Chapter 3. Meeting His One Mistake

"You believed what I claimed?" 

"Shouldn't I be when you trotted here after several years of silence?" 

She was speechless, with her eyes wide, staring at him.

"And I want to remind you that our marriage is legally binding and consummated by your choice, even though it was done by proxy." 

She rolled her eyes and glanced down the road to cover up the heat in her cheeks. When she managed to respond, she merely muttered, "It... that wasn't tallied. Before everything happened, we had already signed the documents, and it wasn't your fault. As you’ve said, it was my choice."

"And I could have refused," he retorted. She burned in his eyes.

"Can we not discuss it?" She avoided looking at him to cover up her humiliation. She didn't want to talk to him about what she had done in the past. Everything that had occurred was her idea. She struggled to despise him because of it, but she never regretted what she did since the outcome of her action made her life worthwhile to move on.

"Certainly. You're skilled at that, Rafa. Avoiding the topic that needs to be discussed."

 The accusation from the man caused Rafaella's mouth to open.

"You barged into the hotel and demanded my attention, but as we spoke, all you seemed to be doing was trying to hail a cab. Choose a side, Mrs. Latimer!" 

"All right, let's settle this once and for all."

"Join me, please." Once more, he held her arm firmly but without the force of the bruising. 

"In my opinion, we should not converse on the road."

Despite the strain, Rafaella retreated before realizing she was either caving in or being led away. 

"There is no way for us to leave this place. How is your fiancée?"

"I'm only talking to you about the status of something you claimed a while back," he replied. 

She saw a sleek black car, and Alexus walked toward it. H opened the door and led Rafaella to the front seat. There's still a faint scent of costly perfume in the air. Was it his fiancée or a different person? Before she could fasten the seatbelt, Alexus sat in the driver's seat and bowed in front of her, which caught her off guard.

"Impressive. Still a gentleman..."

He gave her a brief period of attention before carefully entering the traffic flow. "I don't recall ever making such a claim. Before, you didn't appear to care."

Nope, she wanted to say, although it was a one-sided desire. She adored his confidence just as much as she loved his physique body built. 

"Please bring my mother to me, drop me off at the hotel where I'm staying, and I'll take a cab to the airport," she said.

Instead of replying, he started to run the car. She was thrown against the door while waiting for him to turn the vehicle to the right.

"Wait, that's the wrong direction! Where are we going together?"

"Inside my home. Where else can I bring my wife?" He stressed the word "wife" with pursed lips. She swung the seatbelt around. "Stop the car right now. I'm leaving. You are utterly mistaken if you believe an illegal divorce provides you any rights." 

"Just shut up. Your action implies that you're worried we'll be left alone. You are protected from me, Rafa. So, relax. If you want to see your mother, then act properly."

"Latimer, you certainly have a short memory. Tonight, I tried to get you alone, but you refused." Her entire body becomes more and more enraged. 

"That was before I understood your desires."

She mocked, "I wouldn't have had to come if only you had answered my calls." 

As the car was being driven toward the garage across the big lawn, Alexus quietly got under the awning and stopped it.

"Walk with me. We can discuss it upstairs." He spoke before exiting the vehicle without giving her another glance and forcing her to choose. 

Rafaella paused briefly, then picked up her purse and shoes. She looked about the mansion, which she had never seen before.

Standing at the house's front door, Alexus turned to face the rear. And he was holding the door with one hand as she ran after him.

Without saying a word, he motioned her down a few steps into the living room.

She removed her shoes and let her tired, swollen feet fall onto a luxurious white fluffy carpet. The plushness of the rug appealed to her. She couldn't help but savor the comfort it gave to her legs by closing her eyes for a minute.

He was observing her with those unreadable eyes when she opened her eyes and realized where she was. She swallowed hard and pretended she didn’t notice how he looked at her.

"Do you want anything to drink? “Alexus made the offer when he sat in the sofa's corner across from her.

"Yes, please. Water will do, thanks," she darted him a smile. She tried to hide how uncomfortable it made her feel to be alone with him, knowing they were not legally separated.

He tapped the side table's button while nodding. He said, "Water here, please."

Rafaella heard the approaching footsteps a short while later. She peed at the older woman's recognizable face and noticed a modest smile on her lips.

She drank water from the crystal glass and quietly replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Woods." Their former governess gave her a satisfied smile once more, but Alexus interrupted. "Bring mom here if she's awake."

He received a nod from the governess before she discreetly walked away.

Rafaella gave him a big smile and said, "Thanks." Her happiness at seeing her mother was visible in her eyes.

"However, I don't believe hearing the sad news would benefit her condition. I advise you to remain here while I speak with the attorney who handled the matter.”

"The lawyer who is now your brother-in-law. Anyway, thank you for the offer, but I don't believe staying under one roof is a good idea," she added after clearing her throat.

"Considering that we are still married, why did you say that?"

"I don't want your fiancée to assume the worst and confront me. So, while waiting for the procedure, staying in the hotel where I booked is appropriate. Besides, the only thing binding us is the paper to finalize it. I deemed it finished when I didn't hear from you for a while." She spoke up.

"What about you, then? Is my brother still being pursued by someone? Are you safe there?" 

She purposefully lowered her eyes to her feet, partially hidden by the soft carpet's thickness. 

"No, there was no issue like that. Everything’s fine when he’s gone," she admitted, meeting his eyes." And living alone is safer."

"What are you saying?" 

"I don't think I can afford to put anyone's life in danger with the kind of job I had. I still have my doubts about safety. Nobody knows." 

"What?"

Rafaella was silent as she considered the implications of her words. "Considering what happened to your half-brother, it's wise to play it safe."

Alexus regarded her intently as if he was not convinced. His brows furrowed. "Is someone following you then? Are you in danger or something?"

She heard footsteps behind her before she had a chance to respond. She could not express how she was shocked when she spotted her mother seated in a wheelchair. She got to her feet. But at the same time happy to see her at last.

Alexus and Mrs. Wood quietly left the premises. Rafaella ran in a fit of emotion to hug her mother. "Mom?" She could not help sobbing. She didn’t care that she was seated on the hallway's chilly marble floor. Her attention was on her mother.

"I'm so glad to see you, Rafa," Mrs. Jones said gently. She softly stroked the face of her daughter. "You seem doing well."

“Yes, mom. I’m fine. “Despite her tears, Rafaella grinned and nodded. She kissed her mother's hand. "Mom, I missed you beyond words."

Mrs. Jones gave her daughter a sad grin as she stared at her. "I missed you too, honey. Whatever happened since your dad died, I still remember how we used to be, a happy family. And it would be great to see you both with your sister Cindy. I understand that she has her path to follow as you do. So never be sad on my behalf as I am happy where I am. Alexus is always there to assist me. So, please do not consider me but think about what is best for you. Have you heard from Cindy recently?"

"Sure, mom. She didn't want to return here yet but called twice recently to inform me she was fine." Her mother's eyes once more showed grief. "We fell apart as a result of your dad's disappearance. I appreciate Alexus' consideration and politeness toward me."

"Mom, I'm sorry for being a slacker. Since then, my life has been a total wreck, but I’m doing fine now. I wanted to take you with me, but I believe you are safer here than you are with me since Alexus is taking care of you. But you have my word that I will return to you, mom. As soon as everything is okay."

"Is there something bothering you, Rafa?"