CHAPTER 15
Rafael’s POV
My fingers curled painfully around the glass. The golden burgundy liquid burned my throat yet I couldn't stop consuming it. The burn helped tamper the shake of my thoughts.
"Are you sure about this, Rafael? You should think again.
" I lowered the glass with much more strength than intended.
It clanked heavily on the tabletop. It was getting harder and harder to leash my self-control.
After the night I confessed my sins to Kaelith, I could still hear his words lingering in my head.
'Divorce her. You do not deserve her.’
I curled my fingers and clenched my teeth.
"Yes, this is the only way I can keep her safe." Abigail’s eyes widened. I couldn't afford to lose her again; I wouldn't let that happen.
"Just because your brother threatened you, you’re divorced—" The man Jun hired to investigate replied.
"He did not threaten me!" I growled. My heart clenched at his words.
“Letting her go is not an option— “
“I cannot keep her too, Gail! I do not deserve her— “
“Who said that? Your brother? Who always wanted to take her away from you? Think Rafael, isn’t it going all too well?”
“Amara’s accident, her losing her memories, she is even staying with Kaelith, and now, divorce. Then what? What do you think will happen next, huh?”
My fists once again clenched as I processed his words.
My Amara. When I remained quiet, Gail squeezed my shoulder.
"Kaelith will marry Amara. She will forget you. There will be no sign of your existence in her life. You will be nothing but a mere fragment in her life which she’ll forget soon.
Kaelith will make sure of that." Gail said with bitterness.
My blood was boiling and the jealousy that hindered my thoughts from swaying turned into a green-eyed monster. My grip fighting over the glass.
"What if this was all a well-thought-out plan of Kaelith?" I stilled.
Kaelith’s infatuation with Amara was not hidden from anyone. He loved her openly. Too openly. Doubt settled in my head. He might be right. What if….
"Amara is yours, she belongs with you, beside you." I swallowed hard. She was mine.
"You’re too kind to think you do not deserve her, but does your brother do?” My frown deepened. If I was a sinner, Kaelith was the devil.
"And what about her?" Fuck! I just couldn't wait anymore. I needed to see her by myself, to touch her to know she was mine, I needed to feel her. Just thinking about her made my heart flutter. Just some more time and I'd be able to see her.
"She cannot hate you; she loves you, remember." He shook his head.
I swallowed. No, Amara couldn’t leave me. She was mine. My wife. And good forbid if anyone came between us. I'd tear that person limb by limb. This time, I was not letting her go anywhere. No one would come between us–not even Kaelith.
I fisted the divorce papers in my hand. Amara was mine. Mine and mine alone.
******
The ruffles covered the rim of the dress giving it the appearance of a mermaid tail, hugging the small of her waist and enhancing the curves.
The off-shoulder design with ruffled short sleeves fell elegantly over the slender arms delicately flowing with her every movement.
The Crystal white shade of the dress complimented the warm shade of her flushed skin.
The small beads like pearls shimmering with every twirl.
Her eyes slowly shifted to her hair, elegantly loosely pinned at the back as several stray strands fell over her angelic features. Almond eyes covered with a light shade of peach and a nude shade of coral enriched her small heart-shaped lips.
"You look so beautiful, my child..." she heard Martha mumbling dreamingly. Looking at her through the mirror, she noticed a dazzling gleam in her eyes. The moment her eyes met, both of them shared a deep gaze. "I wish you a happy life, and I wish you always flourish like these flowers..."
Martha's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she gazed upon Amara.
The soft, elegant fabric draped gracefully around Amara, accentuating her beauty and radiance.
As Martha looked at her, it was evident that Amara held a special place in her heart, like a beloved daughter.
Martha's deepest wish was to see Amara forget her past and live happily.
Martha quickly tried to change the topic when she saw tears mirroring in Amara’s eyes. "Anyways, do you want chocolate or vanilla cake? Though I ordered both, I guess you’d like the vanilla one better." Martha turned around pretending to shuffle through clothes keeping her tears at bat.
Amara sniffed. And then she mumbled. “I can eat chocolate one too, you know.”
"Hahah… of course, my child. Both of them are for you.” Martha smiled adjusting Amara’s hair one more time. Amara twirled around.
“Should I wear a necklace? No, I think a pendant will be fine.
.." She nervously looked around for a piece of jewelry.
Would it be too much if she wore long earrings instead of these studs?
No, these were looking good. Amara contemplated with anxiousness while Martha just chuckled.
"Don't worry, Master Rafael won't mind even if you wear a potato sack.
He'd still find you attractive." Martha's words just heightened her uneasiness and she let out a stifled sigh.
"I just...it feels like I’m seeing him for the first time..." Martha hummed.
With a contemplative smile, Martha continued, "Love's unpredictability can be baffling, but it's those quirks that make it so unique.
Embrace these feelings, they're what adds depth and beauty to your relationship, creating something truly special.
More than husband and wife." She smiled looking at the distance as she remembered her late husband.
“Love is eternal, my child. And that's what makes it special.”
Amara froze. What was this feeling? Strange how Martha described the feeling, Amara wondered why she was thinking of Kaelith instead of Rafael.
"You're not making things easier, Martha!" Amara swallowed, her shoulders slugging as she wrinkled her nose at words. What was she thinking? Kaelith? She shouldn’t be thinking about him.
"Come, let's go," Martha said with sweetness in her voice. The high heels made her movements a little clumsy. Reaching down the stairs, Amara immediately was taken aback by beautiful decorations and a bewitching aura.
Amara opened her mouth wide, eyes broadened as she slowly descended the stairs unaware of the man standing at the foot of the stairs.
All it took was one look and Kaelith never realized white could look so pretty on anyone.
Who was he to blame? No wonder he was so head over heels for her.
He felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach with every step, time seemed to stop for a moment, and all he could focus on was her.
Just like a blooming flower in the first season of spring, she glowed like white rose petals under the sunny rays.
How could he breathe when she was looking like an angel descended from heaven taking his breath away?
The more he looked at her, the more he realized he needed to protect her. His gaze lingered on her for more than several moments.
Kaelith cleared his throat as Amara finally noticed him.
Her cheeks immediately finished as she nervously stood in front of him.
He could notice her playing with her fingers anxiously, the sloppiness of her shoulders.
He felt his heart beating faster than ever.
How could he be immune to this innocence?
As Amara's eyes fell upon Kaelith, dressed in a sleek black suit, her heart skipped a beat. His attire exuded an aura of dominance yet refinement. Under the warm, inviting glow of the lights, he looked irresistibly handsome. His hair gelled back and his forehead was exposed.
His grey eyes were a striking contrast to the dark suit, and they gleamed with an intensity that drew her in. At that moment, it was as if time had paused, and Amara was entranced by his presence. The room seemed to disappear, leaving only the magnetic allure of his eyes.
"Shall we?" He mumbled in his deep voice making her nerve wrecked and extended his hand.
Amara eyed his hand unsurely before placing her shivering ones on his.
Strangely she could feel the warmth and his touch brought her comfort.
For a moment she hadn't noticed anyone, but the moment Kaelith pulled her to his side, Amara stilled.
Slowly they moved to the dining hall.
Lush bouquets of vibrant flowers, including pastel peonies, adorned every corner, infusing the air with their sweet fragrance. Soft, twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and romantic glow over the room.
The dining table was a feast for the senses, a culinary masterpiece. It was loaded with an array of delectable dishes, from gourmet appetizers to luxurious main courses and an assortment of delicious desserts.
A massive banner hung proudly in the air, bearing the heartfelt message, "Happy Marriage Anniversary.
" It served as a focal point, a reminder of why she was dressed up and dolled up. An ache pierced her chest and her hand in Rhy’s felt so heavy.
She hated this feeling, feeling like something was missing within her.