Chapter 18

The room door opened with a gentle whisper. Not a sound could be heard, but upon closer inspection, he noticed her resting peacefully on the sofa. Their previous squabble had left her nearly breathless, her lip almost split from a biting remark. Now, she took a short moment to rejuvenate, surely preparing for another round of heated exchange later.

Raymond took a seat beside her, gently brushing her hair aside. Caroline was deep in slumber. The sight of her radiant face, adorned with the dramatic arch of her dark lashes, stirred a deep sense of admiration within him.

The vivid mark, still raw and red on her lip, brought a pang of guilt to Raymond. He tenderly brushed her hair away and, with utmost care, lifted Caroline into his arms. As he gently laid his “wife” down on the bed, her eyes fluttered open. Once, she was never this drowsy, but her pregnancy had her seeking rest frequently, even during the daylight hours. A mere few minutes would lull her into deep sleep.