CHAPTER 21
Kaelith watched as Amara walked beside Rafael towards the waiting car. The heavy suitcases were in Rafael’s hands as he stuffed them into the backseat. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, and Kaelith, standing by the front door of the mansion couldn't shake resentment oozing through Amara.
Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, avoiding eye contact with Kaelith. Rafael tried to offer a comforting smile, but it barely reached her troubled eyes. She hated knowing Kaelith did not care for her and it hurt her more realizing she was reading into things too much.
The engine of the car hummed softly.
Kaelith felt a knot tighten in his chest. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She looked so sad and writhed like a flower. Her fists were tightly clenched.
“I’ll send someone with her remaining stuff,” Kaelith murmured taking Amara’s attention. The woman looked so taken aback by his words. His voice so cold and distant Amara wondered if he was the same man who consoled her that night.
Feeling embarrassed, she cleared her throat. “You don’t have to…I don’t need anything.” She licked her lips the action caught Kaelith eyes as he pushed his hands into his pant pockets.
Rafael smirked.
“Then I’ll throw it away.” Kaelith causally shrugged his shoulders feigning ignorance to her pouty lips and teary eyes. Amara clenched her jaw.
“Do whatever you want.” She mumbled tears stinging her eyes and hearing his words. She hated him at that moment more than anything.
Martha watched from a distance with a heavy heart as Rafael helped Amara inside.
As they reached the car, Amara turned to Kaelith, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something. Yet, the words remained trapped, and with a brief, pained shaky breath, she took her eyes off him.
Rafael opened the car door for Amara, who hesitated before getting in, stealing one last glance at Kaelith. Her eyes spoke volumes, conveying a depth of emotion that was deeper than oceans and colder than the air around them. The car door closed with a soft thud, and the engine roared to life.
Kaelith watched as the car pulled away, his heart heavy with unknown feelings. He knew he hurt Amara more than he should, but it was necessary for what he planned for the future.
His eyes followed the car as long as it took a turn.
Kaelith stood there, a mix of emotions swirling within him for several moments before he fished out his phone and dialed Lorcan’s number. “Find out where Rafael is taking Amara.”
“What?! Rafael took Amara?!” Lorcan’s loud voice echoed in his ears as he pulled the phone away with a scrunch of his nose. His eyes stared at the front as he mumbled.
“Do what I said, Ambrose.” “Alright, captain,” Lorcan grumbled.
Kaelith hung up and looked up at the sky, the sun hiding behind the grey clouds.
Just a few more days, and he’d have his Angel in his arms. The Angel he desired selflessly and he’d walk he’ll for.
The only one he would get on his knees for and the only one he’d bring the world on the knees.
In past, Amara might be the woman who’ d die for Rafael.
But now, Kaelith just wanted her to live, for him.
******
Amara stared out of the car window, her gaze lost in the passing cityscape. The hum of the engine and the rhythmic beat of raindrops on the roof created a somber atmosphere to the storm brewing within her. Rafael gripped the steering wheel, casting glances at her, sensing the heaviness in the air.
Finally, breaking the silence, Rafael asked softly, "You seem distant, Amara. Is everything alright?" His eyes filled with concern and Amara felt bad for making him worry.
Her voice trembled as she responded, "It is…everything is alright." She looked out the window. She thought Kaelith would try to stop her. But…what was she even expecting?
Rafael's expression tightened as he let out a sigh. “I am your husband, Amara, you can tell me everything. We vowed to be each other’s shield and blade, to be with each other till death do us part. If you keep hiding things from me, how’s I know what you feel."
Amara licked her lips. That was the problem. Rafael was her husband. And she should tell me what was bothering her, but with Kaelith, he would’ve known everything without her telling him. And thinking about him pained her more.
Amara sighed, her fingers tracing patterns on the window. "I just wish … I know how life was before this."
Rafael's eyes moved to her as he tried to read her. "You wouldn’t want to know … ” he mumbled so softly even Amara didn’t hear him.
Rafael stole glances at her. His heart throbbed and his breaths became deeper, and he forgot how to breathe.
Every memory of the past haunted him as he looked at her.
The girl in front of him was no more the one he was falling for, but she was someone more enchanting and bewitching.
Despite regretting everything, he still wished she'd forgiven them after knowing everything he made her go through.
Look what he wanted, what he got.
The soft glow of the city lights and the horns pulled his attention.
Rafael's eyes were fixed on the road before him, but his thoughts wandered to Amara, who sat just a few inches away.
The repeated feelings of desire, quest, restlessness, and eager waiting mirrored the unspoken turmoil in his heart.
His fingers absentmindedly traced the edges of the steering wheel as he looked at her once again. His desire took over the dozen times but with a search for forgiveness, embodied in the stolen glances. Each gaze was a silent plea, his heart heavy with emotions he struggled to express.
He swallowed as his eyes traced down her body. She seemed to gain weight. She looked curvier and more delicate than earlier. Rafael's eyes lingered on her arms and his heart squeezed as he eyed the several faint scars and a large unmissable scar on her forehead from the accident.
As he lingered his gaze over the faint scars on Amara's skin, a kaleidoscope of emotions flickered in his eyes. A ravenous mixture of furiousness and concern swept across his face, the lines of his expression hardening with a deep frown.
He hated himself. And nothing bothered him any more than knowing he ruined her. He took his eyes off her and focused on the road at front. With jaw clenched tight and fists tightened, he pondered if he deserved her? Or Kaelith was right?
They drove for another hour before he pulled out in front of an apartment complex, he brought an apartment in for her.
The modern design is illuminated by soft evening light. Amara couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty of the building. Despite a lingering sadness, the allure of the surroundings left her momentarily entranced.