Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Rafael POV
The morning came quietly, and my hand stayed on the curve of her shoulder as light spread across the sheets.
Raelyn was still asleep, her hair was like a wild halo against my pillow, her lips slightly parted. She looked nothing like the chaos that had brought her into my life. Just peace, fragile and undeserved.
For a long moment, I just watched her breathe. Every exhale was a reminder I hadn’t lost her yet.
My chest ached with it.
I brushed my thumb over her jaw, tracing the faint bruise my mouth had left there last night from kissing her. Her lashes fluttered, and then she opened her soft and sleepy gray eyes.
“Morning,” she whispered.
“Morning, amore mio.”
Her mouth curved showing a small and tired smile. “You didn’t sleep.”
“I couldn’t.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t want to close my eyes and risk waking up without you.”
She smiled faintly, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“Maybe,” I said, leaning closer. “But you’re still here.”
Her hand slid across the sheets, fingers finding mine. She squeezed once as a silent reassurance before whispering, “You really meant it, didn’t you? About proving it.”
“I did,” I said. “Every word.”
Her gaze softened. “Then show me, Rafael. Show me you love me even when you are going through a hard time… not just when you are happy.”
That hit somewhere deep. I nodded. “I’ll start right now.”
By breakfast, she had stolen one of my white shirts hanging loose over her thighs and I was absolutely not okay. Not because she took my shirt, but the way her bare thighs were right Infront of my eyes doing things to my body and I couldn't do anything about that.
She moved around the kitchen barefooted humming some song under her breath as she made coffee, and I swear I had never seen anything so goddamn beautiful in my life.
Then Mateo walked in first, still shirtless, his hair was messy and tangled together, yawning like a kid who hadn’t seen sunlight in weeks. He froze mid-step when he saw her.
“Oh,” he said, blinking between us. “Well… good morning, cognata.” (sister-in-law)
Raelyn cheeks flushed red, tugging the shirt lower. “Morning, Mateo.”
He grinned, throwing me a smug look. “Guess it’s official now, huh? Did you fuck?”
“Mateo,” I warned.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, fratello. I’m just saying it’s nice to see her smiling for again.”
Raelyn laughed softly, shaking her head. “He’s trouble.”
“You have no idea,” I muttered, glaring at my brother as he raided the fridge.
Then Lorenzo walked in sharper as always in control and already dressed like he had a board meeting at nine. He paused at the sight of us and lifted one brow.
“Well,” he said dryly. “You finally stopped brooding.”
“Don’t start,” I said.
He smirked. “I can’t help it. I like seeing you act human for once.”
Raelyn’s lips curved, and something warm spread through my chest.
And then Sophia stumbled in. Did they plan to wake up at once? This was suspicious.
Sophia walked in with sleepy eyes wearing one of my hoodies that hung past her knees. What is this house and wearing my clothes?!
The moment she saw Raelyn, she gasped dramatically.
“Wait, wait, wait! You two finally—”
“Eat your breakfast, Sophia,” I cut in, running a hand down my face.
Mateo snorted into his orange juice and Lorenzo was fighting a smile.
Sophia ignored me completely and threw her arms around Raelyn. “It’s about damn time someone softened his scary ass.”
Raelyn laughed, hugging her back. “You’re sweet.”
Sophia grinned. “Don’t let him scare you. He shout a lot, but he’s just a grumpy bear.”
“Sophia,” I warned.
She winked at Raelyn. “See?”
Raelyn giggled, and something inside me melted, the kind of sound that made all the noise in my head quiet for once, that made my heart at peace.
After breakfast we ended up outside. Raelyn sat on the stone wall near the fountain, dangling her bare feet.
I stood a few feet away, pretending to check my phone, but all I was doing was really just memorizing her again.
She turned her head up, catching me staring. “You know, it’s not polite to watch someone like that.”
I pocketed my phone and walked over. “I can’t help it. You look like beautiful.”
She smiled softly. “And you look like you finally found some peace.”
I reached out, brushed my knuckles down her arm. “Only when I’m with you.”
Her breath hitched slightly, and I leaned in closer just to feel her.
She whispered, “You’re different today.”
“I told you,” I said, kissing the corner of her mouth. “ And proving it starts now.”
Her fingers slid into my hair, gentle this time, no anger, just warmth.
“I think,” she murmured, “you’re doing a pretty good job.”
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, we sat on the terrace in silence. The stars shined brighter above us casting a beautiful light illuminating the place.
Raelyn leaned against my shoulder, her fingers tracing lazy circles on my palm.
“Do you think we’ll ever be free of him?” she asked quietly.
Him—i knew instantly she was talking about her father.
“Someday,” I said. “But not by running. We will face it together, remember?”
She nodded, and for a long moment, we just breathed the same air.
Then she whispered, “I never thought I would find love in a place like this.”
I turned to her, my hand sliding under her chin. “You didn’t find it, amore. Love found you.”
She smiled faintly. “You’re terrible with words, you know that?”
I grinned. “Maybe. But I’m good with actions. I can show you.”
And I kissed her again slowly, the kind of kiss whose taste lasted for days. It was more like a vow and not a promise this time.