"You look lovely tonight," he whispered softly, clear into her ear.

"Thanks," she whispered, looking into the hall. "I just hope tonight goes on without any mishap. Alexander and Liam-"

"Will behave," Rafael said firmly, his eyes saying all that needed to be said. "This is about us, our family. Let me handle them."

Just before Bernice could open her mouth, Liam's voice boomed loud in the place. "Rafael! Bernice! Look who I brought with me!"

They turned to see Liam entering the great hall, his usual charm at work as he waved across the room. Beside him was Alexander, postured stiff but his features surprisingly neutral.

"Here it goes," Bernice muttered into her cup.

Liam was the first forward, clasping Rafael's hand in a firm shake. "Congratulations," he said, his voice warm, laced with an edge of warning. "It is good to see you finally taking responsibility for your family."

Rafael smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's where I have always belonged, Liam."

Liam leaned a little towards them, his voice low, "Don't forget we have discussed this, and she's been through enough, Rafael; you screw this up again, I swear you're gonna pay for it."

Rafael didn't stop the smile that overspread his face. "You've got my word. Nobody above Bernice and the kids."

Delighted, Liam turned to pull her into a quick hug. "You look beautiful, as always," he said. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Liam," she echoed in that small but thankful voice.

Then Alexander joined. His eyes never once moved from Rafael's face. Between them a silence fell, thick enough that the nearby guests actually stopped talking and turned to look.

He cleared his throat and, in a very soft-spoken voice, said, "I'll keep this brief. I had problems with you, Rafael, and you know that. But it's not about that tonight; it's about Bernice and the kids".

His calmness raised an eyebrow on Rafael as he seemed to have been caught in the woods, and then he asked, "And what exactly do you have to say, Alexander?”

Alexander reached into his jacket and pulled out two small, wrapped boxes. He handed them to Bernice with a faint smile. "These are for the twins. I thought they'd like something to remember tonight by."

Bernice's eyes went wide, her fingers trembling lightly as she took the gifts from him. "Thank you, Alexander. That's very thoughtful."

"I'm not done," Alexander said, his eyes once more on Rafael. "You and I will probably never see eye to eye, but the fact that you're their dad-that means a great deal, and because of that fact, what will always be my top two priorities are them and Bernice's well-being.

The only sound was Alexander, who continued in a softening voice. "I was selfish before. I wanted Bernice for myself because I thought she needed it. But now I realize that her heart, and her family is here. I won't stand in the way of that anymore."

Bernice's eyes welled with tears as she clutched Alexander's arm. "I don't know what to say," she whispered. "You've always been there for me, and I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through."

Alexander shook his head, offering a faint smile. "There's nothing to apologize for. You followed your heart, and that's all anyone can ask for. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything," Bernice said.

He turned to Rafael, his face firming slightly before he faced Bernice again. "Promise me you're happy. Truly happy. And if he ever hurts you-"

Rafael interrupted him, his tone silky smooth. "I won't. You have my word."

Alexander sneered, the steel creeping back into his tone. "Good. Because if you do, Rafael, I'll come back from Florence and make your life hell.

The tension snapped with the laughter welling up around them. Even Bernice couldn't help it, even as her cheek remained streaked with tears.



As the evening continued, the mood lightened. Rafael raised a toast to the guests, thanking them for their support and love. "Tonight is about my family," he declared, his voice carrying across the room. "It’s about celebrating what we’ve overcome and looking forward to what lies ahead. To my beautiful wife, Bernice, and my lovely twins,  Mia and Luca, and to all of you—thank you."

Applause erupted, and Rafael took Bernice’s hand, kissing it gently. She blushed, her nerves finally beginning to fade as she looked around the room filled with smiling faces.

After the toast, Liam approached her again, a glass of champagne in hand. "You seem more at ease now," he observed.

"I think I’m finally starting to believe it," she admitted.

"Good. Just remember—"

"I know, I know," she cut in, chuckling. "Careful. Make sure that I know what I am doing."

Liam grinned. "Exactly."

Later in the night, it was Bernice standing at the balcony as her children played in the garden below with Rafael. There was Mia, running and laughing as she chased after Luca in the most energetic display since she had landed in the hospital. Rafael went down to scoop them into his arms, whirling them around as their giggles drowned into the night.

"You look deep in thought," Liam said, joining her.

Bernice smiled wistfully. "I was just thinking how long it has been since things felt so. normal."

"You deserve it," Liam said firmly. "Don't let anyone take it away from you."

She nodded, her heart swollen with a mix of gratitude and hope. For the first time in years, chaos and uncertainty faded, and in their place, warmth of family, promise of so much better future.

And yet, even as she turned to go inside, there was the thought in her mind which refused to go away: ‘I hope it lasts forever?’